Pedal through the legendary Langhe and Monferrato wine regions, where vine-covered hills and medieval villages have produced some of Italy’s most celebrated wines for centuries. Start in the Alba region, riding through Barolo country past La Morra and Monforte d’Alba, then transition to the Nizza Monferrato region’s quieter villages and rolling countryside. Sample prized Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, and Barolo wines at a historic royal estate, taste the world’s finest hazelnuts straight from the source, and hunt for white truffles with expert truffle hunters and their trained dogs. 5 nights in handpicked hotels, Private local transfers, Support van for bike rides, 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners with beer or wine, 1 wine tasting, 1 hazelnut tasting & 1 truffle tasting, 2 expert European Tour Directors/bike guides, Choice between performance road bike and e-touring bike (Road racing bike and e-road bike available for a fee), EF Adventures cycling jersey, helmet, GPS tracking device, and other biking equipment, 4 days of guided bike rides through the scenic Piedmont region, Select guided sightseeing tours. Admire the stunning Alba region, pedaling past La Morra, Barolo & Monforte d'Alba, Tour a historic winery estate with royal origins, Sample the world’s finest hazelnuts at a working farm in the Langhe, Take on the challenging inclines on the ride through Barbaresco, Hunt for truffles (yes, truffles!) with expert hunters in Monferrato, Ride through the rolling Monferrato countryside past ancient villages. Optional: 9 days with Lake Maggiore region extension. Optional extension: Take a few days to enjoy some true R&R in Northern Italy. Lake Maggiore, or Lago Maggiore, is a beautiful glacial lake located on the southern side of the Alps, straddling the border between Italy and Switzerland. Visit the charming town of Orta San Giulio, perched on Lake Orta's eastern shore, where a leisurely walk around the Orta peninsula will show off stunning lake views. In the afternoon, you’ll head to the mystical San Giulio Island, a tiny, car-free islet home to the 9th-century Mater Ecclesiae Abbey—a Benedictine monastery that adds to the island's tranquil atmosphere. Handpicked accommodations: From boutique hotels to 5-star luxury retreats, our accommodations are curated with the expert eye and attention to detail that come from 60 years of travel experience, always prioritizing authenticity. We select high-quality properties that balance comfort, location, sustainability, and local charm. Customize with excursions: Enhance your experience with hand-picked optional excursions—designed to add adventure, culture, and unforgettable moments to your journey. Equipment: We've partnered with EF Pro Cycling and Cannondale to offer four exceptional Cannondale bikes for you to choose from. You'll be able to select your preferred bike in your online account after you book. Flights: Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines. Weather: Piedmont has a continental climate with distinct seasons. Summer (June to August) temperatures typically range from 65°F to 85°F. Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are mild, with temperatures between 50°F and 70°F. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with spring and autumn being slightly wetter. The region can experience foggy conditions, especially in autumn. Layered clothing is recommended year-round to adapt to temperature variations. Physical activity level: Moderate. This tour is rated as Moderate, which means you’re ready to tackle some hills and elevate your heart rate, but not at the expense of enjoying the surroundings. This level balances active cycling with moments of leisure. The rides on this tour are almost entirely flat, with plenty of breaks to catch your breath and soak in the scenery. Tour pacing: Steady-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect: Two 2-night stay and one 3-night stay. Most days and evenings full of included activities (more if you add excursions). Most transportation by vans and taxis. Transportation on tour: This tour includes various modes of transportation, including mini-vans, taxis, and private buses. On-tour adventure equipment: Equipment for all bike rides will be included. For bikes, you’ll have your choice between: Performance road bike, E-Touring bike, Road racing bike (upgrade), E-Road bike (upgrade). We also include: Cycling jersey, Helmets, GPS Devices, 2 reusable water bottles, Bike bags, Support van. Baggage allowance & expectations: Travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item each due to storage limitations on vans and taxis. Travelers must be able to manage their luggage throughout tour; porters aren’t guaranteed at hotels or airports. Clothing & packing tips: Remember to bring clothes you’ll feel comfortable cycling in for several hours a day. Quick-drying, moisture-wicking materials are best. Hotels on tour: EF Adventures handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, sustainability, and local charm. Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-five-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators. Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks. Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins. Optional excursions: Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app. We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. Health: At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov. If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify EF Adventures at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered. The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise. There are inherent risks associated with adventure activities such as biking, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Meals & cuisine: This tour includes 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners. They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, juice or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea. Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options. Northern Italy is known for flavorful meats and pastries. For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. Tipping: Tips for meals, drivers, porterage (if applicable), and local guides for sightseeing tours are included in the price of your tour. At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Directors a gratuity in local currency. We recommend tipping $30-$40 USD per person per day (to be given to the lead Tour Director, who will divide it up). On a 7-day tour, we recommend tipping a total of $210–$280. Tips can only be paid in cash. Currency: You will use the euro on this tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed. International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. Wi-Fi, data & our mobile app: To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Adventures mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. There is no Wi-Fi on any of the buses. Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges. Tour Directors: Your tour will be led by two expert European Tour Directors who are also experienced cycling guides. They have intimate knowledge of the region's history, culture, and geography, as well as the specific routes you'll be riding. Your Tour Directors will provide both on-the-bike and off-the-bike support. On tour support: One of the benefits of traveling with EF Adventures is our on tour emergency support team. Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way. Time zones: Italy is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm in Italy. Responsible Travel: When you travel with EF Adventures, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language. When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind. EF Adventures encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don't touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance.
Hotel
A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.