La Morra - Piedmont Bike Tour

Join renowned Boston chef Josh Ziskin and his wife and Wine Director, Jennifer - owners of La Morra Ristorante -  on a unique bike tour through Piedmont, Italy as they return to revisit the town of la Morra where they once lived. Cycle along the vine covered Langhe hills, visit the great Barolo and Barbera vineyards, and enjoy the stunning Italian landscape by day...then explore the distinct treasures of Piedmont cuisine by night as Josh brings his own individual style to life - incorporating the freshest of local ingredients paired with these incredible regional wines selected by Jennifer - all inspired from the surrounding land and the Piedmontese way of life.

Day One: Voghera - Acqui Terme
Welcome to Piedmont. After our meeting at the Voghera train station our guides will transfer you to the newly restored 19th Century villa, Roma Imperiale, where we’ll toast your arrival with a traditional Piedmontese spumante. After your bike fitting, safety talk and map review, we’ll head off on a ride through the center of town past thermal springs where ancient Roman elites came to soak in the hot sulfurous waters. Though the magnificent arches of the aqueduct from this ancient heyday show some wear, the town of Acqui Terme is still very much alive. The historic center boasts an architectural kaleidescope ranging from Romanesque cathedrals to Belle Epoque villas. Leaving Acqui, we’ll ride through the vineyards overlooking the town before looping back to the hotel. Tonight we will shuttle you into the countryside for an exclusive dinner at our friend Graziella's winery, Villa Delfini. She and her sisters will welcome you with open arms as they bustle back and forth from the kitchen to our candelit dining room with their homemade Piedmontese delicacies. You will try a different one of their wines with each course; overall, a perfect introduction to the good life in Piedmont.

Meals: Light Lunch and Dinner
Destinations visited: Acqui Terme
Accomplished: 21 km/13 miles

Day Two: Orsara Bormida Loop
Cycling out of Acqui, you will make for the vine-covered ridges north of Acqui, riding through the towns of Ricaldone and Cassine.  Crossing the Bormida River we will cycle through the precariously perched village of Orsara Bormida. From here, Villa Delfini is just a short ride down the road. We will stop here again for a picnic prepared by your guides and to give you the chance to explore the vineyards and wine cellar. After lunch, cycle back to the villa to enjoy some time in the spa, or add on some extra miles by riding along the ridge to the enchanting hilltop town of Cremolino. Spend the afternoon shopping in Acqui or soaking up the thermal waters at the nearby spa. We’ll cap off the day with a special treat, as Josh prepares us his first dinner at our friend Guido's private restaurant, located in the family farmhouse in the middle of their vineyards above Acqui.

Meals: Breakfast/Picnic Lunch at Winery/Josh's Dinner at Winery
Destinations visited: Cassine, Orsara Bormida, Cremolino
Accomplished: 38 km/23 miles (Extra ride options available)

Day Three: Acqui Terme to Relais & Chateaux San Maurizio
Today you will cycle over the famous Langhe hills, an intimate landscape filled with vineyards, truffles, gracious medieval towns like Montabone and Rocchetta Palafea, and stunning panoramas of an ancient landscape.  On clear days, views extend all the way to the Matterhorn in the Alps to the north as you are ringed on three sides by glimmering peaks and it is clear why the region is called Piedmont, "at the foot of the mountains".  We will have lunch along the way with Gianni and Mina at their highly-regarded, yet out-of-the-way, ristorante before arriving at the converted monastery of San Maurizio, a luxurious Relais & Chateaux property. You are in for an unforgettable stay, as you will enjoy unsurpassed vistas over Dolcetto and Moscato vineyards, finely manicured grounds, and unique salt therapy treatments at the hotel’s Via del Sale Spa. Tonight we will dine at the Michelin-starred Ristorante Da Guido, accompanied by an assortment of fine local wines.

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Accommodation: Relais San Maurizio
Accomplished: 40 km/24.9 miles

Day Four: Hazelnut Ride
Today’s cycling is yet another magical ride, through prestigious Piedmont vineyards, hazel groves and truffle-filled chestnut forests. The grapevine is queen of the Langhe, and Barolo is king. We are entering the realm of the birthplace of the Slow Food movement, which prides itself on artisan cuisine using the freshest of ingredients: small production cheeses, meats and produce, and of course, the white truffle, which flourishes in the region each autumn. Angelo Gaja, producer of the mythic Barbaresco, who considers himself a simple artisan, is the perfect example of this mentality. Perhaps you can meet him having lunch at a local trattoria.  Our ride, which we like to call the "hazelnut route", takes us up and down along the Langhe's main ridgeline through the hazelnut groves that produce the main ingredient for Nutella, a local invention. Along the way, we will stop for lunch at our friend Massimo's delightful trattoria where Barolo, truffle and mouthwatering risotto are an essential part of the vocabulary. Villa Beccaris, our hotel in Monforte, is a gorgeous 18th century mansion lovingly restored in Belle Epoque style.  You will spend the following two nights here in total luxury.  This evening we will visit Josh and Jen's friends at the Vietti Winery for a cellar tour and tasting.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Destinations visited: Santo Stefano Belbo, Monforte d’Alba
Accomplished: 40 km/25 miles

Day Five: Barolo Loop
Leaving our hotel, we will wind our way through the village below and pedal out of town.  As you cruise through the vineyards, stop to chat with a friendly local winemaker or snap a photo of a landscape devoted to wine.  Along the way we'll stop for an exclusive tasting at the Ratti Cantina to try some of their Barolo. Getting back on the bikes, the day's first climb will take you into the world-renowned wine village of La Morra where we'll stop for lunch at the acclaimed Ristorante Bovio. Riding back to Monforte, we'll pass through the town of Barolo itself and some of area's most prestigious cru vineyards.  There’s no better way to cap off your Piedmont trip than with another great dinner with Josh and Jen's friends at their restaurant in beautiful Novello.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Beccaris
Accomplished: 32 km/19 miles

Day Six: Monforte d’Alba - Asti

After breakfast on the terrace of the limonaia, say goodbye to Piedmont however you see fit. Challenge yourself with an optional morning loop ride or finish your shopping in Monforte. We will transfer you to the train station in Asti as you head to your next destination.

Meals: Breakfast
Accomplished: Total Satisfaction!

TRIP TOTAL: 165 KM/ 100 MILES, averaging 25-40 km/ 15-30 miles per day.

Optional longer rides available each day.  Hilly, villages on top of hills, vineyards