Turin Airport (TRN) is situated 16km northwest of the city in the heart of Piedmont and is well-served by flights from a variety of regional airports. From here you’ll be whisked away to Asti, the starting point of your adventure, approximately a one hour transfer.

A local representative will conduct a bike fitting (if renting) and your welcome meeting. It’s a good chance to ask any questions you may have about the week ahead.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 820 Metres Approx

For your first ride, you head north into the Monferrato hills which spread out to the east of Turin. Combined with the Langhe and Roero territories, the cultural landscape of the Monferrato is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, your loop ride will explore a series of small, panoramic roads, leading you through cultivated fields and past numerous small villages which dot the countryside. From Asti, you then head west along the valley of the Borbore, before turning north into the hills.

Your destination this morning is the medieval hamlet of Cocconato, which you will reach only after having conquered the steepest climb of the day which leads straight into the village. Due to its mild climate, Cocconato is often dubbed ‘the Riviera of the Monferrato‘. Each year, as September winds down, its neighbourhoods, or rioni, face off in the Palio degli Asini, a humorous parody of Siena’s grand Palio. The twist? Forget horses, these jockeys race on donkeys!

From Cocconato you head east, then south again heading to the village of Murisengo and its 16th century castle, now a private property, dominated by the imposing crenelated tower. You can stop near the village for lunch.

The final stage of today’s ride leads you back to your accommodation in Asti. Enjoy a relaxing walk around the town centre or a visit to the Duomo, before sitting down for an aperitivo Asti style. There are plenty of lovely local trattoria or osteria to choose from for dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 800 Metres Approx

Leaving Asti, you once again head north into the Monferrato hills. Shortly after leaving the town, the roller-coaster route leads you from one little village to the next, taking in the dramatic panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Before long, you find yourselves passing through the village of Calliano Monferrato and its Barbera and Grignolino vineyards.

Heading further up into the Monferrato hills, you can stop for coffee in the hilltop village of Moncalvo. The rich history of this rural village is still very much in evidence by the imposing remains of the medieval castle and the many 17th and 18th century ‘palazzi’ (palatial villas) which dot the cobbled streets.

The territory of Moncalvo is also home to extensive vineyards producing well known wines such as the Barbera d‘Asti DOCG, as well as thick crops of hazelnut trees.

Later you pass through the hamlet of Frassinello Monferrato where you may briefly stop to admire the castle perched above the village centre, before arrival at Vignale Monferrato. This tiny village of less than 1000 inhabitants, is home to one of the Monferrato’s most important enoteche (wine seller), a grand 15th century palazzo sporting a wide selection of valuable local wines.

Soon after, whilst navigating the cycle way of the Circuito degli Infernot, you’ll reach a panoramic view point surrounded by vineyards. The Infernot are large underground cellars carved out in the bedrock, near or directly under the local houses, often used as pantries. Several of these are now transformed into wine cellars and are open for the public to visit.

Shortly before descending onto the town of Alessandria, today’s destination, you can make a short detour to the medieval Torre Paleologa of San Salvatore Monferrato, to enjoy one last panoramic view of the Monferrato hills through which you have been riding for the last two days. The city of Alessandria is located along the Tanaro River and is famed for its 18th century star-shaped Cittadella fortress. It is also an important agricultural and industrial centre and the home of the Borsalino hat factory, whose hats became famous through Hollywood, worn by iconic figures such as Al Capone and Michael Jackson and used in films like Casablanca.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 685 Metres Approx

Bidding farewell to Alessandria, you head south along the valley of the Bormida river, slowly making your way up into the hills of the Alto Monferrato. After passing the village of Castellazzo Bormida, you climb to the hamlet of Mombaruzzo where you can stop to enjoy a coffee and sample the Amaretti of the Antica Fabbrica Amaretti, one of several producers of this local take on one of Italy’s famed biscuits.

A short descent follows, dropping you into the valley, dominated by vineyards as far as the eye can see, leaving you in no doubt that you are deep in the heart of wine country. A continuous 7 Kms climb coaxes you up to the highest point of the day, Alice Bel Colle, where you are treated to stunning 360 degree views of the vineyard covered hills. The surrounding vineyards produce not only Moscato and Barbera, but also less well known wines such as Brachetto and Dolcetto.

Bel Colle means ‘Beautiful Hill’ and it is easy to see why the hamlet was named so. The beautifully coloured church of San Giovanni Battista is worth a visit, as is the belvedere, a short climb away and one of the area’s most spectacular view points.

After leaving Alice Bel Colle behind, the sweeping roads take you past more lush vineyards before you reach your accommodation for the night in Acqui Terme, a quiet provincial town, famous for its thermal springs. On your way to dinner, you can pay a brief visit to La Bollente (lit. the boiling, the scalding), a white marble monument built on top of a thermal spring, from which flows hot (75 degrees celsius) water.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,180 Metres Approx

Today you leave Alto Monferrato behind and make your way into the Langhe region, to the west of Acqui Terme. Here you’ll be cycling from one famous wine producing village to the next, including Canelli, Barbaresco and Alba. As you set off from Acqui Terme, almost immediately you begin climbing to Montabone, followed shortly by a swift descent to the little town of Canelli, an ideal coffee stop. Canelli has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2014, and preserves four enormous underground cellars, some of which are 32 m deep and up to 20 km in length, often referred to as ‘underground cathedrals‘, where millions of bottles of wine are left to age at a constant temperature of 12 to 14 degrees Celsius.

As you continue, you head higher, into the Langhe hills as you make your way to the village of Mango which with Canelli, is one of Italy’s main producers of Moscato wine. After a closer look at the local castle which houses the local regional enoteca, you descend again, now entering the Barbaresco wine region.

After taking in the charm of picture-perfect Neive, your ride continues to the fortified hamlet of Barbaresco, where the entire village and its residents, following family traditions that span centuries, are dedicated to wine production.

Finally you arrive in Alba: the capital of the white truffle area, also nicknamed the town of a hundred towers. Only a few of the fine red-brick towers survive, giving the town its distinctive appearance. Of Celtic and Ligurian origin, called Alba Pompeia by the Romans, the town has kept to a spiral-shaped medieval plan.

For those who love truffles, this is the evening to indulge in exquisite dishes where truffle is the key ingredient.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,100 Metres Approx

You begin with a gentle climb up to Verduno, known for its Barolo and Pelaverga grapes, before heading on to La Morra. In addition to the expansive vineyards, abundant apricot and peach orchards provide the setting for this lovely ride as you gradually continue onwards and upwards.

La Morra, often referred to as the ‘balcony of the Langhe‘, offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the surrounding region. Historical records reveal that Nebbiolo grapes, used today to craft prestigious Barolo, Barbaresco, and Nebbiolo wine, were being cultivated as far back as 1402.

Next you arrive in Barolo, a modest village that has given its name to one of Italy’s most prestigious wines. The castle of Barolo is home to a unique wine museum and is well worth a visit. Continuing on you’ll reach the charming hamlet of Monforte d‘Alba.

This afternoon, you’ll cycle through Serralunga d‘Alba, another charming village crowned with a striking castle and recognised as a key site in Barolo wine production. From here, only the climb to Diano d‘Alba separates you from your return to the town of Alba. You’ll arrive with enough time to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the historic centre, followed by a well-earned aperitivo before settling in for dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 730 Metres Approx

Today marks your final day in the saddle as you make your way back to Asti, passing through yet another distinct wine region. Heading north, you’ll cross the Tanaro River valley, the natural divide between the Langhe and Roero wine areas. You’ll then ascend to the high plateau of the Roero, renowned for cultivating the Arneis grape. This white variety was nearly lost to time, until a local priest from the village of Santo Stefano Roero rallied nearby farmers to help preserve the last remaining clones, ensuring its survival.

Upon reaching the plateau, one picturesque hamlet follows another, beginning with Santo Stefano di Roero before descending toward Monta and the delightful town of Canale, known not only for its excellent wine production but also celebrated for its delicious peaches.

Continuing further north, you arrive in Govone, a small town with Roman roots, best known for the Castello Reale, one of the many Savoy residences recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can take a little time to explore the richly decorated castle and enjoy a coffee before beginning your gentle descent, accompanied by sweeping views over the Tanaro River valley, all the way back to Asti.

Dinner tonight won’t be complete without with a glass or two of the beloved Piedmont wines you’ve come to know so well over the past days.

• Meals: Breakfast

After a relaxed breakfast, you’ll be transferred approximately one hour to Turin Airport for your onward journey. Alternatively, you might choose to extend your stay and further explore the region, perhaps savouring a few more glasses of its renowned wines and delicacies.