Cycling the Wine Villages of Piedmont

You’ll start today with a gentle ride along an open road, with hawks soaring high above the breathtaking Langhe countryside. You visit lovely Mango, with its beautiful castle rich in WW2 history. Then on to San Stefano Belbo, the birthplace of one Italy’s greatest writers, Cesare Pavese; the pretty old town makes for a lovely lunch stop. On the way to Neive, your cycle ride takes you past the famous Moscato vineyards before you arrive at your hotel, which boasts wonderful views over the verdant hills with vineyards cascading down. (Staying at Hotel Villa Lauri, Breakfast only) RIDE PLUS – 76km / 47mi Leaving the hotel behind, you cross the Belbo Valley following tiny roads with stunning views. After another climb you drop down to the town of Canelli then cross the river at Santo Stefano Belbo. Beautiful roads then lead you to Castiglione Tinella and onto Castagnole delle Lanze before following the river to the famous wine town of Barberesco, just 5 km from your hotel. Maybe take time for a well deserved glass of wine before heading to your hotel in Neive for the next two nights.

Neive is a great place to explore. Officially one of Italy’s prettiest villages and home of Romano Levi, a renowned grappa maker, you can wander its cobbled streets that are lined with brightly-coloured flower boxes, or after a morning by the panoramic pool, cycle or take a local bus to nearby Barbaresco for lunch and cheese-tasting in the piazza. Enjoy some wine in the enoteca, housed in a C19 church built by the locals in thanks for a good grape harvest! Or head across to the spumante capital of Asti, with its quaint cobbled centre. Each September the main piazza is home to a crazy palio horse race to rival Siena’s! (Staying at Hotel Villa Lauri, Breakfast only)

Leaving Neive behind, you undulate through the vineyards to Castagnole Lanze, before heading downhill to the River Tanaro to enjoy a lovely gentle ride along the river to Alba. There’s time to explore the cobbled streets and bustling piazze of chocolate-perfumed Alba (the home of Ferrero Rocher). Then it’s on to Grinzane Cavour where a warm welcome awaits at the elegant Casa Pavesi. (Staying at Casa Pavesi, Breakfast only) RIDE PLUS – 76km / 47mi Leaving the hotel you soon cross the Tanaro river before heading to the undulating Roero hills, passing a series of pretty villages. Baldissero with its beautiful and castle and Medieval centre is worth a stop. Before crossing the river once more and a challenging climb to the pretty wine village of La Morra, another ideal wine stop before a long downhill to your hotel in Grinzane Cavour.

Explore the UNESCO-recognised castle and indulge in a spot of wine-tasting. Then perhaps visit nearby Bra, a gastronomic treasure trove where the Slow Food movement was initiated – there’s plenty of choice for a long, lazy lunch! There’s lots to explore in the town too, including the C18 Rococo church and the strange octagonal Zizzola, where local witches held their meetings. For the best views in the region, walk or cycle to La Morra, ‘Balcony of the Langhe’, spread out along a panoramic ridge above the vineyards. (Staying at Casa Pavesi, Breakfast only)

You’ll cycle first through sunflower fields to Roddi, then on to Barolo, an ochre-hued village perched above its world-famous vineyards. The tangle of mediaeval streets are dominated by the Marchesi Falletti’s C11 castle. Pedal on through archetypal Langhe countryside to Monforte d’Alba, whose lovely honey-coloured old town clings enchantingly to the hillside. Your hotel here is special too. (Staying at Villa Beccaris, Breakfast only) RIDE PLUS – 78km / 48mi Leaving the hotel you are immediately passing vineyards as far as the eye can see, you pass the Castiglione Falloetto and then into world famous Barolo. The small roads lead you through a series of small towns and as you arrive at Fossano, home of the best beef in Piemonte, continue passing hazelnut groves with great views all around. Stop off in Bene Vagienna for its impressive castle. The road now passes a series of wine towns arriving a Dogliani before climbing up through the vines to your hotel in Monforte d’Alba for the next two nights.

You might not want to leave your gorgeous C18 villa hotel with private swimming pool, but it’d be a shame not to explore mediaeval Monforte. It’s a lively town with attractive buildings grouped around an atmospheric cobbled piazza. Maybe strike out a little further to Dogliani, dominated by its beautiful onion-domed church and famous for being at the heart of Dolcetto wine production. (Staying at Villa Beccaris, Breakfast only)

Your final cycling day starts with a gentle coast along the Rea valley before a steady climb takes you to a stunning panoramic ridge. Weave through fields of wildflowers and sleepy hamlets to Serravalle Langhe, a great lunch spot with belvedere views. You pedal onwards alongside chestnut-carpeted hills with delightful vistas once more to reach your beautiful country hotel at Benevello, where you can enjoy the pool and Jacuzzi. (Staying at Villa d’Amelia, Breakfast only) RIDE PLUS – 66km / 41mi Your last day takes you on stunning small roads passing up and over the Langhe hills, passing through a mix of vineyards and hazelnut groves. Passing through a series of small towns, but today is all about the winding roads and views as you head back to Benevello. Maybe stopping at the big bright green bench to admire the views! Before your last night at Villa d’Amelia.

Please note that between 2 July and 8 July 2018 the Collisioni Festival will be held in the town of Barolo. The area will be busier and entrance fees (payable locally) may apply. Your holiday representative will provide further information locally.