The beautiful region of Piedmont has a lot to offer! It enchants its visitors with its delicious cuisine (known as one of the best of Italy), its beautiful, varied landscapes, its rich culture (UNESCO World Heritage sites), and its excellent wines that are among the finest in Italy, its truffles, hazelnuts and much more. The area of Monferrato and Roero (around Asti and east of Turin) can still be considered a hidden gem, off the classic touristic routes. Here we find the finest hospitality; the tour is accommodated in a boutique hotel with gourmet restaurant. You’ll be amazed by the varied walks that take you into historical places, ancient Romanesque abbeys, through picturesque vineyards, hazel groves and chestnut forests, to ancient castles and to magnificent lookouts. As a highlight there is a truffle hunt – of course with the tasting of those delicious tubers!
Benvenuti in Monferrato!
1st day: arrival in Moncalvo (parking available in the hotel). In the evening, meeting with your guide and welcome aperitif at the hotel. Dinner.
The landscapes of the Roero & the Roero Arneis wine
2nd day: The Roero is a small area north of Alba, famous for its robust limestone formations where frequently fossils are found. The path leads you from Vezza d’Alba to Castellinaldo through a varied landscape with splendid views passing vineyards and hazel groves, truffle forests and small towns. Castellinaldo is a small medieval town dominated by an impressive castle. You will be welcomed by the Marsaglia family of winemakers in the heart of the town, where will be shown around in their cellar and enjoy the tasting of the Arneis and other wines.
Walking time approx. 3.5 hours, approx. 10.5 km, ascent 340 m, descent 230 m.
The holy mountain Crea & the Barbera wine
3rd day: Start your hike directly at the hotel crossing the hilly landscape after Moncalvo until you reach the Crea mountain with several devotional chapels. The Sacro Monte di Crea was built in 1589 by the Franciscan Costantino Massino on the site of an ancient sanctuary, where since early Christian times the Virgin Mary was worshiped. After the visit you will be welcomed in the beautiful “Tenuta Tenaglia“, a historic estate just below the sacred mountain. Giorgio Tenaglia, governor of Moncalvo and mercenary captain with a special preference for the Barbera wine, founded an “oasis of wine” in 1600 to relax before and after the battles. You’ll be guided through the cellars and then taste some of the award winning wines. Walking time approx. 3 hours walking time, 10 km, +/- 330 m
The hills of Monferrato & the Freisa wine
4th day: In the morning our bus takes you to Albugnano, about 40 km away; a small hamlet, nestled in beautiful countryside. This area is famous for its Romanesque chapels, churches and abbeys. The most beautiful one is the abbey of Vezzolano: it is the most important Romanesque building of the Piedmont and was founded by the legendary Charlemagne. The hike passes panoramic vineyards where the grape variety Freisa is grown, an autochthonous red type. The winery you’ll visit at the end of the walk has recognized the potential of this grape variety that, thanks to special vinification methods, results in full bodied, very expressive wines. This fact attracted attention far beyond the regional borders. Let yourself be surprised and, above all, enjoy the beautiful atmosphere in this small winery and its beautiful location!
Walking time on this day: approx. 3.5 hours, approx. 12.5 km. Ascent 380 m, Descent 440 m.
Truffel hunt!
5th day: Today one of the highlights of our program awaits you: a truffle search with a real “Trifulau“, a professional truffle hunter and his special trained dogs. Together with him you will walk through the forest and search, depending on the season, for the black truffle (May-September) or even the famous and very valuable white truffle (from September). After approx. 1.5 hour of walking a hearty tasting awaits you in the house of the sympathetic truffle hunter. Afterwards you hike to one of the most beautiful lookouts of southern Monferrato, Bricco Lù, from where you have stunning views over the vineyards and surrounding hills and villages. Walking time on this day: approx. 3 hours of pure walking time, approx. 10 km, +/- 200 m
Arrivederci e alla prossima!
6th day: departure or extend your stay.
Prices
Services
- 5 nights in a double room in elegant Agritourism near Asti m. 5 x breakfast u. 5 x dinner.
- Welcome aperitif in the hotel.
- Hiking guide for all hikes.
- All transfers in the private bus according to the program.
- Wine tasting (sometimes with a small snack) with a visit to 3 wineries
- Truffle hunt with tasting.
- (In the event of unavailability, individual wineries can be replaced by an equivalent winery in the same wine region)
