Cycling Italy’s Piedmont

Highlights: Provincial capital of Cuneo, Alpine views, Arione Bar and Confectionary, welcome dinner

Gather today in Cuneo, south of Turin. We’ll fit bicycles this afternoon, then you will be free to explore the town and to take a warm-up ride. Be sure to look up the Arione Bar and Confectionary, famous for its “cuneese al rhum,” a chocolate rum candy (Hemingway stopped by here to pick up some of these on a trip to Italy in 1954, the year he won the Nobel Prize.) This evening, we’ll celebrate the beginning of our tour with a traditional Piedmontese dinner together.

Highlights: Alpine scenery, the 19th century fortress of Vinadio, optional mountain ride

Your ride today follows the Stura di Demonte River valley to the fortress of Vinadio along an historic military road that has now become mainly a bike path. The Vinadio fortress was built by King Carlo Alberto of the house of Savoy in the 1830s and ’40s to protect the Piedmont from possible invasions from France. You’ll be back in Cuneo late afternoon to enjoy a stroll through town.

Highlights: Town of Bene Vagienna or Roman “Augusta Bagiennorum,” the Langhe wine region

Your ride today takes you through the countryside around the Roman city of Augusta Bagiennorum, founded in 25 BC as an important agricultural and economic trading center with the Ligurian Tribes of the Bagienni. Remains of the theater, the forum and other buildings are still visible from the road. A short climb will take you to Novello, where you have the first great views over the wine area of Langhe. Tonight you sleep in Monforte d’Alba, one of many picturesque wine villages in the Langhe region of Piedmont.

Highlights: Le Langhe wine region and wine villages, including Barolo, wine tasting, Grinzane Cavour

A loop ride today takes you through the vineyards of Le Langhe and the famous hills of the Nebbiolo grape. You’ll pass through the stunning landscape of La Morra, as well as vineyards around Barolo, Verduno and La Morra. The town of Barolo gives its name to Italy’s most famous wine. The Castle hosts an interesting ethnographic and wine museum. Further on along the loop, in Grinzane Cavour, a nice stroll around the castle ends at an open air vineyard museum offering great views over the surrounding vineyards. We’ll enjoy a wine tasting together this evening.

Highlights: Beautiful vineyard landscapes

Your ride today takes you through some of the most beautiful vineyard landscapes in Italy. If you are interested in wine we recommend a stop at the regional wine museum in Mango, home of the sweet and sparkling Moscato wine, before continuing on through Neviglie and Trezzo Tinella, villages of less than 500 inhabitants, on the way to Alba.

Highlights: Alba, Ferrero chocolates and visit to Coppo, one of Italy’s most famous vineyards, shuttle to Asti

You’ll want to take time to visit Alba before leaving this morning. Not only is Alba the capital of the Langhe wine region it is also home to Ferrero, the chocolate maker that manufactures Nutella and Kinder chocolate. From here you’ll pedal on to Canelli to visit one of the oldest and most famous wineries in Italy, Coppo. Enjoy the underground cellars and a wine tasting before shuttling on to our hotel in Asti, an elegant town famous for its architecture, wines and culinary traditions.

Highlights: Roero wine region, Govone Castle, Hilltop villages and countryside

Enjoy a rest in Asti today, exploring its lively medieval center with several of the historic “100 towers” that once characterized it. Alternatively, take a lovely loop ride into the nearby Roero and Monferrato hills, with views of vineyards, hilltop castle and villages and rolling scenery. Stop by Govone Castle, one of the royal palaces in the area and enjoy the views from its courtyard before heading back to Asti.

Highlights: Bon Voyage!

Your cycling tour of the Piedmont ends today but there is still much to see and enjoy in this area. Have fun exploring!