Trip code: C08PB 4.8 (5 reviews)
Self-guided cycling
8 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
Flights
available
16.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
Tucked away in northern Italy, Piedmont is a region brimming with vineyard covered, softly rolling hills, sun-drenched hamlets, world-class wines and incredible hotels.
Your cycling holiday is varied and mainly follows quiet, traffic-free country roads. Starting in the lush hazelnut hills, you'll wind through terraces of swaying vines, verdant pine forests and rippling rivers to discover pretty hilltop hamlets and ancient castles. The region boasts an incredible array of fine wine towns, including Barbaresco and Barolo, both ideal lunch stops on your cycling days or free days. Other highlights include Alba's crimson, cobbled streets (where you can sample the local chocolate), the expansive views as you freewheel out of Mango, and strolling amongst the tangle of streets and geranium-decked houses of Monforte d'Alba's wonderful centre.
The hotels we've chosen are, quite simply, fabulous! In Benevello your 4 star hotel is a stunningly restored 19th century family villa; in Neive you're the guest of Patrizia 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.
All breakfasts are included, but we have left evening meals to you, so you can enjoy the local gastronomic cuisine in the nearby restaurants.
NB.E-bike hire is included as standard on this trip for 2025.
Routes are mainly on asphalt with 6% on an unpaved surface. Routes follow quiet, secondary roads; there are frequent ascents and descents, some of which are long with steep sections.
Arrive at your stunning hotel just below Benevello. For dinner, you can head out to a local restaurant or book a table in the hotel's superb restaurant.
You stay at Relais Villa d'Amelia.
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The Relais Villa d'Amelia is a luxuriously restored 19th century family villa (and a member of the 'Small Luxury Hotels of the World'), just outside the Alta Langa village of Benevello.
The Villa d'Amelia has 37 ensuite rooms including three suites (one of which is located within the old chapel!) decorated in a modern style with neutral paints and dark leather and beech furnishings.
The hotel also boasts a central courtyard with sofas and chairs for relaxing outside, and a stunning lounge area complete with a grand piano!
Facilities at the hotel include a sauna, jacuzzi, Turkish bath, and lovely outdoor swimming pool.
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 on to San Stefano Belbo, the birthplace of one Italy's greatest writers, Cesare Pavese; the pretty old town makes for a lovely lunch stop. On the way to Neive, your cycle ride takes you past the famous Moscato vineyards before you arrive at your hotel, which boasts wonderful views over the verdant hills with vineyards cascading down.
You stay at Hotel Villa Lauri.
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The small yet cosy, family run Hotel Villa Lauri is situated on the fringes of the old walled town of Neive. Dating back to the 1800s, the villa has a panoramic terrace and pool with sweeping views over the Langhe hills and vineyards.
Each of the 12 rooms is individually decorated in bright colours and all feature ensuite bathrooms.
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 that 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 19th century 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!
You stay at Hotel Villa Lauri.
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The small yet cosy, family run Hotel Villa Lauri is situated on the fringes of the old walled town of Neive. Dating back to the 1800s, the villa has a panoramic terrace and pool with sweeping views over the Langhe hills and vineyards.
Each of the 12 rooms is individually decorated in bright colours and all feature ensuite bathrooms.
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 impressively panoramic castle before ending the day in Fontanafredda.
You stay at Hotel le Case dei Conti Mirafiore or A Casa di Maria.
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Nestled amongst verdant vineyards, the Hotel le Case dei Conti Mirafiore is a wine estate come hamlet, which was founded by the son of Italy's first king. It was originally home to all the 250 people who worked on the estate and many of the buildings still house the staff who work on the vines and in the hotel. Accommodation is over 2 buildings, the Forestiera delle Vigne, where the standard rooms are housed, and the Vigna Magica building, where you'll find the upgraded rooms.
The hotel has 2 restaurants. the Guido Ristorante and the Osteria Disguido.
There are guided tours of the historic wine cellars here as well as tastings.
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Located in Grinzane Cavour, just a short walk from the village's UNESCO castle, the HHH A Casa di Maria is a family run bed and breakfast with gorgeous views of the Langhe hills, as well as a large garden and wonderful outdoor swimming pool. The bungalow style accommodation comes with just 3 rooms, all of which are quiet, modern and spacious, making this property the perfect spot to relax at the end of a long day.
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 Hotel le Case dei Conti Mirafiore or A Casa di Maria.
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Nestled amongst verdant vineyards, the Hotel le Case dei Conti Mirafiore is a wine estate come hamlet, which was founded by the son of Italy's first king. It was originally home to all the 250 people who worked on the estate and many of the buildings still house the staff who work on the vines and in the hotel. Accommodation is over 2 buildings, the Forestiera delle Vigne, where the standard rooms are housed, and the Vigna Magica building, where you'll find the upgraded rooms.
The hotel has 2 restaurants. the Guido Ristorante and the Osteria Disguido.
There are guided tours of the historic wine cellars here as well as tastings.
MastercardPoolHairdryerWiFiTVSafe
Located in Grinzane Cavour, just a short walk from the village's UNESCO castle, the HHH A Casa di Maria is a family run bed and breakfast with gorgeous views of the Langhe hills, as well as a large garden and wonderful outdoor swimming pool. The bungalow style accommodation comes with just 3 rooms, all of which are quiet, modern and spacious, making this property the perfect spot to relax at the end of a long day.
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.
You stay at Villa Beccaris or La Ribezza.
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Hotel Villa Beccaris is a gorgeous 18th century villa overlooking the beautiful town of Monforte d'Alba.
The Villa has 23 rooms, which are divided into categories; Headwater guests will be allocated classic rooms. All rooms, however, are beautifully furnished in an individual, traditional style often with antique furniture but with modern touches.
The Villa is located within beautiful gardens and has a panoramic swimming pool which overlooks the honey-coloured town, surrounding countryside and mountains beyond.
The hotel also boasts several elegant sitting rooms, its own enoteca and a very charming bar.
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As an alternative to Villa Beccaris, stays can be taken at ***** Hotel la Ribezza.
Opened in 2018, la Ribezza is a stylish, modern boutique hotel, located overlooking the medieval town of Monforte with beautiful views of the surrounding hills and vineyards.
Rooms are comfortable and elegantly styled in a mix of modern and classical design.
Relax by the pool and enjoy the stunning views or soak up the ambience and the impeccable service in the exquisitely designed restaurant.
You might not want to leave your gorgeous 18th century villa hotel with private swimming pool, but it'd be a shame not to explore mediaeval Monforte. It's a lively 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.
You stay at Villa Beccaris or La Ribezza.
ShopsMarketBankMastercardAmExPoolHairdryerWiFiTVMinibarAirconTea/coffee
Hotel Villa Beccaris is a gorgeous 18th century villa overlooking the beautiful town of Monforte d'Alba.
The Villa has 23 rooms, which are divided into categories; Headwater guests will be allocated classic rooms. All rooms, however, are beautifully furnished in an individual, traditional style often with antique furniture but with modern touches.
The Villa is located within beautiful gardens and has a panoramic swimming pool which overlooks the honey-coloured town, surrounding countryside and mountains beyond.
The hotel also boasts several elegant sitting rooms, its own enoteca and a very charming bar.
ShopsPoolWiFiTVAirconSafeTea/coffee
As an alternative to Villa Beccaris, stays can be taken at ***** Hotel la Ribezza.
Opened in 2018, la Ribezza is a stylish, modern boutique hotel, located overlooking the medieval town of Monforte with beautiful views of the surrounding hills and vineyards.
Rooms are comfortable and elegantly styled in a mix of modern and classical design.
Relax by the pool and enjoy the stunning views or soak up the ambience and the impeccable service in the exquisitely designed restaurant.
Your 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. You pedal onwards alongside chestnut-carpeted hills with delightful vistas once more to reach your beautiful country hotel at Benevello, where you can enjoy the pool and Jacuzzi.
You stay at Relais Villa d’Amelia.
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The Relais Villa d'Amelia is a luxuriously restored 19th century family villa (and a member of the 'Small Luxury Hotels of the World'), just outside the Alta Langa village of Benevello.
The Villa d'Amelia has 37 ensuite rooms including three suites (one of which is located within the old chapel!) decorated in a modern style with neutral paints and dark leather and beech furnishings.
The hotel also boasts a central courtyard with sofas and chairs for relaxing outside, and a stunning lounge area complete with a grand piano!
Facilities at the hotel include a sauna, jacuzzi, Turkish bath, and lovely outdoor swimming pool.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Andreola Central Hotel, Milan; Grand Hotel Sitea, Turin.
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The Andreola Hotel in Milan is ideally located for a stopover hotel. It is only 300m from the central station, from where shuttle buses run to Malpensa and Linate airports. The building is in the financial district - it is around a 20 minute walk into the renowned cathedral. The early 1900s building is more impressive inside than out - the marble columns, floors and gilt furniture in the lobby makes the interior very plush and elegant, and the 84 bedrooms are decorated with rich fabrics, paintings and marble en suite bathrooms.
Please contact us for prices.
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Boasting a prime location in Turin's stunning centro storico, just a short walk from Piazza Castello, the Grand Hotel Sitea certainly lives up to its name, with its elegant entrance hall and opulent yet traditional sitting rooms. Bedrooms are similarly stylish, with marble ensuite bathrooms and all the comforts you'd expect from a 4 star hotel.
The Hotel Sitea has been accommodating travellers for over 90 years and perfectly blends the modern with the traditional. Previous guests at the hotel include the musician, Louis Armstrong.
Unusually for a city centre hotel, the Sitea also benefits from a quiet garden - perfect for a relaxing drink after a day's sightseeing.
These tour prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £554.
We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.
If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into Milan Malpensa airport. We can provide transfers from the airport, please contact us for details and prices.
We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.
Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment.
Self-guided cycling
8 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
Flights
available
16.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
