Walking the Wine Villages of Piedmont
Start: Benevello Finish: Benevello
Duration: 8 Nights
Physical rating: Leisurely / Moderate
Special diets catered: Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour Operator: Exodus
Age range: 12 to 99
Tour operated in: English
Prices From:
Tour Overview
On this self-guided, hotel-to-hotel walking holiday, you'll explore the beautifully tranquil Langhe region of Piedmont, a gastronomic gem quietly tucked into Italy's north-western corner. Recently recognised by UNESCO, the countryside is a glorious mix of gently rippling, wave-shaped hills cloaked by layers of vines, sunflowers and oak forests, crowned with honey-hued hamlets and majestic Savoy castles.
Highlights
Based on our popular 8 night, Gastronomic">https://www.headwater.com/holidays/walking/italy/W08PD.htm">Gastronomic Barolo Walk- Imposing Savoy castles, tiny frescoed chapels, sun-drenched hamlets
- Excellent cuisine, prized white truffles, hazelnuts and chocolate!
- Atmospheric wine villages and boundless vineyards
- Superb walking in truly undiscovered, yet highly sophisticated Italy
- Luxury hotels; 4 out of 8 nights, with panoramic swimming pools
Places You'll See
Countries:
Itinerary
Day 1
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ARRIVE AT BENEVELLO
Arrive at your hotel in time for a swim before dinner. *(Staying at Villa d'Amelia)*
Day 2
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BENEVELLO TO GRINZANE CAVOUR
Meals: breakfast
After a short transfer you follow a gentle path alongside the clear waters of the Tanaro River, next to which pheasants and partridges rustle in the oak forest. It's on to Roddi (the castle here used to house the University of Truffle Dogs!) and Grinzane Cavour with its wonderful megalithic castle with amazing views. Time for a drink on the terrace at our stunning 4 star hotel in the village centre before dinner. *(Staying at Casa Pavesi)*
Day 3
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AT GRINZANE CAVOUR
Meals: breakfast
Grinzane Cavour is an atmospheric wine village with wine tasting on offer in its UNESCO-recognised castle. Gastronomic capital, Alba, is easily reached from here (you may wish to take a taxi there, then walk back); explore the cobbled crimson squares and bustling porticoed streets. *(Staying at Casa Pavesi)*
Day 4
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GRINZANE CAVOUR TO CASTIGLIONE FALLETTO
Meals: breakfast
After a short transfer to panoramic hilltop Diano d'Alba you follow lush paths with hawks cruising overhead as you cross the Talloria River. Then it's a gentle climb through holm oak to reach Serralunga d'Alba, whose C13 castle seems to surge towards the sky - you still need to cross the drawbridge to visit it. A last gentle ascent through vines takes you to the centre of Castiglione Falletto and your welcoming village hotel. *(Staying at Hotel Le Torri, Breakfast at hotel)*
Day 5
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AT CASTIGLIONE FALLETTO
Meals: breakfast
Perhaps follow a circular route today (route notes provided), first visiting tiny Annunziata with its frescoed chapel (and an excellent farmhouse trattoria). Then it's on through sun-dappled hamlets and delicate swaying vines to reach La Morra, the 'Balcony of the Langhe', with plenty of wine-tasting opportunities in the bustling centre - even Julius Caesar stopped here to try some! *(Staying at Hotel Le Torri)*
Day 6
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Castiglione Falletto to Monforte D'alba
Meals: breakfast
Descending gently to the Talloria Valley, you follow the stream's poplar-shaded path towards the ochre-hued 16th century castle of Barolo, which stands guard over the village's world-famous vineyards. Maybe visit panoramic Novello, a belvedere town built as a summer retreat for the residents of Alba, before continuing through fields ablaze with colourful wild flowers to reach our elegant villa hotel at Monforte d'Alba. *(Staying at Villa Beccaris)* Optional shorter walk: 2hrs, distance 8km/5mi
Day 7
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AT MONFORTE D'ALBA
Meals: breakfast
Situated in its own scented garden with views across mediaeval Monforte and beyond (even Mont Blanc on a clear day), Villa Beccaris offers a tempting swimming pool and a sun-trap courtyard. Alternatively, explore this pretty town with twisting streets clinging to the hillside. There are also plenty of opportunities for wine tasting. *(Staying at Villa Beccaris)*
Day 8
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MONFORTE D'ALBA TO BENEVELLO
Meals: breakfast
Take a lift to lovely Serravalle Langhe, from where you join the Sentiero della Valle Tanaro. First, shaded by hazelnut, oak and poplar trees, you reach Albaretto della Torre dominated by its 13th century Duecentesca tower. After lunch the panorama opens out with spectacular views back to Alba and the Tanaro Valley as you descend gently towards Benevello. There's time for one last swim before dinner. *(Staying at Villa d'Amelia)*
Day 9
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LEAVE BENEVELLO
Meals: breakfast
LEAVE BENEVELLO
What's Included
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Arrival and departure transfers (for flight inclusive packages)
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Luggage transfers between hotels
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Walking transfers
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Route notes and maps provided
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All continental breakfast
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single supplements
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Arrival and departure transfers (for land only packages - available for a supplement)
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Visas and vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts. Italian food is one of the country’s most revered exports and Piedmont is a region that won’t disappoint gastronomes! The cuisine is a fusion of the best of Italian and French food. However, the region’s rural nature means that dishes are predominantly simple but use exceptional quality and flavoursome ingredients. Piedmont’s wine is famous throughout the world, and justifiably so. The most famous are the wines of the Langhe, which produces Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Barbera as well as whites such as Asti and Moscato.
Your Peace of Mind Options
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a deposit of 20% to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 70 days before departure..
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Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.