Paradise in Piedmont ~ June
9-18, 2010 ~ $4195
If ever there was
a trip for lovers of
Italian food, wine and cycling - this is it. Piemonte restaurants regularly feature several hundred wines -- most of them
local. Barolo and Barbaresco are not just the names of great
wines -- they are real towns that we will explore. From the autostrada, Piemonte looks like nothing more than
a flat patchwork of rice paddies and wheat fields, but turn off the
highway and just past Bra, the flatland falls away to a landscape of rolling hills, dotted by castles, and covered in
vineyards. You'll feel
as if you've discovered your own private Tuscany -- except there are
fewer tourists, quieter roads, a greater variety of wine and richer
culinary heritage.
June
9 - Overnight
flight to Milan.
June
10 - Benvenuto! We’ll
pick you up at Malpensa and shuttle you to Hotel Ariotto, in the
Monferrato hills. Assemble your bike and take a test ride through rolling
wine country or visit with
new friends at the panoramic
pool before our sumptuous
welcome dinner.
June
11 - The
Roads of Champions await
as we depart Ariotto among rolling hills, then string together
historic villages in the Po river valley on our way to the historic
wine town of Gavi. A shady road carved into a verdant hillside leads
us to l’Ostellerie, a charming
lodging nestled into the
famous Villa Sparina wine
estate. Take in the peaceful
vineyard vista before we
gather for a welcome drink
and authentic local cena.
June
12 - Make
a pilgrimage to Fausto
Coppi's birthplace over
the "Strade Coppi"
- hometown training
roads
of the Campionissimo
himself. We’ll visit
the monument and reliquary and perhaps be greeted by town mayor (and
Coppi’s first cousin) Piero.
After lunch at a
local trattoria we’ll
return to the hotel, then head to nearby Novi for a tour of the Museum
of Champions and an open
night for dinner in the historic center. |
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Piero
Coppi
(Ann Petlin photo)
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June
13 - Breakfast
with a view begins
this busy day. Our ride begins
on the rollercoaster roads of the Alto Monferrato then crosses into
Le Langhe. Two peaceful but
challenging climbs then take
us to the walled hamlet Roccaverano,
famous for its robiola cheese.
A wild descent
lands us in Cortemilia at Villa San Carlo where our enthusiastic host,
Carlo Zarri, will show off the flavors of his region at our dinner
in the garden. (To the left is a picture of Carlo pouring the wine.)
June
14 - The
switchback climb to Mombarcaro is
among the steepest roads
we've seen. It's just one
of the features of today's
scenic loop along the
crestline roads of Alta Langa. Pause for an outdoor lunch then return
to the hotel in time to relax
with a book in the hotel's
poolside garden. Open night
to discover more local specialties
either with Carlo
or in the nearby artistic village of Bergolo.
June
15 - Barbaresco
is a name synonymous with
great wine,
it is also a charming town
that makes a perfect stop
on today's winding
route through the heart of Piemonte wine country. Visit the enoteca
housed in a beautifully
frescoed church and sample
the local nectar. Spend
the afternoon winding through
the rolling hills of Roero,
before a final uphill push takes you to our Castle-hotel in Santa
Vittoria d'Alba where we'll enjoy a group dinner on the panoramic
terrace overlooking wine country.
June
16 - Today's
route winds through Barolo
country,
visiting the town itself
and rolling by most of the
famous vineyards. Stop at
the Trattoria d'Amicizia
for lunch of local meats
and
cheeses with "Papa's" own Dolcetto, or browse the museum
of wine and truffles at the castle-enoteca in Grinzane Cavour. Make
an afternoon visit to Atlante - among the best bike
shops in Italy. Cap the evening with dinner in a traditional osteria.
June
17 - Cruise
the crests of scenic Tanaro
Hills as
we head north through Roero and into Monferrato, a quiet farm country
of gentle hills typical in every way except that the farmers grow
grapes for some of the best wines in the world. You'll recover quickly
from the challenging ride
as you relax with a refreshing
glass of Malvasia in our
hotel's shaded courtyard
before sampling the incredible Carpaccio Ariotto and Risotto
al Tartufo Chef Garrone has prepared for our group dinner.
June
18 - Morning
airport shuttles.
Reserve Your Space!
Elevation Profile
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