Vineyard hikes, mountain walks, wine tasting, cooking class, cheese tasting, charming accommodation, gastronomic experiences, undiscovered corner of Italy
We're very excited to once again offer a more active tour in Italy, the Piemonte Panorama Tour.
Years ago we did a hiking tour in Tuscany and Liguria with great success, but the area eventually became too popular -- farmers and private property owners began banning access to ancient walking routes, sites became annoyingly crowded, and prices rose out of reach.
But after two of our senior head office staff travelled to Piemonte -- one on a research work trip and the other on a family vacation -- our attention turned to this oft-overlooked, but up-and-coming region with all of the charm, history, culture, and yummy food as more famous places, but without the crowds and lofty costs.
There is no Colosseum, Leaning Tower, Michelangelo, or Spanish Steps here, but that's exactly the attraction!
This trip showcases all that makes this gorgeous corner of Italy so special.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.
Select a date below to reserve your spot:
Due to the exclusive nature of some of our accommodation choices which do not allow us to hold space without deposit, we require a $1000 per person deposit at time of reservation.
Optional Single Supplement: $760 USD (number of singles limited).
Day 1 Arrival in Torino/Turin
Welcome to Piemonte!
Today the group arrives at Torino (Turin) Airport (TRN).
Italy's second-largest region is arguably its most elegant: a purveyor of Slow Food and fine wine, regal palazzi, and an atmosphere that is superficially more Français than Italiano. But dig deeper and you'll discover that Piemonte (aka Piedmont) has 'Made in Italy' stamped all over it. Emerging from the chaos of the Austrian wars, the unification movement first exploded here in the 1850s, when the noble House of Savoy provided the nascent nation with its first prime minister and its dynastic royal family. Today, most conflicts are disagreements over favourite wines and who has the best recipes, in a charming laid back region not unlike nearby Tuscany in look and atmosphere, but without the crowds and high prices!
Overnight in Torino.
Included Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2 Torino: Town Tour - Transfer to Asti Area
This morning we enjoy a tour of Torino with a local guide.
The industrial grey and polluted "car city", as Torino was known until the end of the 1990s, has nowadays given way to an elegant, vibrant, and cosmopolitan metropolis that will pleasantly surprise even the most well-travelled visitor. With two thousand years of history, Torino developed from a Roman military settlement to the capital of the kingdom of the House of Savoy, and in 1861 became the first capital of the newly-unified Italian nation. As a result, the urban grid spread with large tree-lined boulevard, baroque facades, and art-nouveau covered shopping galleries can remind of some corner of Paris even though a unique local character is predominant. In more recent times, Torino hosted the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, an event that changed the face of the city. Among many attractions, we mention the Holy Shroud – an important (and controversial) relic for Christianity – which is displayed periodically and the second largest Egyptian museum in the world. Today Torino is a technology and design centre, as well as a university campus with students from all over the country.
Our walking tour gravitates around the central Piazza Castello with a look at the magnificent Church of Saint Lawrence, a masterpiece of baroque architecture. From the Royal theatre, down to Piazza Carignano and to the XVIII century Piazza San Carlo, our guide reveals hidden private courtyards and leads discussion on the social changes that Torino has faced throughout history.
After a break for lunch and some free time, we'll transfer to our Agriturismo surrounded by vineyards in the Asti Region near Torino (+/- 90 minute drive). For four nights we are based at a 4-star 'agriturismo' south of Asti proper. Typically, an agriturismo is an independently-owned farm that the owners have decided to use partially — although usually only partially — for accommodation purposes. That means that, 90 percent of the time, you can expect that the owners of your "hotel" are, primarily, farmers (or people who have someone else farm for them). It's a relaxing and intimate way to experience rural Italy and, since many of Italy’s best food traditions aren’t found in swanky restaurants, but in nonna's house in the countryside, there's often no better dining than at an agriturismo.
Overnight and dinner near Asti.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 Monferrato Hill District: Vineyard Hike & Wine Tasting
This morning we depart the hotel for some leisurely hiking* through the vineyards with a local guide. Our route takes us over the hills where the very last reaches of the Monferrato District meet the Langhe Hills, and where Barbera grapes give way to Moscato and crops of hazelnuts.
Here the hills are covered in vineyards, with medieval hill towns and ancient castles perched atop their peaks. The scenery is gorgeous, but what really attracts visitors is the outstanding wine and food—Barolo reds, white truffles, handmade pasta, and many more delicacies. Along with Monferrato and Roero, the Langhe was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 for its cultural landscapes and wine making traditions that go back hundreds of years.
Our day includes a visit to a rustic family-run winery focused Barbera wine. Here the family prepares a lunch of appetizers with seasonal vegetables, a hot pasta course, and a nice selection of salami and cheese. We then hike back to our hotel (2 hours) and enjoy some free time before dinner. Our 4-course dinner this evening will be at a neighbouring agriturismo (15 min drive).
Our Hikes: Because some hikes can/may be adjusted at the discretion of your Tour Leader depending on things like weather and group interest, the final distances/durations of our hikes as indicated in our itinerary should be taken as guidance only. In the meantime, however, we can advise that, generally-speaking, our walks are leisurely on well-trodden pathways over undulating terrain (some walks are downhill), 2-5 hours in overall duration with plenty of breaks for refreshment, photos, and taking it all in.
Today's hike is the most ambitious of the trip, with three hills to cross on a well-trodden/maintained trail. Our one-way distance is about 9 km (5.5 mi); a return journey by bus to our hotel is available (talk to your leader on tour).
Overnight near Asti.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 Asti Area Touring
The glorious past of this town comes back to life as we walk the medieval streets of the historic centre. Proclaimed an independent city-state in 1095 due to its strategic commercial position, Asti became powerful to the point of minting its own coins, accepted and exchanged all over Europe.
Our guided walking tour begins in the main square. We visit the food market to learn about some traditional products of the area and continue through the Jewish ghetto, spotting towers and baroque churches. The imposing cathedral is the largest Gothic building in Piemonte, boasting a collection of paintings by local artist, Gandolfino da Roreto, the first in town to complete works of art influenced by the Renaissance.
Continuing through rolling countryside covered in Moscato vineyards, our destination is one of the local wineries, but our bus will drop us short of the facility so we can walk the last 3-4 km (2-2.5 mi) of pretty vineyards and views before our winery visit. Here we can dig into the production of both sparkling wines and the sweet Moscato dessert wine and enjoy a tasting paired with food bites.
Drive back to the hotel and then travel a short distance to Nizza Monferrato where we enjoy dinner this evening.
Overnight near Asti.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 Cooking Class & Acqui Terme Touring
This morning we travel to the Tenuta Antica cooking class farm. The old stone house, completely restored, is home of Maria Pia and her family who moved here years ago and opened an agriturismo, producing organic wines, hazelnuts and preserves. We have a full hands-on cooking class with seasonal vegetables and aromatic herbs from the organic garden. The group will be divided in smaller teams and everyone will have the chance to experience all recipes. Our resulting lunch is paired with the organic wines produced at the farm by Maria Pia's husband.
After lunch we proceed to a tour of Acqui Terme with a local guide.
Acquae Statiellae, founded in the second century AD by the Romans, enjoyed an economic and social bloom in its day, many vestiges of which are still visible in the ruins of the thermal spas and aqueduct. The elegant city center blends the modern section with the medieval area called "Pisterna", where the Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption and the Castle of the Paleolithic Dynasty are located. Piazza della Bollente is home to the eclectic temple where visitors can drink the sulphur water naturally emerging from the bowels of the earth at a temperature of 75 degrees Celsius.
You'll have some free time for exploring, shopping and dinner (on your own this evening) after which we return to our hotel.
Overnight near Asti.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6 Asti - Rice Farm Tour - Sanctuary of Crea - Barolo
Today we check-out of our agriturismo and travel by road to the area of production of Italian rice (one hour). Here we visit a traditional rice farm set in the province of Vercelli with a local guide. Stories of the harsh life of yesterday's farmers and employees are combined with the tour of the modern production. Learn how rice is cultivated and processed to become either brown or white.
We then continue 40-minutes to the Sacred Mountain of Crea. The Sanctuary of Crea is one of the nine Sacred Mountains scattered between Piedmont and Lombardy, a mystical place of great inspiration, where art and nature blend. An uphill trail between the twenty-three chapels in which theatrical effects with human-sized statues and frescoes have been realized, with the task of amazing the pilgrim. The sanctuary contains two ancient chapels: Santa Margherita, frescoed on the commission of the Marchesi del Monferrato, and that of the Madonna. Here lies the wooden statue carved, according to tradition, by the evangelist Luca and transported to Piedmont by Eusebius, the first bishop of the region. We hope to walk a section of one of the most beautiful trails in the area; this walk runs along the highest hill of the territory and leads towards the Sacred Mount.
We continue by road to the Barolo area. For a break from the group dynamic (and due to the hearty nature of our lunch today), dinner will be on your own in this charming town.
Overnight in Barolo OR nearby Cherasco.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7 Hiking & Tasting in Barolo
This morning we meet our local guide and begin our hike in the area of production of the Barolo wine, over the Langhe Hills. Our trek begins from the main square of the town of Barolo, where the precious wine was first produced. Our route takes us through vineyards and quiet countryside roads off-the-beaten-track, all the way to a different municipality for a total of about 10km/6 mi round-trip.*
We visit a traditional wine cellar and relax with a tasting of several wines with selection of cheese and salami which should satisfy your lunch needs.
Return to our hotel with leisure time before dinner at our hotel.
* There is an option to return to Barolo by road transfer, where you can explore on your own waiting for those who choose to walk back. We will then return to our hotel together.
Overnight in Barolo.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 Alba & Truffle Hunting, Hike to Chapel
Today we go on a truffle hunt with a local guide and local dog.
Regardless of the type of truffles (black or white) available in the season when the hunt takes place, the aim of this activity is to show how truffles are found and taken out from the ground. Truffle hunting can be considered a "guided tour" in the woods, where you get a complete presentation on the environment needed for truffles to grow, trees involved, soil characteristics and bits of the hunter's family-story. All aspects of truffles are explained, including the sensory and technical analysis -- essential to understand the quality of the product -- and how truffles are best-preserved and eaten.
After a gourmet truffle tasting in Alba in a local shop -- truffle salami, cheese, truffle spread, truffle oil, honey etc -- enjoy a visit to Alba.
After a bit of free time in town, we'll transfer to La Morra and enjoy a downhill walk to the Coloured Chapel (+/- one hour) via vineyard rows, farmsteads, villages, wineries, former convents, chapels, cabins, and a unique and fascinating landscape. From the chapel we will bus back to Barolo.
Overnight in Barolo.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 Barolo - Mondovi - Walk to Santuario di Vicoforte - Cuneo
Today we check-out of our Barolo hotel and transfer to Mondovi where we have a tour with a local guide.
From the lower part of the modern city built along the Ellero stream, we'll climb via modern funicular to Mondovi Piazza, founded in 1198 by the populations of the villages of Vico, Vasco, and Carassone who rebelled against the bishop of Asti and took refuge in Monteregale. The central square on two levels is embellished with fresco-ed façades of houses, palaces, and churches, among which the “Mission” stands out as a high example of Jesuit architecture where Andrea Pozzo practiced his prospective art.
After a break for lunch we'll walk on a secondary countryside road to Vicoforte (+/- 8km/5 mi, 1.5-2 hours). This road is known for a number of chapels representing the stations of the Cross and is a panoramic route. We'll then have a guided tour of Santuario di Vicoforte, featuring the world's second largest elliptical cupola. The dome was built by architect Francesco Gallo on a structure designed about two centuries earlier by Vitozzi on commission of Carlo Emanuele I of Savoy.
We continue by road (40 minutes) to the town of Cuneo for dinner and overnight. Sitting on a promontory of land between two rivers, Cuneo provides excellent alpine views framed by the high pyramid-shaped peak of Monte Viso in the Cottian Alps. There is a raft of reasons why one should visit stately Cuneo, not least being the food, the hiking possibilities nearby, and, last but certainly not least, the city's signature rum-filled chocolates.
Overnight in Cuneo.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 Hike to Campomolino - Saluzzo - Cuneo
True to the meaning of its name ('foot of the mountain'), Piemonte is a land of mountains. It is surrounded on three sides by the Alps, with the highest peaks and largest glaciers in Italy.
Today we drive to an alpine valley bordering France (1 hour) with a local guide, with a hike of about 8km/5 mi (return) on a paved road from Castelmagno sanctuary up to a viewpoint (incredible views!) and back down again.
We continue by road to a cheese farm where the famous local Castelmagno cheese is aged in natural grottoes. Castelmagno cheese has ancient origins. It is said it was first produced in the eleventh century, although the first documents referring to it date back to the thirteenth century. Since then, the local cheese factories have been producing it following the ancient traditions, despite a period of low production due to the World Wars. After learning the production process, we enjoy lunch with a cheese selection (5 types), a plate of potato gnocchi with cheese fondue and a glass of wine.
We then drive to Saluzzo (1 hour) for a guided tour of the town. Visiting Saluzzo is a true journey back in time, with a medieval old town with a fairytale atmosphere. The seat of a powerful marquis who kept the region under pressure for about five centuries, Saluzzo maintained close ties with neighbouring France. We'll be certain not to miss the church of St. John, with its precious funeral monument, and the nearby Casa Cavassa with the works of the Flemish painter, Hans Clemer. Drive back to Cuneo (45 min).
Overnight in Cuneo.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11 The Italian Riviera
This morning we shift gears a bit with a visit to the Italian Riviera. Once we leave behind the Ligurian Alps, you'll be amazed by the quick change of atmosphere, surrounded by lavish Mediterranean vegetation, palm trees, and colourful small towns once fishing villages, built along the coast.
We'll stop in the walled town of Finalborgo, where we can explore the quaint medieval hamlet built in the valley overlooking the sea, boasting monasteries and century-old architecture. In Finale Ligure we enjoy a traditional lunch of pasta with pesto sauce and fresh catch of the day.
We then walk along the beach from Varigotti to Finale (4.8km/3 mi, flat and paved route, about one hour) where we visit a small family-run olive oil mill and sample some bruschetta and olive spread.
Return to Cuneo with dinner on your own this evening.
Overnight in Cuneo.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 12 Cuneo - Abbey of Saint Michael - Torino
Today we travel by road to Torino with a stop at the Abbey of Saint Michael en route.
An iconic monument of the Piemonte region, the Abbey of San Michele is undoubtedly one of the most striking architectural highlights of the province of Torino, and is shrouded in legend, mystery, and macabre details. Founded on the rocky spur of Mount Pirchiriano in the Val di Susa (Susa Valley) between 983 and 987, the Sacra is one of the sites dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Intriguingly, the Sacra di San Michele lies in perfect geographic alignment with three other Saint Michael monasteries, on a straight line from Skellig Michael (Ireland), over Saint Michael's Mount (Cornwall, England), to the Monastery of Saint Michael (Symi island, Greece), before coming to an end in Jerusalem at Mount Carmel.
We continue to Torino and our centrally-located hotel with some time at leisure to enjoy Torino before our farewell dinner.
Overnight in Torino.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13 Departure
Departure from Torino.
ARRIVIDERCI!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Inclusions
Breakfast daily, most dinners, some lunches (as per tour itinrary). All sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary. Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters.
Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving/late departing land & air customers who book their extra hotel nights through us. Please note that transfers are provided from Torino Airport only (ie, not from Milan).
Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour. Most lunches, some dinners. Tour Leader gratuities, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), insurance, international air taxes (if applicable), and any excursions referenced as 'optional'. Airport transfers for Land Only customers.
Seasonality and Weather
We've timed our September departure to coincide with harvest season, during which grapes are ripe and pretty on the vine, local fruit and vegetables feature prominently on local menus, and weather is warm and agreeable.
Our May/June departure features green landscapes, lots of flowers, early season crops (berries, asparagus, greens) and mild temperatures.
The climate here is relatively mild, though we'll have some warm-hot days, with cool mornings and overnights. Showers are possible at any time in this area, but both of our dates are outside of the main rainy period which generally runs November-March.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Most transport is by private air-conditioned vehicle, +/- 24 seats depending on ultimate group size (see 'group size'). Due to the winding roads and lack of accessibility on narrow streets in small towns and villages, we will avoid the large motor-coaches more typical of large group touring. One of the delights of exploring this compact region is the lack of long road journeys, allowing us to maximize our time doing, seeing, smelling, tasting, experiencing, and soaking it all in.
Our difficulty rating "Level 3" refers to our walks/hikes that go beyond town/city walking tours on pavement or cobblestones, to hiking on "natural" surfaces (ie gravel) and pathways that feature some elevation gain/loss as opposed to reasonably flat terrain. Such hikes are leisurely with plenty of stops along the way. This activity does not occur every day, but as per our tour itinerary, even when not on a "hike," we will be on foot quite a lot, with town walking tours, winery visits, with plenty of places with uneven surfaces and stairs (we're in the hills!).
OUR HIKES
Because some hikes can/may be adjusted at the discretion of your Tour Leader depending on things like weather and group interest, the final distances/durations of our hikes as indicated in our itinerary should be taken as guidance only. In the meantime, however, we can advise that, generally-speaking, our walks are leisurely on well-trodden pathways over undulating terrain (some walks are downhill), 2-5 hours in overall duration with plenty of breaks for rest and refreshment. Please note that some surfaces feature loose material (ie stones, gravel, sand etc) which can be slippery. Good footwear/tread and walking poles will help to steady you and support your knees.
Participants should be fit and active and accustomed to trail walking, possibly in some remote locations, and be prepared to engage in a conditioning regimen prior to the trip.
This is a hotel-based tour with no camping, and you are required to only carry what you need for the day.
For daily summary of our hiking activities, please refer to the tour itinerary.
This program also has a strong gastronomic element, well-suited to "foodies," expert or novice, and those who enjoy savouring and lingering over a meal and sampling new things. While vegetarians are well catered for, we regret that very specific or extremely limited dietary restrictions/preferences will present a considerable challenge on this trip.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.
Accommodation
Three nights on this trip are accommodated at an 'agriturismo', an independently-owned farm that the owners have decided to use partially for accommodation purposes. That means that 90% of the time, you can expect that the owners of your "hotel" are, primarily, farmers (or people who have someone else farm for them). It's a relaxing, intimate, and highly-personalized way of experiencing rural Italy.
Elsewhere, our hotels are well-located, modern 4-star properties. Porter service is available (see 'inclusions') though you should be independent with your luggage. As is the norm in Europe, single rooms are limited in number and likely smaller than twins.
Staff and Support
Tour Leader throughout & local guides for town/city touring and for our hikes on which local knowledge and insight are of value and appropriate.
Group Size
Maximum 16 (plus Tour Leader)
Regions visited: Western Europe
Countries visited: Italy
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
We encourage you to get trip cancellation and interruption insurance to protect against unforeseen events.