The Jewels of Piedmont  - 8 Days

A Celebration of Slow Food

Let your taste buds do the walking as we immerse you in the enogastronomic wonders of  north west Italy. Barolo wine, the legendary white truffle of Alba, porcini mushrooms, hand crafted cheeses and cured meats. Beautiful hotels, stunning walks, fascinating history and culture plus exceptional food and wines. Read Media Review (Italia! magazine July 09)

Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world. Read article on Slow Food from The Independent (10 December 2009)

What is included?

• 7 nights beautiful accommodation (2 different hotels)
• Two experienced and knowledgeable guides who will look after your every need and bring this stunning area to life.
• All meals including wine.
• Gourmet meals in a variety of superb restaurants, including several award winning establishments.
• Support vehicle, enabling you to walk as little or as much of the trail as you please
• Transport to/from Turin at the start and end of the holiday. We can also arrange transfers to/from Milan for those on intercontinental flights
• Comprehensive pre-trip information.
• Luggage transported for you so all you need to carry is a small backpack with water etc.

"It was truly a celebration of Slow Food, the best I've ever tasted. The tour flowed beautifully which was a good indication of the effort and detail that had gone into its preparation". A.B October 2008

Itinerary
The tour starts and ends in the regional capital of Turin, home to the 2006 Winter Olympics (served by British Airways to London Gatwick and Ryanair to Stansted). Superb and varied walking: Alpine pastures teeming with wildflowers in Spring, pristine lakes surrounded by mountains, pretty vineyards and delightful villages. A slow paced itinerary staying in two delightful hotels. Opportunities to meet with chefs, winemakers and local producers. On occasions we will have our main meal at lunchtime with a lighter meal in a trattoria or winery in the evening.

Day 1:
Meet Turin Central Station at 11.30am or Turin Airport at 12.30pm. Drive (1.5hrs) to the medieval town of Saluzzo, the artistic jewel of Piedmont nestled at the foot of Monviso (3841m). En route we stop to visit Racconigi, the summer palace of the Royal House of Savoy. We spend the next 4 nights in a very comfortable, peaceful, restored Cascina (farmhouse), Antico Podere Propano , just on the edge of town. This evening we explore the medieval town on foot before dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 2
In the morning a gentle walk along quiet country lanes and farm tracks leads us to the 12th century Cistercian abbey at Staffarda. After a picnic lunch we drive to Manta and enjoy a facinating tour of the 13th century Castle with its delightful frescoes. Optional walk back to Saluzzo in the afternoon, or return to the hotel by van. (7km/4.4miles + 7.3km/4.6miles)

Day 3
A beautiful drive up the fertile Po valley takes us to the foot of Monviso and the pristine source of the river at 2020m. From a mountain refuge we follow good trails up past mountain lakes with impressive views of Monviso and the Ligurian Alps. Time to relax in the afternoon. (6.3km/4miles. Total ascent 360m). NB. If the weather is not suitable for a high level walk an alternative will be offered. We are welcomed for dinner at a farm in the hills near Saluzzo.

Day 4

We drive to the Colle di Sampeyre at 2285m from where we decend through open meadows, full of wildflowers in the Spring, to the 15th century church of Elva with its outstanding frescoes. Mountain and woodland tracks pass through dramatic scenery which is dotted with hamlets suspended in time and lead us down to the pretty Maira Valley. Fabulous dinner at the Abbey of Staffarda. (10.5km/6.7miles)

Day 5

A short drive takes us to the pretty medieval town of Cherasco - famous for its many churches, chocolates .... and snails. Continue to La morra where we indulge in a leisurely lunch at an award-winning restaurant with views over the vinyards. We stay for 3 nights at the charming Corte Gondina hotel in La Morra. This evening we meet a local winemaker for an introduction to the fabulous wines of this region.

Day 6

Our walk leads us from La Morra, along a ridge with open views to the pretty villages of Vergne and Novello. We decend through vineyards to the village of Barolo where the world-class wine of the same name was created in the 19th century. Visit the cellars of one of the local producers and taste theirrange of wines. October Trip: Later in the day we head into the woods with a local truffle hunter to search, with his dog, for the prized tuber. (9.5km/6miles)

Day 7

Starting from a village in the foothills of the Alta Langa, we walk through hazelnut groves and vinyards with panoramic views of the Langhe and the snow-capped Alps beyond. we are welcomed for lunch at a local farm producing wine and an incredible range of cheeses, near the town of Monforte d'Alba. Time to relax in the afternoon before visiting the pretty regional capital Alba to experience the passegiata and an aperitif followed by dinner at a local Slow Food restaurant. (10km/6.3miles)

Day 9
Return to Turin airport for 11.00am 

If you are keen to explore northern Italy, see our other tour in this region: Valle d'Aosta and Gran Paradiso National Park.

Walking
Shortest day: 6.3km/4miles
Longest day: 14.3km/9miles
There are 5 half-day walks offered on the trip. We walk on farm and woodland tracks, through vineyards and along quiet tarmac roads. Day 3’s walk is on a well graded mountain path. We recommend you wear sturdy walking boots, with good ankle support. 

Weather:
Average daytime temperature: June 20°-25°; October 13°-21°
Monthly rainfall average: June 70mm; October 150mm
Average sunshine: June 7hrs/day; October 5½hrs/day 

Price:
€2145 per person (currency converter)
Single Supplement €175 (Double room for single occupancy)
The price represents the true cost of your holiday. No hidden extras.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us
info@hedonistichiking.com.au	(Australia) +61 (03) 5755 2307           (within UK) 0845 6801948