PMC Piedmont Bike Tour Itinerary

May 28: 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. Challenge yourself with an extra climb from Grognardo or relax before dinner. 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. Roma Imperiale, an intimate hotel on the outskirts of Acqui Terme with thermal waters and spa services will be your home for the next two nights.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Destinations visited: Acqui Terme
Accomplished: 21 km/13 miles (extra ride available)

May 29: Cassine Loop
Cycling out of Acqui, you will make for the vine-covered ridges north of town, riding through 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. Guests interested in a more challenging ride can opt for a century ride today, cycling deep into the Appenine Mountains to start the ride before turning back to the valley along ridgelines dotted with medieval castles. We’ll regroup for lunch and then cool down the legs with a longer loop back to Acqui via Cassine. For those who choose the shorter option, your guides are happy to direct you to the best places to shop and/or soak up Acqui's famous thermal waters. We’ll cap off the day with an intimate dinner at our friend Guido's private restaurant, located in the family farmhouse in the middle of his vineyards above Acqui. Guido's parents will make you feel like long-lost family as they teach you how to cook local dishes and welcome you with their genuine hospitality.

Meals: Breakfast/Picnic Lunch at Winery/Dinner at Winery
Destinations visited: Cassine, Orsara Bormida, Cremolino
Accomplished: 38 km/23 miles Longer option: 100 km/61 miles

May 30: Roccaverano
Set off for the hilltop village of Roccaverano, famous for its outstanding goat cheese. The ride will take you deep into the Piedmontese countryside. We’ll begin with a spin along the Bormida River past the evocative Romanesque bridge and castle of Monastero Bormida. From here, we’ll begin the magical climb up to Roccaverano where we will stop in the main square to celebrate our arrival with a coffee and visit the church (one of the area’s oldest examples of Romanesque architecture). Lunch is just down the road at a hidden agriturismo where our hosts will share their wines, great cooking, and, of course, some Roccaverano cheese.  After lunch you can opt to take the van back to our next hotel for a relaxing afternoon, or ride there by bike. The ride includes two more unforgettable downhills and a final climb through the forests and hazelnut groves into the Barolo wine region.  We will spend the next 3 nights at the stunning Boscareto Resort. Soak in the vineyard views from the pool or relax with a massage before we regroup for dinner at the hotel’s highly-acclaimed restaurant. 

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Destinations visited: Langhe hills, Monastero Bormida, Roccaverano
Accomplished: 36 km/22 miles; Longer Option: 76 km/46 miles

May 31: Barbaresco and Alba
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 nebbiolo 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 as we ride to Barbaresco for an exclusive tasting with our favorite local producer. Leaving Barbaresco we’ll ride to Alba, a sophisticated medieval city that has emerged as one of Italy’s culinary capitals. Every October the world-famous truffle festival is held here, attracting chefs and gourmets from all over the world. As a result, the city has plenty of its own great restaurants and you are free to choose between them for lunch. After lunch, you can opt to spend the afternoon exploring and shopping in Alba with a transfer back to the hotel, or continue riding over the vine-clad ridges of Diano d’Alba for an extra challenge. Tonight we’ll transfer you to nearby Monforte where you are free to choose between the town’s restauranti and osterie for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations visited: Barbaresco, Alba, Diano d’Alba
Accomplished: 42 km/26 miles; Longer option 61 km/37 miles

June 1: Monforte to Barolo Loop
Leaving our hotel, we will cruise past the lonely tower of Serralunga’s castle before winding down to the valley below. As you cruise through the vineyards, stop to chat with a friendly local winemaker or snap a photo of a landscape devoted to wine. The day's first climb will take you into the world-renowned wine village of La Morra.  Stop here to sample some Barolo or follow your guides to a local osteria. Riding back to the hotel, 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 a relaxed winetasting and aperitivo at our hotel. The chef will welcome us with open arms as we settle in for our farewell feast. This combination of great food and the world-class local wines acts as the perfect grand finale for a perfect week.

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Destinations visited: La Morra, Monforte, Barolo
Accomplished: 32 km/19 miles; Longer Option 62 km/ 37 miles

June 2: 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 sleep in and enjoy a frothy cappuccino. We will transfer you to the train station in Asti as you head to your next destination.

Meals: Breakfast
Accomplished: Total Satisfaction!

TRIP TOTAL: 169 KM/ 103 MILES, averaging 25-40 km/ 15-30 miles per day. Optional longer rides available each day.