Self-Guided: Gastronomic Barolo Cycling - Italy Cycling Holiday

Luxury hotels, gourmet cuisine and outstanding wines
Easy cycling through an undiscovered corner of Italy
Stunning mountain views - as far as Mont Blanc on a clear day

If you enjoy fine food, fine wine and fine cycling, then look no further than the region of Piedmont in north-west Italy. This exciting new ride is quite simply a mecca for cycling foodies, with numerous colourful markets, atmospheric enoteche and two nights in a Michelin-starred restaurant. The cycling itself takes you through softly rolling hills, sun-drenched hamlets and via the pretty wine towns of Barbaresco and Barolo where there will be ample opportunity to sample the world-famous local produce.

The rides are relaxed but cover enough distance to burn off a few calories and work up an appetite for the next memorable meal. We pass historic castles, frescoed chapels and pretty mediaeval villages en route to sophisticated hotels with luxurious rooms, elegant lounges and panoramic pools. All in all the perfect recipe for a healthy, relaxing holiday.

What makes this trip responsible?

Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.

As a self-guided trip you will be pedalling under your own steam and at your own pace. You will not be part of a group so the impact of your visit on the landscape and communities you pass will be absolutely minimal. Our local operator works with local suppliers and hoteliers to ensure that we support the communities we visit, maximising the benefit to them and also our enjoyment of the region. We will stay in characterful, locally run hotels and the route notes will often give you hints and tips of local restaurants you can try, giving you a taste of the local cuisine while helping to support these establishments. Moreover, we encourage you to journey by train to minimise your carbon footprint.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Countries visited: Italy

Day 1

Start at our stunning hotel just below Benevello, where the chef here trained under Marco Pierre White - you are in for a real treat!

Day 2

A gentle scenic ride to Barbaresco, for lunch and some cheese and wine-tasting. Continue to Neive, one of Italy's prettiest villages and home of Romano Levi, a renowned grappa maker, before a panoramic climb through Moscato vines to our lovely hotel in Ca

Day 3

Free day to relax by the panoramic pool. Alternatively visit nearby Acqui Terme, a spa town since Roman times, with two major thermal centres, or the spumante capital of Asti, with its quaint cobbled historic centre.

Day 4

Exhilarating ride through vineyards to Castagnole Lanze, with time to explore the cobbled streets and bustling piazze of chocolate-perfumed Alba (home of Ferrero Rocher). Then it's on to Grinzane Cavour where a warm welcome awaits at the elegant Casa Pave

Day 5

Free day to explore the castle - and taste its wine! Then perhaps visit nearby Bra, a gastronomic treasure trove where the Slow Food movement was initiated, for a long, lazy lunch. For the best views in the region, walk or cycle to panoramic La Morra.

Day 6

Cycle through sunflower fields to Roddi, then on to Barolo, an ochre-hued village perched above its world famous vineyards. Pedal on through archetypal Langhe countryside to Monforte d'Alba where we stay in a gorgeous 18th Century villa hotel with private

Day 7

Free day to explore Monforte, a lively town with attractive buildings grouped around an atmospheric cobbled piazza. Or visit Dogliani, a famous town at the heart of Dolcetto wine production.

Day 8

The final ride climbs steadily to a stunning panoramic ridge, weaving through fields of wild flowers and sleepy hamlets to Serravalle Langhe. After a nice lunch, continue to our beautiful country hotel at Benevello to enjoy the pool and jacuzzi before din

Day 9

End Benevello.

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Trip Notes contain all the detailed information you need. A full day by day itinerary, accommodation details, guides and other practical information. Download Now

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Exodus images from GASTRONOMIC BAROLO CYCLING

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$Summer with sunflowers, Barolo\r\r$

Cycling in Barolo, Italy