The most important factor when it comes to selecting a hotel is your comfort. We understand a good night’s sleep makes all the difference when you are on an active vacation. We have carefully chosen all our accommodations for their charm and location. They are typically small, family run hotels that offer you a glimpse into the local culture. We prefer hotels near interesting sites in the center of town located along the best cycling route in the area. Because many of the hotels are small, not all the rooms will be exactly the same. We keep this in mind and do our best to distribute rooms fairly by the end of the tour.
Hotels will be located centrally but off busy areas so you will have a quiet and, if necessary, sound-proof room.
Comfortable rooms and beds for a good night’s rest.
Gather today in Cuneo, south of Turin. We’ll fit bicycles this afternoon, then you will be free to explore the town and to take a warm-up ride. Be sure to look up the Arione Bar and Confectionary, famous for its “cuneese al rhum,” a chocolate rum candy (Hemingway stopped by here to pick up some of these on a trip to Italy in 1954, the year he won the Nobel Prize.) This evening, we’ll celebrate the beginning of our tour with a traditional Piedmontese dinner together.
Your ride today follows the Stura di Demonte River valley to the fortress of Vinadio along an historic military road that has now become mainly a bike path. The Vinadio fortress was built by King Carlo Alberto of the house of Savoy in the 1830s and ’40s to protect the Piedmont from possible invasions from France. You’ll be back in Cuneo late afternoon to enjoy a stroll through town.
Your ride today takes you through the small town of Bene Vagienna as you follow an ancient Roman road. We’ll have a light lunch and guided visit of the large archeological park of Augusta Bagiennorum. Tonight we will be in Monforte d’Alba, one of many picturesque wine villages in the Langhe region of Piedmont.
A loop ride today takes you through the vineyards of Le Langhe and the famous hills of the Nebbiolo grape. Along the route you’ll pass through the stunning landscape of La Morra, as well as vineyards around Barolo, Verduno and La Mora. The town of Barolo gives its name to Italy’s most famous wine. The village has an interesting ethnographic and wine museum to visit. We’ll enjoy a wine tasting together this evening.
Your ride today takes you through some of the most beautiful vineyard landscapes in Italy. If you are interested in wine we recommend a stop at the regional wine museum in Mango before continuing on through Neviglie and Trezzo Tinella, villages of less than 500 inhabitants, on the way to Alba.
You’ll want to take time to visit Alba before leaving this morning. Not only is Alba the capital of the Langhe wine region it is also home to Ferrero Rocher, the chocolate maker that manufactures Nutella and Kinder chocolate. From here you’ll pedal on to Canelli to visit one of the oldest and most famous wineries in Italy, Coppo. Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch before shuttling on to our hotel in Bistagno.
Today we’ll do a loop ride, so you wish to take the day off this is your chance. Otherwise hop on the bike and head to the hill town of Mombaruzzo, home to one of Italy’s famous “amaretto” makers. Amaretto is a yummy cookie made from a base of almond paste. Take time this afternoon for a guided visit at the Monteverde Gipsoteca before dinner together.
Our destination today is Asti, an elegant town famous for its architecture, wines and culinary traditions. Along the way you’ll pass through Monastero Bormida, founded by a grou pof Benedictine monks around 1050. The current castle correspond to the site of the original monastery. Next up — the rich vineyards of Canelli and the Moscato grape, which is believed to be the birthplace of the Italian sparkling wine “Asti Spumante”.
Head north today through the hills of Monferrato. This is one of the most densely settled agricultural areas in Italy and features a rich network of tiny farm roads and small fortified hilltop villages. Over the years it has become fashionable to convert the town fortress into a villa. Our accommodation tonight is in the Castle of Lu. This afternoon we’ll enjoy a cheese tasting at our hotel.
Leave the hills behind and cross the Po River in Casale Monferrato this morning. Casale sits on the south bank of the Po River and enjoys a deep architectural heritage due to its varied history because of its critical position along the Po River. Pedal north through one of the largest rice growing areas in Europe. Along the way, you’ll pass through no less than fifteen small farm villages, including San Nazzaro Sesia, a village built around an 11th-century Benedictine abbey. This afternoon we’ll visit one of the area’s rice producers to discover more about the history of the crop and harvest techniques.
Your final day of riding takes you into Italy’s spectacular Lakes District. This breathtaking series of lakes was created as glaciers retreated from northern Italy some 20,000 years ago. Your first lake is Lago d’Orta, then tiny Lago di Mergozzo, and finally Lago Maggiore. The journey ends in Verbania, along the shores of beautiful Lago Maggiore. This evening, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner together.
You are on your own today in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. This is a great starting point for further exploration of the Lakes District, or better yet – perhaps you’d like to join our cycling tour through the area! Whatever you choose, have a great time and thanks for joining us!
Meals : Breakfast
Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we dermine day and tour levels.
Your tour starts with a complimentary ExperiencePlus! shuttle pick-up at 11 am. The meeting place is the cafe-bar “Roma già Talmone” right by the Torino Porta Nuova train station, where you can grab a snack for the drive. The drive will take 1.5 hours. Your spot on the shuttle is already reserved for you.
If you cannot make the shuttle, you will be responsible for your own transportation to Cuneo (1-1.5 hours by train, or private transfer through hotel, around EUR 130.)
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are – in rare cases – subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying into the Turin Airport (TRN).
Arriving at Torino Airport and continuing to the train station:
The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio.
We recommend flying out of the Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP):
Taxi to the bus stop (5min/EUR 10)
Airport Shuttle from Intra-Verbania to the Malpensa airport (reservations required but payment in cash only on board) (1.5 hours/EUR 15). Click here for time table.
Or: Taxi from the Ending Hotel to the Malpensa Airport (1 hour/EUR 200 minimum)
*Note: If you are planning to depart by train, the train station name is Verbania-Pallanza. It is located 10km outside of the village. A taxi to the train station from the Ending Hotel costs EUR 20-25.
A great experience, good guides, fun people to ride with and Italy is always beautiful.
Mary B., Newport Beach, CA
Italian wine country at its best. Outstanding food. Great rides. Challenging climbs. The absolute beauty of the hilly wine country…and we were fortunate to have sunny days for those rides.
Jim B., Incline Village, NV
The scenery, food, other bicyclists, tour leaders, routes — all superb. Thank you for providing the opportunity!
David S., Eugene, OR
Wonderful experience – great guides – great routes – great towns – great riding – great food and wine.
Jeff E., Pittsburg, PA
There were many “favorite” experiences but I can”t pick one in particular…beautiful landscape, challenging riding, excellent tour leaders, great food, nice cultural opportunities, fabulous Italian culture.
Gary F., Fort Collins, CO
Biking, scenery, amenities, service, leaders … all outstanding.
Terry D., West Chester, PA
This was our second trip with EP and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Your arrow system cannot be beat. Such a relief not to have to try to read directions while riding! This is how we prefer to travel and we will be back.
Pat D., West Chester, PA
I thought this was a great tour–our best yet. Keep up the good work.
Sharon S., Eugene, OR
It was wonderful riding through a lesser-traveled part of Italy. The scenery was gorgeous from day 1 all the way through the end of the ride and the hills were challenging – but rewarding! This was our 10th EPlus! tour and I can”t wait to pick and go on our 11th!
Laura E., Tacoma, WA
Great guides.
Great fun.
Great company.
Billy W., Mt Pleasant, SC
A beautiful hilly ride through wonderful scenic wine country filled with delicious food! Once again a wonderful experience, which is why we keep coming back. I love that fact that you use local guides that know the country and can give some interesting background information to the area we are cycling. While the cycling and scenery can be fantastic… the guides are the ones that make the trip memorable! Thank you!
Deborah D., Owen Sound, ON, Canada – September 201
If you love really good Italian wine and really good Italian food and really gorgeous views of the vineyards, this is the tour for you. You know how much of an Experience Plus fan I am!! Love me some arrows 🙂 Best way to ride. Thanks for everything!!!
NIkki J., Portland, OR – September 2017
Beautiful vistas, delicious food and wine, great rides through low traffic roads and bike paths. FANTASTIC trip – thank you!
Kristen L., Cambridge, MA – July 2018
Wonderful rolling cycling through attractive countryside with fascinating cultural experiences included. Excellent accommodation and food especially the wine and cheese.
