Barolo Gastronomic Cycling by E-Bike

Experience Overview

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. 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 Patrizia 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.
Trip For You
This self-guided cycling holiday is ideal for independent travellers who enjoy exploring at their own pace, with the reassurance of pre-arranged accommodation, route guidance and local support. Previous cycling experience is recommended, but no technical cycling skills are required. Cycling at a Glance Trip Style: Self-guided Cycling Days: 4 with 3 optional rides Average Daily Distance: 35km (22mi) Bikes: E-bike hire is included on this trip. Please note that children under 14 are not permitted to ride e-bikes in Italy. Terrain: Quiet tarmac roads with a few sections on dirt roads. Undulating terrain but relatively short distances to give you lots of time to enjoy the scenery. The Langhe Hills is a hillier region. Route Profile: Moderate. Alternative routes are available on some days and are detailed in the route notes. Navigation: Headwater Navigation App How your Self-Guided Holiday Works This is a self‑guided trip run by our sister company Headwater, so you’ll travel independently at your own pace following their expertly curated navigation, with support just a phone call away. There is no tour leader and no organised group on this holiday. You are free to cycle at your own pace each day using the Headwater Navigation App. Before your trip begins, a local representative will: Meet you at the start of your holidayEnsure your bike is correctly fitted and ready to rideExplain the route and trip arrangementsBe available throughout your holiday should you need assistance The Navigation App includes a 24-hour emergency assistance number. In the event of a problem, the local representative may be able to arrange transport or assistance (additional charges may apply).
Eating 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.
Transportation
Your luggage will be transported between the hotels by our local agent. They are often able to dispatch a taxi should you need it, but may wish to charge you for this service. You will be pedaling under your own steam but the emergency number for our local operator is in the trip notes if you need assistance.
Joining Instructions
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Benevello on the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 4pm.
Transfer Details
Air prices include our standard flights/transfers Out: British Airways Heathrow to Milan Malpensa then transfer to hotel 2 hours 10 minutes Return: Transfer to airport 2 hours 10 minutes British Airways Milan Malpensa to Heathrow Business/club/first class seats are available on request. Airport transfers are available at a supplement for land only bookings.
Weather Information
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.
Spending Money
You will only need money for lunches, snacks and drinks and any sites you wish to visit. Lunches can be inexpensive if you buy produce from local markets or shops and make up a picnic. However, if you stop at a café you can easily spend €15. We would recommend budgeting for €5-15 for lunches and allow an additional €10 a day for any extras.

Highlights