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"great wine, great
road" |
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.
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| June 11 - Overnight flight
to Milan.
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June
12 - 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.
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Roberto
Fossati of Villa Sparina |
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| June 13 - 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.
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Pierro Coppi
(Ann Petlin Photo) |
June 14 - 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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Carlo Zarri
(Jay Luedde Photo) |
June 15 - 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.
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Alta Langa |
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June 16 - 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 |
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Road to Barbaresco
(Jay Leudde Photo) |
June 17 - 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.
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Castello Santa Vittoria |
June 18 - 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.
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Hotel Ariotto |
June 19 - 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.
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| June 20 - Morning
airport shuttles.
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