GOURMET BAROLO CYCLING

GOURMET CYCLING IN

GOURMET BAROLO CYCLING SUMMARY Pedal through Piedmont, the cradle of the slow food movement, where you can taste the local hazelnut chocolates, the spicy “Bagna Cauda”, the hand-crafted salamis and of course the white truffle of Alba. The fine wines of Gavi, Barolo and Barbaresco round off your gourmet experience.

The rolling landscape of the Piedmont wine hills is a rich tapestry of vineyards, hazelnut plantations and dense oak woods, sprinkled with picturesque villages, elegant castles and feudal towers. Your cycling tour begins in the ancient spa town of Acqui Terme. From here you wind your way through the hills and meandering valleys of the Langhe to Gavi, homeland of the legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi.

From Gavi you follow the Tanaro River past imposing castles to the Montferrato foothills where you stay at the heart of a wine estate. The honeyed labyrinthine streets of Casale and Asti, with their historic buildings made from the volcanic yellow Tuff stone, are next on your itinerary. Followed by the ‘hundred towered’ city of Alba which has beautiful examples of Roman, Gothic and Baroque architecture. Tour: Gourmet Barolo Cycling Continuing through the heart of Barolo wine region you can look forward to two nights at the Hotel Relais Code: CItSGBc Montemarino, a converted nineteenth century farmhouse converted into a fine hotel surrounded by the Type: Self-Guided Cycling Holiday unspoilt beauty of the Langhe Hills. Your last cycling day takes you to back to Acqui Terme along the Price: See Website Bormida River past the old villages of Cessole and Bubbio. Single Supplement: See Website Dates: Apr - Nov Food, wine and pleasure are at the heart of this holiday. Your holiday includes seven nights accommodation Cycling Days: 6 Days at a selection of fine accommodations including contemporary four star city hotels, stylish country house Nights: 7 Nights hotels and welcoming farmhouses. Breakfast each morning, luggage transfer, emergency support from our Start/Finish: Acqui Terme / Acqui Terme local representatives, detailed turn by turn route notes and maps are of course all included. Grade: Moderate Closest Airport: / Genoa/ Milan

HIGHLIGHTS Is It For Me? If you appreciate fantastic wine, exquisite  The food and wine of Piedmont, ’s gourmet paradise regional food and the beautiful Piedmontese landscape, then this cycling holiday is  Sublime cycling through the forests and vineyards of the Piedmont countryside perfect for you.  Roman ruins, Gothic cathedrals and Baroque architecture  The honeyed labyrinthine streets of Casale and Asti  A huge selection of incredible wines, cheeses, sweets and chocolates to taste. An authentic experience of rural Italy  What’s Included?

Accommodation: 7 nights accommoda- WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED CYCLING HOLIDAY WITH US? tion in 4 star hotels, country house hotels and wine estates. Macs Adventure are specialists in self guided cycling holidays in Europe. We understand what makes for an Meals: A delicious breakfast is included unforgettable cycling holiday; great routes, breathtaking scenery, lots to do and warm, welcoming each day. Lunch and dinner are not included accommodation. All are included as standard! but always available at your accommodation Cycling is the best way to discover Piedmont and its gastronomy. Pre-booked accommodation, detailed or nearby. Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door route notes and maps, baggage transfers and local backup support mean you can relax and enjoy your time baggage transfer. cycling through the gourmet paradise of Italy. Information Pack: Detailed route notes, maps and support from our local representa- tive.

GOURMET BAROLO CYCLING

GOURMET CYCLING IN PIEDMONT

ITINERARY DAY 2 DAY 4 Code: CItSGBC Acqui Terme to Gavi Vignale Monferrato to Asti Days: 8 (6 Days Cycling) Leaving Acqui Terme you will cycle to Gavi Leaving Monferrato you can look forward to a Nights: 7 through green rolling hills and verdant valleys, relaxed ride to the beautiful capital of the famous for the ‘Gavi de Gavi’ white wine, and the province, Asti. Cycling through the Barbara wine Day Route Km homeland of Italy’s legendary cyclist, Fausto hills you pass through the picturesque villages of Coppi. Fubine, Montemagno and Portacomaro.

1 Arrive Acqui Terme Cycle: 59km / 37 miles Asti lies at the heart of the region famous for the 2 Aqui Terme to Gavi 59 production of Asti Spumante (DOCG) sparkling 3 Gavi to Vignale Monferrato 69 Overnight: The delightful four star Hotel wine. With a history dating back to Neolithic 4 Monferrato to Asti 50 L’Ostelliere is located on a large wine estate. times the charming old town centres on the 5 Asti to Benevello 57 Impeccably presented rooms, fabulous views, an 6 Circular route from Benevel- 23/32 triangular shaped Piazza Alfieri. outdoor pool and fine restaurant will make you 7 lo 54 8 Benevello to Acqui Terme wish you were staying for longer. Famous for its towers, of which 120 still stand, Onward Travel you must also visit the Torre dei Comentini (13th Alternatively the four star Hotel Villa Pomela. C), the octagonal Torre de Regibus (13th C) and Looking more like a castle than a hotel the the Rossa di San Secondo, built during the reign building dates from the 1690’s and has been DAY 1 of the Roman Emperor Augustus. sympathetically converted into a comfortable Arrive in Acqui Terme country hotel set in beautiful parkland. If you visit Asti in September you are in for a treat. The famous Palio horse race, where riders The hot sulphur springs of Acqui Terme have DAY 3 and horses don medieval garb is held on the been famous since Roman times. A delightful Gavi to Vignale Monferrato third Sunday. Even better news is that in the two little city Acqui Terme has been authentically weeks prior to the Palio local wine producers restored and sights include the Gothic Acqui Leaving Gavi you descend to the flood plain gather for the the Douja d'Or, an exhibition of Cathedral, Palaeologi Castle, the 10th century alongside the Tanaro River, a tributary of the local vintages accompanied by tastings of special Church of San Pietro and the roman aqueduct on River Po. Your route is punctuated by small dishes from the great Astesan chefs and a busy the outskirts of town. villages and large castles – many of which are entertainment programme. built from the characteristic red brick of the Hip little shops, countless restaurants and region. Cycle: 50km / 31 miles friendly locals will earn Acqui Terme a place in your heart. Vignale Monferrato, the wine capital of the area, Overnight: Either the 4 star Hotel Palio, a awaits you, where you can enjoy a well-deserved comfortable modern hotel or the contemporary 4 Acqui Terme is easily accessed from five major glass of Barolo. star Hotel Aleramo. Both are located less than airports – Malpensa, Linate, Nice, Genoa and 100 metres from the historic centre of Asti. Torino by train or bus. Cycle: 69km / 43 miles DAY 5 Overnight: The elegant and tranquil Hotel Overnight: Agriturismo Cascina Alberta is Roma Imperiale**** occupies a 19th century villa located two kilometres from town on a hilltop Asti to Benevello and boasts a outdoor pool, spa and fine dining. which boasts wonderful views of the surrounding Today’s ride takes you through the heart of countryside. At the heart of a working wine estate Alternatively the Grand Hotel Nuove Terme**** Barolo, one of Italy’s most prestigious wine the authentic farmhouse is backed up by a warm occupies a historic building dating from 1891 producing regions via the city of Alba. welcome and wholesome food. right in the centre of Acqui Terme on the The centre of Alba has pre-Roman origins, and cathedral square. It has a large indoor pool and Or Anticoborgo B&B, which is located on the the city itself is in a polygonal form, with parts of spa facilities. edge of the village and enjoys expansie views the fortified gate and other marble and mosaics over the Monferrato Hills towards the Alps. still visible. The cobbled streets of Alba are lined GOURMET BAROLO CYCLING

GOURMET CYCLING IN PIEDMONT

with chic bars and boutiques and the restaurant Terme. Enjoy the relaxed cycling along the closing day, you might be booked into a different scene is second to none. The Ferrero Rocher Bormida river, and discover the old villages of accommodation which is not listed in the factory on the edge of town makes some of the Cessole and Bubbio on your way. The beautiful description. Any alternative accommodation will world’s best selling chocolate, but for a real treat Romanesque bridge of Monastero Bormida is a be of the same or better standard as those dive into one of the divine little pastry shops. great example of the mediaeval architecture of described. the region. Alba is famous for its prized white truffles. The Single Rooms & Solo Travellers truffle fair takes place on the six weekends from Cycle: 54km / 34 miles the beginning of October to mid November and If you require single rooms within your party we Overnight: 4 star Hotel Roma Imperiale or 4 brings the city to life. would be happy to accommodate you although star Grand Hotel Nuove Terme there is a single room supplement payable. Leaving Alba you can look forward to 15 more kilometres through rolling hills covered with DAY 8 This holiday is available for solo cyclists but as some costs are not shared there is a supplement fragrant peach orchards and hazelnut woods to Depart Acqui Terme Benevello, where you will be based for two payable. Your holiday ends after breakfast. nights. Meals Cycle: 57km / 36 miles Additional Nights and Extensions A delicious breakfast is included each morning. Overnight: Hotel Relais Montemarino You can add additional nights at any point Lunch and dinner are not included. You can pick before, during or after the tour or elsewhere in up a picnic lunch before you set off or stop along Standing in the shade of an old chestnut tree the Italy. the route in one of the villages. Dinner is hotel was created from the renovation of a available either at your accommodation or nineteenth century farmhouse. nearby restaurants. HOLIDAY INFORMATION The hotel, which has a swimming pool, is Baggage Transfer surrounded by the unspoilt beauty of the Langhe Grade Hills. Each of the 27 rooms, all different, are Your bags will be transferred between your tastefully and imaginatively furnished and This cycling tour is graded moderate. Daily accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask equipped with all modern facilities. distances range 32– 69 km with between 400 you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to and 800 meters of climbing each day. 20kg per person. DAY 6 The route follows country lanes and secondary Equipment Circular route from Benevello roads with light traffic, although inevitably near Your information pack has a detailed equipment the larger towns there is more traffic. Today’s circular route is challenging in places, list which lists everything you need to pack. winding through the Alte Langhe and its hazelnut Navigation forests. The surrounding villages of Serravalle Rental Bikes (not included) and are great places to stop and We supply you with detailed route notes and Rental bikes are available to hire at an additional appreciate the rural Italian lifestyle. On your maps for each day’s journey, so you should have cost. We offer 21-gear hybrid bikes which come return you wind through the back roads, along no problem following the route. with a puncture repair kit, pump and lock. the steep Nebbiolo and Barbara vineyards, with Accommodation spectacular views of Alps. The accommodation on this trip is fabulous. A Cycle: 23/32km / 14/20 miles combination of stylish four-star hotels in the Overnight: Hotel Relais Montemarino larger towns and excellent country hotels and inns in the countryside. An authentic experience DAY 7 of the best of Italy! Benevello to Acqui Terme Alternate accommodation Your last cycling day takes you to back to Acqui During high season, or when your stay falls on a GOURMET BAROLO CYCLING

GOURMET CYCLING IN PIEDMONT

TRAVEL INFORMATION PRICE AND AVAILABILITY HOW TO BOOK

Getting to/from Acqui Terme By Air: The most convenient airports to fly Please refer to our website for up to date prices. Once you have read all the information in this into are Genoa (1hr), Milan (2hr) and Turin (2hr). This trip is available any day from the beginning factsheet or our website and would like to go All are well-served by major and low-cost of April to the end of November. ahead with your booking you can book securely airlines. online at www.macsadventure.com or by Included telephone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886 By Train: From Milan, depart Central Station (two changes).  Accommodation for 7 nights in four star hotels, Financial Security country house hotels and country estates. Genoa has a direct service from Porta Principe  7 Breakfasts In accordance with "The Package Travel or Brignole stations. Package Holidays and Package Tours Daily luggage transport of 1 bag of up to 20kg  Regulations1992" all passengers booking with From Turin, depart Porta Nuova for direct trains, per person as required. Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the although sometimes you will have to make one  Detailed route descriptions and pre departure initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all change. information pack monies paid to us, including repatriation if Please see www.trenitalia.com for train times, or  Maps of the walks required (this insurance will not cover repatriation www.raileurope.com  24-hour assistance from our local to the country of origin for the passengers representative outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or By Bus: From Milan, depart Milano Excluded curtailment of your travel arrangements due to Famagosta Station (Linee Veloce) Mon-Fri. the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd.  Cycle hire From Turin, depart Corso Vittorio Emanuele for ABTA Member Acqui Terme. (Linea 025/10)  Flights and transfers to and from Acqui Terme. Statement Please see: http://www.arfea.it/  Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA.  Travel insurance Travel Insurance ABTA and ABTA members help holidaymakers  Personal expenses such as drinks, phone to get the most from their travel and assist when It is a condition of booking with us that you have calls, extra transfers, tips, etc. things don’t go according to plan. We are obliged suitable travel insurance that covers you for  Any items not specifically mentioned in the to maintain a high standard of service to you by cancellation, curtailment, illness or injury. program ABTA’s Code of Conduct. Optional Extras For more information on ABTA, the Code of  Bike Hire Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30  Single room supplement(s) if applicable Park Street, London SE1 9EQ, tel 020 3117  Solo cyclist supplement if applicable

 Airport transfers BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

 Additional nights during the holiday. Book with Confidence. We are a member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We provide full financial protection for your money