Tasty Piemonte Cycle Tour

The first capital of Italy, a very smart city, Turin is a former industrial city which now, after the Winter Games 2006, reveals itself as a cultural city. There is the Egyptian Museum (the 2nd in the world) and the Cinema Museum (the only one in Italy). With 4 rivers, there are many cycle paths.

Today the way is flat. From Turin, you cycle along the Po river and its small tributaries on cycle paths and small roads to the foot of the mountains, you get to the hunting palace of Stupinigi, the royal residence of the Savoy family, a masterpiece of the architect Filippo Juvarra in rococo style; then park by park, always along the rivers, you get to Pinerolo in a very pleasant way. Overnight stay in the delicious Pinerolo, was in the past there was one of the most famous schools of cavalry in Italy.

Again the route is flat today. Along country roads crossing orchards and vineyards, you get to Cavour with its curious “Rocca”, a morainic hill just in the middle of the flat area, at the present time this is a protected area. During the ride, you see the small castle of Macello. You will stay in Saluzzo, a wonderful medieval town.

Today the cycling is generally easy with some small inclines to navigate. On your ride, you can visit the very pleasant castles of Manta and Costigliole, the ancient Roman town of Benevagienna and it’s the archaeological area. After Cherasco, a town of the 7th century full of stories and art, we arrive in Bra, the capital of gourmet, the hometown of the “Slow Food” movement.

In Pollenzo, the roman Pollentia, there is the University of taste and here you can taste a good wine; than you will cycle to Alba along the river Tanaro, perfectly flat, but in the middle of the route you will have some inclines to visit Barolo, where you can taste the wine in the castle. Overnight in Alba, the town of the white truffle and of the towers of the high house.

Today you are in the Roero region. On the route, there are the castles of Guarene and Cisterna (the visit of the museum of Cisterna is possible). Overnight in Asti, a major town very rich in history, famous for the white wine “spumante” and his Palio, the historical running of horses.

You cycle along the charming hills of the Monferrato, another part of the gourmet system. From Moncalvo you can have a very pleasant view of the surrounding vineyards. In the afternoon, after the last taste in an “agriturismo”, you reach Casale, a town at the foot of the hills of Monferrato and along the river Po.

Depart after breakfast.