Piedmont is known for the creation of the Slow Food Movement, white truffles and some of the most sought-after red wines in Italy, including the robust full bodied Barolo and Barbaresco. With the rugged Italian Alps as a back-drop, the quiet roads and rolling hills provide the ideal terrain for all levels of cyclists. On this trip there are opportunities to experience small villages, Roman ruins, medieval castles and superb cuisine as we journey through this delicious region.
Only Great Explorations:
L'Ostelliere Hotel, Frazione Monterotondo, Gavi, Province of Alessandria, Italy
Day 1+2
Acqui Terme, Province of Alessandria, Italy
Day 3
Neive
Day 4
La Morra, Province of Cuneo, Italy
DAYS 5+6
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| Apr 20-26 | Apr 19-25 |
| May 4-10 | May 3-9 |
| May 18-24 | May 17-23 |
| Jun 1-7 | Jul 31- Jun 6 |
| Jun 15-21 | Jun 14- 20 |
| Sep 14-20 | Sep 13-19 |
| Sep 21-27 | Sep 20-26 |
| Oct 5-11 | Oct 4-10 |
Trip can start at any date. Custom and self-guided trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
Total Days
Arrive/Depart
Activity Level50-65+km daily (30-40+ miles)
Van supported
TerrainModerate / Challenging
CostLand Cost:
US $3,150
Includes 6B/2L/5D
Single Supplement:
US $800
Bike Rental:
Hybrid Bike: US $320
Racing Bike: US $420
E-Bike Rental:
US $480
E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Getting There
The trip starts in Monterotondo near Gavi Ligure, accessible from Serravalle Scrivia by taxi. We recommend you fly into Turin and take the train to Serravelle (1hr 30). We’ll pick up at the train station in Serravelle for the 5 minute transfer to the hotel, our starting point.
Monterotondo
Your hotel is included on arrival day – we’ll start from the hotel in Monterotondo at 10:00 and depart on bikes. You’ll start your first day riding from Monterotondo to Gavi with its fortress style surroundings and its award winning white wines. Then it is on to Libarna to see remains of a Roman settlement and then cruise through the Val Borbera Valley. This valley is rich with abbeys, monasteries, towers, castles, and medieval villages. We will finish the day with a wine tasting at the ancient cellars of Villa Sparina, surrounded by over 100 hectares of vineyards. The L’Ostelliere Hotel boasts a spectacular setting amongst vineyards. We’ll dine at Il Gallina where chef Massimo Mentasi combines due respect for tradition with contemporary vision.
Distance: 11 up to 46 km, elevation gain up to 530 m.*
Fausto Coppi’s Piedmont
Next day is a tribute to Italy’s history of cycling and it’s legends. Ride in the birthplace of Fausto Coppi and Costante Girardengo, and visit the Museum of Cycling in Novi Ligure, the largest dedicated museum of its kind in Europe. Stopping in Castellania, we’ll enjoy a savory lunch and taste the famous cheese ‘Montebore’, which has been recently rediscovered and proclaimed the ambassador of Italian cheese by Slow Food International. After lunch we’ll ride past Villavernia and observe traditional farmhouses built from raw earth, typical of the Alexandrian plane. We’ll ride through Sant’ Agata Fossil, known for abundance of fossils and ride the rolling hills of Sandigliano which providing stunning views across the valley.
Distance: 18 km, elevation gain 150m or 75 km, gain 570m.*
Acqui Terme
Another day of beautiful rolling hills, valleys and spectacular views. We start the day riding towards Mornese and Castello di Tagliolo, which has an impressive history dating back to the end of the first millennium. Afterwards we’ll explore the region of ‘Capanne di Marcarolo’ Natural Park. Lunch will be in the town of Ovada, a Roman city located at the confluence of the Orba and Stura rivers. In the final stretch you can day dream about Acqui Terme, a spa town built over natural hot springs by the Romans.
Distance: 62 km, elevation gain 630 m or 93 km, gain 1200 m.*
Neive
After a restful stay in Acqui Terme, we embark on a ride dominant in two things; endless panoramic views and endless wine tasting. We’ll pass through the villages of Montabone and Rocchetta Palafea with a stop in the Brachetto and Moscato’s lands – an area known in Italia, and the world, for its sweet wine and medieval castles. In Canelli, we’ll visit the magnificent Underground Cathedral cellar, currently a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Since the pace of day usually slows down upon arriving in Canelli, we stop here for lunch, choosing the wonderful Enoteca Contratto restaurant where we’ll sample more wines from the region and taste the unique local flavors. After lunch, we ride on to Santo Stefano Belbo, then to our ultimate destination near Alba, Neive.
Neive is in the stunning Langhe area and identified in the grouping of villages titled ‘The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy’. This rich fertile area is where Barbaresco wine earns its reputation. The day will end with an unforgettable dinner at ‘La Luna Nel Pozzo’ restaurant, located in Neive’s old town. Experience organic and traditionally raised meats, as well as breads and pasta’s made with stone ground grains, regional cheeses and gelato, and of course the mouth watering local truffles.
Distance: 43 km, elevation gain 625 m.*
La Morra
After a much deserved sleep in, and overnight ‘fast’, we bid farewell to Nieve and make our way towards La Morra. Stops along the way include Barbaresco, a name synonymous with reds of the region, and its two distinct medieval villages. We’ll visit the ‘Enoteca regionale del Barbaresco, created to promote local wine production, displaying 112 different wineries, with 130 labels, representing over 90% of the area’s production. Taste, savor, linger and learn about everything this region has to offer. We’ll lunch in Alba, and afterwards continue to La Morra, situated atop an imposing ridge, La Morra overlooks, in one direction, the Po Valley with the Alps and the peak of Monviso as backdrop and, in the other, vine-clad hills which create a stunning amphitheatre. You’ll meet our friend and his furry best friend, as you explore and dig among the hazelnut groves for truffles. Dinner for the evening will be in a medieval castle, the ‘Belevedere’ restaurant, over looking one of the ‘natural balconies’, some say the most beautiful in Langhe.
Distance: 37 km, elevation gain 700 m.*
La Morra
As with most of our trips, we’ve saved the best for last. The second day you’ll ride along quiet winding roads between charming villages in the Barolo appellation, amid the immaculate hillside vineyards, where one of worlds most famous has been produced for two centuries. Explore medieval villages all set with a backdrop of the spectacular mountain peaks of the Alps. For keen followers of the ‘king of wines’, we’ll be stopping at the Falletti Castle in Barolo. The WiMu-Wine museum, provides an interactive display of culture and wine traditions designed by famed architect; François Confino. You’ll also learn about the French Marquise Juliette Colbert, the lady who created Barolo wine.
Our ride continues along the tiny roads between Monforte d’ Alba and Serralunga d’ Alba, settlements dating back to the Neolithic period with discoveries of Roman times. To finish the week, we will visit the La Morra’s Cantina Comunale, the town’s wine cooperative and if you feel energetic, a walk along the Sentiero del Barolo before a festive dinner out.
Distance: 57 km, elevation gain 840 m or 67 km, 1114 m.*
Depart
After breakfast, transfer to Bra or Asti’s train station. It is a 45 minute train trip back to Turin.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
The story of this property began in the 18th century, when part of the structure was a farming estate, built by the Marquis Franzoni of Genova. It is immersed in the vineyards of Monterotondo, in the very heart of the renowned Gavi area. The estate boasts large wine cellars dating back to the original date of construction, in pristine condition, testimony to the ever flourishing wine production right from the very beginning.
This 3-star hotel is in a beautiful building and the town of Acqui Terme is quite charming. This hotel has been in the same family for three generations and has been refurbished with its own spa on site.
Villa Lauri is situated in Neive, one of the most spectacular medieval Langa villages. The hotel is a restoration of an elegant mansion house (dating from the end of the 19th century) into a small charming hotel. The twelve rooms are elegantly furnished and equipped with all comforts.
This fine hotel sits in historic center of La Morra. Each room is original and refined, but with a subtle hint of the modern, creating an elegant atmosphere which blends seamlessly with the traditions of the Langhe.
Tour Reviews
The itinerary was well paced, challenged us at times but not all the time and took us through very interesting towns and countryside. The excursions were very well chosen and relevant.
Our Great Explorations adventure in Piemonte Italy was everything we hoped it would be and more! Everything was fantastic: the scenery, the guide, the food and, of course, the wine. We’re already looking forward to our next trip!
I loved the opportunity to see areas I would never get to by vehicle, the flexibility and Sabrina’s willingness to be available/supportive if we asked or to leave us to our own devices if we desired.
We have been taking these trips for 10 years. Best trip and best guide in region.
Leave a Review