Piedmont con gusto
Daily Schedule
Tour Dates & Cost
Walk, cycle and enjoy the comforts of our support vehicle as we explore
Piedmont, Italy’s most bountiful region. Glorious wines, powerful seasonal
cuisine – don’t miss this chance to get off the beaten track.
Piedmont is a land of plenty traversed by the mighty Po River, and
reaching the very summits of the Alps. It is bordered by both France and
Switzerland.
The region has frequently been under foreign domination, and castles
appear on nearly every hill. Many were built as early as the 10th century.
In 1860, Turin became the first capital of the united Italy, keeping this role
until 1865 when the capital became Florence, and then Rome in 1871.
The cuisine of Piedmont is mind-blowing! The "Slow Food" organisation (the opposite to fast food!) was born and nurtured in this area. The markets drip with wonderful fresh produce and the pasta is made slowly – by hand – and consumed with great enthusiasm, or gusto.
Interested in this tour? Contact Gail for more information.
Piedmont – Daily Schedule
Day 1
Meal/s included: DINNER
After lunch, arrive at either Asti or Alba and transfer to our accommodation
at Rocchetta Tanaro. Bikes are issued for those requiring them and we
start with an informal ride in the area, including a spin around the paths
in the nearby national park followed by a visit to a grissini maker and
the local vinoteca.
Dinner in the town at the famed local restaurant, Trattoria Il Bologna.
Day 2 – transfer day
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Transfer to Barolo. Today we head towards Nizza Monferrato, famed for gobbi – a relative of artichokes – grown for its stem and much-prized by local gourmets. Then we set out for Roccheta Palafea in the Monferrato hills. The ‘mothership’ will offer a smoother ascent of these hills – note the words of encouragement graffitied by supporters of the Giro d’Italia cycle race. Meet in Roccheta Palafea before our first picnic lunch.
Travel through moscato vineyards to the important wine town of
Canelli. After a guided tour to the 'underground cathedral', follow the
banks of the Belbo River to Santo Stefano Belbo. From here, take the
winding route over the hills to Mango, heading for the home territory
of the king of Italian wines – Barolo. Our home for the next three
nights is in a charming agriturismo.
Dinner tonight is in the time-honoured tradition of serving a series
of ‘dishes of the day’. One of the pasta courses is bound to be tajarin,
found only in this area.
Day 3
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Today, a local cycling enthusiast will lead us on a circuit ride through
the Barolo appellation on paths and small roads, passing through
a series of appealing villages. Take the chance to visit the local
Barolo enoteca towering over the town in the Falleti castello.
Vintage should be due to start any day now, so there should be a
formidable crop of nebbiolo grapes in the vineyards.
After lunch at a local trattoria, we will wend our way back to Barolo
for a quintessential Piedmontese experience – truffle hunting.
We meet a trifulau who will introduce us to his dogs and accompany
us on a search for the renowned white truffles of Alba.
Dinner tonight is your own choice and cost.
Day 4
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
After breakfast, we travel to Bra, hometown of the Slow Food Movement. Explore the specialist food shops for a picnic lunch.
Down to Pollenzo, housing the world’s first gastronomic university, the Slow Food Hotel and the Wine Bank. Every second year, a world cheese exhibition is held here. We will experience some traditional Piedmont medieval flag-throwing before returning to our accommodation.
Perhaps we will have time to visit the old city of Cherasco. The irresistible call of chocolate...
Take this unique opportunity to learn a few secrets of the Piedmontese kitchen.
Day 5 – transfer day
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
We transfer up the Tanaro River to Alba. Spend the morning exploring this ‘city of the 100 towers’, home of Italy’s best-known truffle market during October. Venture into the tented market with about 40 different stalls – then see the beautiful fashion shops, and chocolate makers among the most skilled in the world. Then over to the village of Barbaresco where the cellar master of Marchesi di Gresy, a New Zealander, will host us for a winery visit, tutored tasting and lunch.
Descend to our home for the next two nights, a small hamlet in the Roero zone. The owners of this handsome agriturismo offer a genuine style of yesteryear. From the hand-picking and trampling of grapes, hands-on cheese making and preserving, to the preparation of a seeming tonne of pasta per day, old methods are employed as much as possible. Dinner in the albergo – tasty food, wines from the property and wild mountain music.
Day 6
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Either bike into Alba to visit the market, the ‘pulsing heart of Alba’, or go
by mother-ship to Asti for the largest market in the region.
In the afternoon, take the chance to go further afield in the Roero, or hunt
down and test one of the reputed eateries in Alba.
Tonight, our arrivederci dinner is in traditional Piedmont style, pulling
out all the stops.
Day 7
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST
A final breakfast, off to the railway station or to the car hire centre for transfer to other parts of Europe, or, follow the active gourmet across the border to experience the foods, wines and customs of France, avec plaisir...
Barolo amongst the vines
Alba market
The streets of Barolo
Truffles from Alba market
Leaving Barolo
Tour Dates & Cost
Dates on application
NZ$5500 twin share or double basis
A single supplement applies (if you prefer an individual room)
Included in each 7-day tour:
Transportation
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Daily support vehicle (no panniers or backpacks needed).
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Luggage transfer between localities.
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Option to drive your own rental vehicle (surcharge applies).
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Any purchases you make in the markets and antique shops can
easily be transferred. -
Hire of quality mountain bikes (if required).
Accommodation
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Quality accommodation in properties of character, mostly with
private facilities. We stay two to three nights on average in each
place, using the base to explore the environs.
Food and wine
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Six gourmet dinners featuring the best of regional specialties –
not forgetting the special arrivederci feast on our final night. -
Five lunches including spectacular picnics.
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Several times you’ll get the chance to ‘follow-your-own-nose’ for
midday and evening meals. -
All breakfasts, including exquisite homemade preserves.
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Tutored wine tasting and special events.
Guidance
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An experienced facilitator with knowledge of the attractions, the people, and the history of the area.
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Our active gourmet tours offer a range of routes from undemanding to taxing, through the very heart of stunning countryside. High fitness levels aren’t essential though reasonable fitness is preferable.
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Pre-trip guidance (and cycle instruction is available if required).
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Daily briefing and guidance.
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Rest days and independent exploration possible (we supply very detailed maps which allow a choice of routes).
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Literature, including a detailed itinerary, clothing guide, use of large-scale maps of the area, and general advice on travelling in Europe.
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A sense of adventure is compulsory!
Exclusions
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Travel insurance (mandatory)
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Transfers and flights
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Castle and museum entry fees – you choose which to visit
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Gratuities (tips) and drinks
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Golf club hire and green fees, kayak hire where applicable
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Visas and passports (as necessary)
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Personal items, eg. laundry, telephone, internet charges
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Optional extras
A limited number of days available?
You can join in for a shorter time. We also offer associated walking or car itineraries for non-cycling partners.
Footnote: Please note that there may possibly be changes outside the organiser's control, such as fluctuations between the NZ dollar and the overseas supplier's currency, or changes in prices or services. Prices shown are correct as at July 2019. The organiser reserves the right to change any details in this outline, should this prove necessary, at any time until full payment is received.
See our FAQ page for more information or email Gail to book.
Turin in Piedmont
Alba market
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