Barolo Gastronomic Cycling

  • Premium
9 days
from
£1,939
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Cycling
Activity level:
Moderate
Activity Rating - Moderate
Trip code: 
C08PD
Ways to Travel:
Self-Guided Holidays, Premium Adventures, Private Group Adventures
Activity:
Self-Guided Cycling
Group size:
1–6
Ages:
12+

Scenic self-guided cycling in the UNESCO vineyards of Piedmont

Tucked away in northern Italy, Piedmont is a region brimming with vineyard covered, softly rolling hills, sun-drenched hamlets, world-class wines and incredible hotels.

Your cycling holiday is varied and mainly follows quiet, traffic-free country roads. Starting in the lush hazelnut hills, you'll wind through terraces of swaying vines, verdant pine forests and rippling rivers to discover pretty hilltop hamlets and ancient castles. The region boasts an incredible array of fine wine towns, including Barbaresco and Barolo, both ideal lunch stops on your cycling days or free days. Other highlights include Alba's crimson, cobbled streets (where you can sample the local chocolate), the expansive views as you freewheel out of Mango, and strolling amongst the tangle of streets and geranium-decked houses of Monforte d'Alba's wonderful centre.

Highlights

  • Scenic cycling in the UNESCO vineyards of Piedmont
  • Stay in luxury hotels with panoramic pools
  • Discover historic castles and medieval villages

Key information

  • 8 nights hotels, all rooms en suite
  • 4 days cycling with 3 optional rides
  • Luggage transfers
  • 95% quiet tarmac roads, 5% gravel
  • Quiet, traffic-free country roads
  • Optional electric bikes at a supplement
  • GPS route navigation provided
  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
  • Self-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
  • Countries visited: Italy

What's included

  • All breakfasts and 4 gastronomic dinners
  • All accommodation (see accommodation section)
  • Luggage transfers
  • Route notes and maps
  • Local bike hire
  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
  • Arrival & departure transfers (if booking a flight inclusive package)

What's not included

  • Optional electric bikes at a supplement
  • Travel insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request)
  • Any Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
  • Visas or vaccinations
  • Arrival & departure transfers (if booking a land only package)
Call for general departures:
01606 720003
Call for private group trips:
020 8772 3874
Enquire Today
Live Chat
Request a Brochure
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

4

Days of Cycling
Pace:

Average daily distance: 35km (22 miles).

Terrain:

95% quiet tarmac roads, 5% gravel

Day by day breakdown
Day 234.0km/21.0miles
Day 439.0km/24.0miles
Day 634.0km/21.0miles
Day 835.0km/22.0miles

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here… 

Itinerary

Expand all
Benevello
to
Benevello

  • Day 1

    Arrive in Benevello

    Dinner tonight is in the exclusive DaMa restaurant at Villa d'Amelia.
    You stay at Villa d'Amelia (breakfast and evening meal)

    Meals included: Dinner

  • Day 2

    Benevello to Neive

    Visit the lovely Mango, with it's beautiful castle rich in WW2 history, then continue to Santo Stefano Belbo, the birthplace of one of Italy's greatest writers. On the way to Neive you'll pass the famous Moscato vineyards, then you'll spend two nights at the Hotel Villa Lauri, with a choice of restaurants within easy walking distance of the hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 3

    At Neive

    Officially one of Italy's prettiest villages, you can wander Neive's cobbled streets that are lined with brightly-coloured flower boxes. After a morning spent by the panoramic pool, cycle (optional ride - directions provided) or take a public bus to nearby Barbaresco for lunch and cheese-tasting in the piazza. Enjoy some wine in the enoteca or head across to the spumante capital of Asti, with its quaint cobbled centre.

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 4

    Neive to Grinzane Cavour

    Cycle through the vineyards to Castagnole delle Lanze before exploring the cobbled streets and bustling piazze of chocolate perfumed Alba, the home of Ferrero Rocher. You'll spend two nights at Casa Pavesi in Grinzane Cavour, with evening meals included at the superb Michelin starred Il Castello.

    Meals included: Breakfast Dinner

  • Day 5

    At Grinzane Cavour

    Explore the UNESCO-recognised castle and indulge in a spot of wine-tasting, then take a lazy lunch in Bra, where the Slow Food management began. For the best views of the region, walk or cycle (optional ride - directions provided) to La Morra, 'Balcony of the Langhe', spread out along a panoramic ridge above the vineyards.

    Meals included: Breakfast Dinner

  • Day 6

    Grinzane Cavour to Monforte d'Alba

    Cycle to Barolo, an ochre-hued village perched above its world-famous vineyards, where you can admire Marchesi Falletti's 11th century castle. Then to Monforte d'Alba and Villa Beccaris, where you'll spend two nights. There are plenty of restaurants in the village to choose from for your mouthwatering evening meal.

    Meals included: Breakfast Dinner

  • Day 7

    At Monforte d'Alba

    Monforte is a lively medieval town with attractive buildings grouped around the cobbled piazza; or visit Dogliani (optional ride - directions provided), famous for Dolcetto wine production and dominated by its lovely church.

    Meals included: Breakfast Dinner

  • Day 8

    Monforte d'Alba to Benevello

    A steady climb takes you to a stunning panoramic ridge. From here, cycle to Serravalle Langhe, a great lunch spot with belvedere views before returning to your country hotel at Benevello, with dinner included in the hotel's Michelin starred restaurant. The chef at Villa d'Amelia trained under Marco Pierre White so you're in for a treat!

    Meals included: Breakfast Dinner

  • Day 9

    Leave Benevello

    After breakfast, depart from Benevello.

    Meals included: Breakfast
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes
Show map

Essential Info

Visas

Vaccinations

Italy

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

All buffet breakfasts and 4 gastronomic dinners included.

You'll enjoy gastronomic menus everywhere, either dining at your hotel, or at a specially selected restaurant close by. The cuisine in the Piedmont region is different to most other Italian regions, a fusion of the best of Italian and French food and certainly won't disappoint gastronomes. Regional specialities include white truffles which are found almost exclusively in the woods around Alba. Hazelnuts are another locally produced ingredient that feature heavily on the menu. Cheese is also widely produced in Piedmont, such as Murazzano, made with full-cream sheep's milk. Meals in the region always start with bread, your primo (first course) will usually be a pasta dish, such as agnolotti. Your secondo (main course) will then be something hearty like beef gently braised in Barolo wine. Meats such as pork, beef and veal are the popular choice of the region. Piedmont's wine is famous throughout the world. The most famous are the wines of the Langhe, which produces Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Barbera as well as whites such as Asti and Moscato. Other highlights include Alba's crimson, cobbled streets where you can sample the local chocolate.

Weather

The trips run from May through to October. In the early and late departures you will need to be prepared for slightly lower temperatures, with highs of 23 degrees in May and 20 in October. There is more chance of rain in October, but the trip only runs into the early part of the month. In July and August the temperatures are likely to reach highs of 28/9 degrees celcius, there will still be the chance of rain, but it will be reduced. Facilities in some of the hotels such as the pools may not be available for early and late season departures.

Is this trip for you?

Cycling Conditions
Classification: Self-Guided
Average daily distance: 35km (22 miles).
No. of days cycling: 4 with 3 optional rides
Terrain and route: The suggested cycling mainly follows quiet tarmac roads with a few sections on dirt roads. The terrain is mainly undulating but the distances are kept relatively short to give you lots of time to enjoy the scenery. At one point the route heads to the Langhe Hills which is a hillier region. Alternative routes are available on some days and are detailed in the route notes.

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. Our local agent will be there to meet you, make sure the bikes are all set up and will be on call throughout the trip should you need.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Families
Self-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. As a guide we have suggested that 12 yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of each days cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities. Please bear in mind the weather when choosing to book, temperatures can be very high in the middle of summer. We therefore recommend going either earlier or later on in the season if you have young children.

Call for general departures:
01606 720003
Call for private group trips:
020 8772 3874
Enquire Today
Live Chat
Request a Brochure
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Hotels

The hotels we've chosen are, quite simply, fabulous! In Benevello your 4-star hotel is a stunningly restored 19th century family villa; in Neive you're the guest of Viviana at her 12 room country house with a breathtaking panoramic pool; and in Monforte d'Alba private tastings can be organised in the hotel's vast wine cellar. You'll enjoy gastronomic menus everywhere, either dining at your hotel, or at a specially selected restaurant close by.

All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory single room supplement. Please call your sales consultant for prices and availability. 

Call for general departures:
01606 720003
Call for private group trips:
020 8772 3874
Enquire Today
Live Chat
Request a Brochure
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

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Dates & Prices

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Please call one of our experts to discuss your private group requirements on 0203 993 4668, or fill out the form below and we will give you a call back.

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An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

 

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London  

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros Cons
  • May be the most direct route
  • Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.
  • As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.
  • You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

 

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.
 
a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination. 

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros Cons
  • Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.
  • Through fare tickets can be expensive.
  • On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.
  • Published fares are non-refundable.

 

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros Cons
  • You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.
  • You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

 

 Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

  • On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.
  • On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client. 

 

Next steps? 

Call our Sales team on: 0203 733 0698

Email your query: [email protected]

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