Barolo Gastronomic Cycling

Start at the stunning 4-star hotel at Benevello. The Relais Villa d'Amelia is
a luxuriously restored 19th century family villa, equipped with a sauna,
jacuzzi, Turkish bath and a lovely outdoor swimming pool. The chef here was
trained under Marco Pierre White, so you're in for a treat tonight.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 2

*/Option: 1/*

You'll start today with a gentle ride along an open road, with hawks soaring
high above the breathtaking Langhe countryside. You visit lovely Mango, with
its beautiful castle rich in WW2 history. Then onto San Stefano Belbo, the
birthplace of one Italy's greatest writers, Cesare Pavese; the pretty old
town makes for a lovely lunch stop. Then it is on to Neive, where your cycle
ride will take you past the famous moscato vineyards before arriving at your
3-star hotel, which boasts wonderful views over the verdant hills with
vineyards cascading down.

*Comfortable Hotel*

 

*/Option: 2/*

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/*Distance - 76km, elevation: +1603m / -1935m*/

Leaving the hotel behind, you cross the Belbo Valley following tiny roads
with stunning views. After another climb you drop down to the town of Canelli
then cross the river at Santo Stefano Belbo. Beautiful roads then lead you to
Castiglione Tinella and onto Castagnole delle Lanze before following the
river to the famous wine town of Barberesco, just 5 km from your hotel. Maybe
take time for a well deserved glass of wine before heading to your hotel in
Neive for the next two nights.

Day 3

Neive is a great place to explore. Officially one of Italy's prettiest
villages and home of Romano Levi, a renowned grappa maker, you can wander its
cobbled streets which are lined with brightly coloured flower boxes, or after
a morning by the panoramic pool, cycle or take a local bus to nearby
Barbaresco for lunch and cheese-tasting in the piazza. Enjoy some wine in the
enoteca, housed in a C19 church built by the locals in thanks for a good
grape harvest! Or head across to the spumante capital of Asti, with its
quaint cobbled centre. Each September the main piazza is home to a crazy
palio horse race to rival Siena's!
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 4

 

*/Option: 1/*

Leaving Neive behind, you undulate through the vineyards to Castagnole Lanze
before heading downhill to the River Tanaro and a lovely gentle ride along
the river to Alba. There's time to explore the cobbled streets and bustling
piazze of chocolate-perfumed Alba (the home of Ferrero Rocher). Then it's on
to Grinzane Cavour where and the elegant Casa Pavesi.

*Comfortable Hotel*

 

*/Option: 2/*

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/*Distance - 76.3km, elevation: +1145m / -1146m
*/

From Neive, you soon cross the Tanaro river before heading to the undulating
Roero hills, passing a series of pretty villages. Baldissero, with its
beautiful castle and Medieval centre, is worth a stop. Cross the river once
more and, after a challenging climb, you come to the pretty wine village of
La Morra, another ideal wine stop before a long downhill to your hotel in
Grinzane Cavour.

Day 5

Explore the UNESCO-recognised castle and indulge in a spot of wine tasting
today. Then perhaps visit nearby Bra, a gastronomic town where the Slow Food
movement was initiated - there's plenty of choice for a long, lazy lunch.
There's lots to explore in the town too, including the 18th century Rococo
church and the strange octagonal Zizzola, where local witches held their
meetings. For the best views in the region, walk or cycle to La Morra,
'Balcony of the Langhe', spread out along a panoramic ridge above the
vineyards.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 6

 

*/Option: 1/*

Today's cycle takes you through sunflower fields to Roddi, then on to Barolo,
an ochre-hued village perched above its world-famous vineyards. The tangle of
mediaeval streets are dominated by the Marchesi Falletti's 11th century
castle. Pedal on through archetypal Langhe countryside to Monforte d'Alba,
whose lovely honey-coloured old town clings enchantingly to the hillside.
Your hotel here is special too.

*Comfortable Hotel*

 

*/Option: 2/*

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/*Distance - 78.2km, elevation: +1386m / -1118m
*/

After leaving the hotel, you are immediately cycling through vineyards as far
as the eye can see. Pass the Castiglione Falloetto and then into world famous
Barolo. The small roads lead you through a series of small towns and as you
arrive at Fossano, home of the best beef in Piemonte, continue passing
hazelnut groves with great views all around. Stop off in Bene Vagienna for
its impressive castle. The road now passes a series of wine towns arriving at
Dogliani before climbing up through the vines to your hotel in Monforte
d’Alba for the next two nights.

Day 7

Either relax at the gorgeous 18th century villa hotel with private swimming
pool, or explore mediaeval Monforte. It's a lovely town with attractive
buildings grouped around an atmospheric cobbled piazza. Maybe strike out a
little further to Dogliani, dominated by its beautiful onion-domed church and
famous for being at the heart of Dolcetto wine production.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 8

*/Option: 1/*

The final cycling day starts with a gentle coast along the Rea valley before
a steady climb takes you to a stunning panoramic ridge. Weave through fields
of wildflowers and sleepy hamlets to Serravalle Langhe, a great lunch spot
with belvedere views. Pedal onwards alongside chestnut-carpeted hills with
delightful vistas to reach the beautiful country hotel at Benevello. There's
time to enjoy the pool and Jacuzzi before dinner.

*Comfortable Hotel*

 

*/Option: 2/*

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/*Distance - 65.6km, elevation +1370m / -1300m
*/

Your last day takes you on stunning small roads passing up and over the
Langhe hills, passing through a mix of vineyards and hazelnut groves. Ride
through a series of small towns, but today is all about the winding roads and
views as you head back to Benevello. Maybe stopping at the big green bench to
admire the views before your last night at Villa d’Amelia!

Day 9

The trip ends in Benevello.