Touring Piedmont: Langhe and Monferrato, food, wine and poetry…

The Langhe area, in Piedmont, north west of Italy, offers a variegated and rolling scenery. Castles and towers, cellars and flavours, hazelnut groves and vineyards. In every season Langhe reserve amazement and wonders.
Our tour starts in Canelli, the capital of Moscato, a sweet and gentle wine with scents and hints of Spring. Here we visit a beautiful social reality that combines the history of local products with the story of people who come from distant continents.
Then the hamlet of Bubbio awaits us for a tasting of Alta Langa wines. In Murazzano we discover stories of solidarity, literature and good food in a small village. One day is dedicated to the environment with a visit to a WWF reserve and a walk in medioeval Roccaverano to savour the famous Robiola cheese. Langhe are not only gastronomy, wines, nature and colours, it is also a land of great authors, such as Cesare Pavese who wrote about the peasant identity and the stubborn pride of working the land. In Santo Stefano Belbo, his native village, we will visit his house and listen the stories of his life.
Not to be missed is Acqui Terme, with its thermal baths known since Roman age, renowned for its excellent pastry that we cannot fail to taste!
Aromas, flavours and colours of this corner of Piedmont will not let us indifferent.

Touring Piedmont: Langhe and Monferrato, food, wine and poetry…
Photo by Andrea Cairone on Unsplash
divisorio

The travel day by day

Itinerary in Piedmont

Day 1

Meeting in Canelli. We start our tour by visiting the town. We are in the capital of Moscato and sparkling wine and we have the possibility to enter the historical cellars, excavated in tuff rock, known as “underground Cathedrals” and part of the Unesco World Heritage.
Transfer to Bubbio, check-in at the hotel. Accommodation in double or single rooms with private bathroom.
We reach now a family run winery famous for having obtained the first certification for organic grown grapes. An excellent welcome dinner awaits us, carefully prepared with local selected products by the “agrichef” Paola.

Day 2

Murazzano is the place we visit today. Here we meet a very interesting social reality involved in inclusion projects.
We then visit small villages scattered on hills and stop where the great author Beppe Fenoglio set his works. In one of these villages we will enjoy an aperitif on top of an ancient tower with a wonderful panorama and have dinner on a terrace, where we will appreciate traditional dishes and an excellent glass of wine, as red Dolcetto or sparkling Alta Langa.

Day 3

Today we set out to discover one of the WWF naturalistic oasis. Here numerous species of wild orchid grow. Woods, vineyards and old farmhouses make the scenery unique, and create harmony between nature and human activities. A delicious picnic with Langhe specialties awaits us after the pleasant visit. In the afternoon we move to Roccaverano, the small capital of the Langa Astigiana. The town stands on an isolated hill. On clear summer days you can see the Ligurian Sea from the high tower. We stroll around the alleys, every house, door and church tells a story. Roccaverano is famous for the robiola, the local goat cheese. We visit a small producer and taste the special robiola. We return to Bubbio in time for dinner.

Day 4

Today we go to Santo Stefano Belbo. A coffee break in a historic bar in the main square takes us inside the soul of the town. Cesare Pavese, one of the greatest Italian writers and poets of the 1900s, was born here. We walk towards the Cesare Pavese Foundation, where a guide we accompany us to the discovery of Cesare Pavese, his life and his work. Lunch is in an excellent restaurant with a Langhe menu. After lunch we immerse ourselves in the Pavesian paths, with readings in some of the places he wrote about.
At sunset we enjoy a wine tasting at a small local producer. Sipping the “nectar of the gods” we admire the sunset over the hill alla round and thier perched hamlets.

Day 5

Our holiday ends here. After breakfast a last stroll around Bubbio with the possibility of buying local pastry specialties.

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO CONTINUE THE TOUR HERE ARE 2 DAYS OF FURTHER VISITS:

We start our day with a walk in the vineyards and a visit to a “open air” modern art exhibition. We return for lunch at the farmhouse. The afternoon is free for those who want a walk, a ride, or a hike, or just rest in the garden of our countryhuse hotel ther’s plenty of possibilities.

Day 6

Today we head to discover a off-the-beaten track are: leaving the Langhe we enter the Monferrato area. Here we taste local products based on hazelnuts and local wines. We go up to a panoramic point from which you can enjoy a breathtaking 360 ° view. After lunch we go to Acqui Terme. Famous since Roman age for its steaming waters, set like a rare jewel among vineyards and landscapes. Acqui Terme is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014 for its breathtaking beauty in the Alto Monferrato area.
We visit the imposing Roman aqueduct that stands out along the course of the Bormida river.
A stop for a typical pastry tasting will help us to continue our visit to the city.

Day 7

Our holiday ends here.

Travel information

This programme may be subject to change, both before and during the trip, depending on weather conditions, national holidays, personal needs of the travelers and of the hosts

Local representative

We will be accompanied by Stefano, cultural mediator, and Valeria, tour leader and founder of Italian Steps (Partner of ViaggieMiraggi ONLUS).

Level of difficulty

The tour does not present difficulties, it is particularly suitable for families and is accessible to travelers of all ages in good health. However, the presence of some architectural barriers can hinder the participation of people with mobility difficulties.

Available dates

This program is available all year round. Dates to be agreed. For more information see the document How we travel, which can be consulted on the website or requested directly from the agency.

Prices

Rates per person for the 5-day tour for a group of:

Individual rate in euros
8 people6 people4 people2 people
Adults470,00540,00665,00710,00

 

Rates per person for the 7-day tour for a group of:

Individual rate in euros
8 people6 people4 people2 people
Adults645,00795,00870,00930,00

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THE PRICING TAB YOU MAY CONTACT THE AGENT

What is included:

  • overnight accommodation in a double room with private bathroom. Breakfast included
  • welcome dinner (except drinks)
  • local transport as scheduled
  • guided tours and museum admission fees
  • 2 wine and local products tasting
  • ViaggieMiraggi share

What is not included:

  • round trip to and from Canelli (quotation upon request)
  • single room supplement with private bathroom
  • Meals (except Welcome dinner)
  • travel, medical and cancellation insurance
  • personal expenses, extras and anything not expressly cited above

All quotations are subject to availability at the time of confirming a booking

Conditions

The minimum number of participants required to complete the trip is 2 people. Travellers will be informed 15 days prior to departure, in order to confirm.

Registrations

For registration terms and conditions please consult the following website: How we travel – italy.viaggiemiraggi.org

For information do not hesitate to contact us:
italia@viaggiemiraggi.org