Internationale groepsreis Cycling the Wine Villages of Piedmont

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. Comfortable Hotel

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.

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 (optional ride - directions provided) 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

Leaving Neive behind, you undulate through the vineyards to Castagnole Lanze, before heading downhill to the River Tanaro to enjoy 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). Continue to Grinzane Cavour with its UNESCO recognised castle before ending the day in Fontanafredda.You stay at the Hotel Diffuso Le Case dei Conti Mirafiore (breakfast included)

Enjoy wine tasting in the historic wine cellars at your hotel, once owned by Italian royalty, or head to the atmospheric wine village of Serralunga d'Alba. Alternatively perhaps visit nearby Bra, a gastronomic treasure trove 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, cycle to La Morra, 'Balcony of the Langhe', spread out along a panoramic ridge above the vineyards.You stay at the Hotel Diffuso Le Case dei Conti Mirafiore (breakfast included)

You'll cycle first 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.Stay at Villa Beccaris (breakfast included)

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 (optional ride - directions provided), dominated by its beautiful onion-domed church and famous for being at the heart of Dolcetto wine production.

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. 

The trip ends in Benevello. A transfer is included to Turin Airport (approx. 1 hour 50 minutes).