Italy's Piedmont region is surrounded on three sides by a great arc of the Alps as they rise out of the Mediterranean Sea and curve north and east through France, Switzerland and Italy to Austria. Within this great curve of mountains the Po River rises, forming a broad, fertile plain that forms Italy's longest river flowing into the Adriatic Sea. It was in the western part of this valley that the Kings of Savoy built castles and fortified cities to protect wine merchants from intrusions by marauding pirates. And it was here that Count Camillo Cavour first proposed the idea of a unified Italian state. The food, the history and the landscape make the Piedmont an ideal destination for cyclists. This cycling tour through the Piedmont region and the Lakes District tour combines the best of Italian and French cuisine and wine with scenic pedaling through rolling hills dotted with vineyards and castles.
* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.
Piedmont Vineyards and wine tastings, Gourmet regional cuisine, Guided visit of Bene Vagienna Archaeological site, multiple 2-night stays, Langhe area famous for its wine, cheese and truffles
Includes
8 days, 7 nights' accommodation; meals as noted in itinerary; 2 wine tastings; guided visit Bene Vagienna Archaeological site; and the usual (see below).
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
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.
DAY 2: Cycle deep into the Alps along an Alpine Valley
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 small town of Bene Vagienna as you follow an ancient Roman road. We'll have a light lunch and guided visit of the large archeological park of Augusta Bagiennorum. Tonight we will be in Monforte d'Alba, one of many picturesque wine villages in the Langhe region of Piedmont.
DAY 4: Loop ride to the wine villages of Serralunga, La Morra and Barolo
Highlights: Le Langhe wine region and wine villages, including Barolo, wine tasting
A loop ride today takes you through the vineyards of Le Langhe and the famous hills of the Nebbiolo grape. Along the route you'll pass through the stunning landscape of La Morra, as well as vineyards around Barolo, Verduno and La Mora. The town of Barolo gives its name to Italy's most famous wine. The village has an interesting ethnographic and wine museum to visit. We'll enjoy a wine tasting together this evening.
DAY 5: Bicycle from Monforte d'Alba to the town of Alba
Highlights: Beautiful vineyard landscapes, regional wine museum
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 before continuing on through Neviglie and Trezzo Tinella, villages of less than 500 inhabitants, on the way to Alba.
DAY 6: Ride from Alba to Canelli for a winery visit shuttle to Bistagno
Highlights: Alba, Ferrero chocolates and visit to Coppo, one of Italy's most famous vineyards
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 Rocher, 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 a wine tasting and lunch before shuttling on to our hotel in Bistagno.
Our destination today is Asti, an elegant town famous for its architecture, wines and culinary traditions. Along the way you'll pass through Monastero Bormida, founded by a grou pof Benedictine monks around 1050. The current castle correspond to the site of the original monastery. Next up -- the rich vineyards of Canelli and the Moscato grape, which is believed to be the birthplace of the Italian sparkling wine "Asti Spumante".
Your tour starts with a complimentary ExperiencePlus! shuttle pick-up at 11 am. The meeting place is the cafe-bar "Roma già Talmone" right by the Torino Porta Nuova train station, where you can grab a snack for the drive. The drive will take 1.5 hours. Your spot on the shuttle is already reserved for you.
If you cannot make the shuttle, you will be responsible for your own transportation to Cuneo (1-1.5 hours by train, or private transfer through hotel, around EUR 130.)
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying into the Turin Airport (TRN).
Arriving at Torino Airport and continuing to the train station:
Read through your Reservation Confirmation and After you Book Information (link sent to you by e-mail), it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country.
Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
Begin your chosen training program.
Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.
We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).
Day of Your Flight
Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!
What to Expect on Tour
Classic Tour Style
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic page.
Scenery was spectacular. Especially liked riding through the vineyards and the old villages. It was a great experience and hopefully I can book another tour in the future.
Ray A., Firestone, CO
Keep doing what you do, it is superior. The outstanding features are your guides, chalk marking, quality bikes.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle
Mountainous
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