Itinerary Expand all Benevello to Benevello Day 1 Start Benevello. Start at the stunning 4-star hotel at Benevello. The Relais Villa d'Amelia is a luxuriously restored 19th century family villa, equipped with a sauna, jacuzzi, Turkish bath and a lovely outdoor swimming pool. The chef here was trained under Marco Pierre White, so you're in for a treat tonight.Comfortable Hotel Day 2 Gentle ride through the breathtaking Langhe countryside to Neive. Option: 1 You'll start today with a gentle ride along an open road, with hawks soaring high above the breathtaking Langhe countryside. You visit lovely Mango, with its beautiful castle rich in WW2 history. Then onto San Stefano Belbo, the birthplace of one Italy's greatest writers, Cesare Pavese; the pretty old town makes for a lovely lunch stop. Then it is on to Neive, where your cycle ride will take you past the famous moscato vineyards before arriving at your 3-star hotel, which boasts wonderful views over the verdant hills with vineyards cascading down. Comfortable Hotel Option: 2 Distance - 76km, elevation: +1603m / -1935m Leaving the hotel behind, you cross the Belbo Valley following tiny roads with stunning views. After another climb you drop down to the town of Canelli then cross the river at Santo Stefano Belbo. Beautiful roads then lead you to Castiglione Tinella and onto Castagnole delle Lanze before following the river to the famous wine town of Barberesco, just 5 km from your hotel. Maybe take time for a well deserved glass of wine before heading to your hotel in Neive for the next two nights. Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Free time to explore Neive, officially one of Italy's prettiest villages. Neive is a great place to explore. Officially one of Italy's prettiest villages and home of Romano Levi, a renowned grappa maker, you can wander its cobbled streets which are lined with brightly coloured flower boxes, or after a morning by the panoramic pool, cycle or take a local bus to nearby Barbaresco for lunch and cheese-tasting in the piazza. Enjoy some wine in the enoteca, housed in a C19 church built by the locals in thanks for a good grape harvest! Or head across to the spumante capital of Asti, with its quaint cobbled centre. Each September the main piazza is home to a crazy palio horse race to rival Siena's!Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Cycle through the vineyards to Castagnole Lanze; continue to Grinzane Cavour. Option: 1 Leaving Neive behind, you undulate through the vineyards to Castagnole Lanze before heading downhill to the River Tanaro and a lovely gentle ride along the river to Alba. There's time to explore the cobbled streets and bustling piazze of chocolate-perfumed Alba (the home of Ferrero Rocher). Then it's on to Grinzane Cavour where and the elegant Casa Pavesi. Comfortable Hotel Option: 2 Distance - 76.3km, elevation: +1145m / -1146m From Neive, you soon cross the Tanaro river before heading to the undulating Roero hills, passing a series of pretty villages. Baldissero, with its beautiful castle and Medieval centre, is worth a stop. Cross the river once more and, after a challenging climb, you come to the pretty wine village of La Morra, another ideal wine stop before a long downhill to your hotel in Grinzane Cavour. Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Explore Grinzane Cavour's castle, visit nearby gastronimic Bra, or walk or cycle to La Morra. Explore the UNESCO-recognised castle and indulge in a spot of wine tasting today. Then perhaps visit nearby Bra, a gastronomic town where the Slow Food movement was initiated - there's plenty of choice for a long, lazy lunch. There's lots to explore in the town too, including the 18th century Rococo church and the strange octagonal Zizzola, where local witches held their meetings. For the best views in the region, walk or cycle to La Morra, 'Balcony of the Langhe', spread out along a panoramic ridge above the vineyards.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Cycle through sunflower fields to Roddi, then on to Barolo; continue through Langhe countryside to Monforte d'Alba. Option: 1 Today's cycle takes you through sunflower fields to Roddi, then on to Barolo, an ochre-hued village perched above its world-famous vineyards. The tangle of mediaeval streets are dominated by the Marchesi Falletti's 11th century castle. Pedal on through archetypal Langhe countryside to Monforte d'Alba, whose lovely honey-coloured old town clings enchantingly to the hillside. Your hotel here is special too. Comfortable Hotel Option: 2 Distance - 78.2km, elevation: +1386m / -1118m After leaving the hotel, you are immediately cycling through vineyards as far as the eye can see. Pass the Castiglione Falloetto and then into world famous Barolo. The small roads lead you through a series of small towns and as you arrive at Fossano, home of the best beef in Piemonte, continue passing hazelnut groves with great views all around. Stop off in Bene Vagienna for its impressive castle. The road now passes a series of wine towns arriving at Dogliani before climbing up through the vines to your hotel in Monforte d’Alba for the next two nights. Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Explore Monforte d'Alba or relax at the hotel's swimming pool. Either relax at the gorgeous 18th century villa hotel with private swimming pool, or explore mediaeval Monforte. It's a lovely town with attractive buildings grouped around an atmospheric cobbled piazza. Maybe strike out a little further to Dogliani, dominated by its beautiful onion-domed church and famous for being at the heart of Dolcetto wine production.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Cycle along the Rea Valley with a steady climb to a panoramic ridge; continue to Serravalle Langhe, then on to Benevello. Option: 1 The final cycling day starts with a gentle coast along the Rea valley before a steady climb takes you to a stunning panoramic ridge. Weave through fields of wildflowers and sleepy hamlets to Serravalle Langhe, a great lunch spot with belvedere views. Pedal onwards alongside chestnut-carpeted hills with delightful vistas to reach the beautiful country hotel at Benevello. There's time to enjoy the pool and Jacuzzi before dinner. Comfortable Hotel Option: 2 Distance - 65.6km, elevation +1370m / -1300m Your last day takes you on stunning small roads passing up and over the Langhe hills, passing through a mix of vineyards and hazelnut groves. Ride through a series of small towns, but today is all about the winding roads and views as you head back to Benevello. Maybe stopping at the big green bench to admire the views before your last night at Villa d’Amelia! Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 End Benevello. The trip ends in Benevello. A transfer is included to Turin Airport (approx. 1 hour 50 minutes). Meals included: Breakfast
Italy No visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times. For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Hotels The hotels we've chosen are, quite simply, fabulous! In Benevello your 4-star hotel is a stunningly restored 19th century family villa, with a Michelin-starred restaurant; in Neive you're the guest of Viviana 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. You'll enjoy gastronomic menus everywhere, either dining at your hotel, or at a specially selected restaurant close by. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory single room supplement. Please call your sales consultant for prices and availability.
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Dordogne Valleys and Villages Cycling 4 reviews Cycle through France's dramatic river valleys, medieval villages and past fairytale chateaux Cycling Suitable for: Age 12+ Activity level: Moderate 9 Days from $2,349 USD Self-Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details