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A Taste of Barolo

Piedmont: secret Italy
 
Piedmont holds many treats in store for visitors: first-class wines, a gastronomy to match, enchanting landscapes and timeless medieval villages. Our self-guided, hotel-to-hotel walking break is indulgent on many levels, featuring hotels of character and an included wine-tasting (with opportunities for more).
A Taste of Barolo. 4 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
A Taste of Barolo. 4 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in Piedmont

Piedmont’s full-bodied, velvety Barolo wines deservedly rejoice in fame, but less well-known are the idyllic medieval villages where they are produced, the unusual landscape of wave-shaped hills that surround the villages, and the outstanding regional gastronomy based on delicious white truffles, hazelnuts and flavoursome cheeses. All this makes for a very indulgent break that introduces you to one of Italy’s most alluring landscapes – all the more special because it is so little-known, and because it offers far-reaching views which stretch towards the majestic peaks of the Alps (Piedmont means ‘at the foot of the mountains’).
The routes are reasonably short, leaving you plenty of time to admire the timeless villages and crumbling castles and, of course, to learn about the region’s wines (the village of Barolo boasts two wine-themed museums) and indulge in tastings – we include one at an acclaimed wine cellar, but there are several other cantinas open to visitors. Spring, when the vines burst into life, is a delight, while in September, the vines hang heavy with grapes and villagers prepare for the harvest, which is duly followed by lively celebrations.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 6 8 12 16 20 24 27 27 23 17 11 7
    mm 48 35 50 73 46 26 12 14 38 62 80 44
  • Arrival in Castiglione Falletto
    Night 1: at Hotel le Torri or Relais Casa Sobrero (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
  • Linear walk from Castiglione Falletto: 11.5km, 4.5hrs; ascent 405m/descent 255m
    This route leads gently uphill through vineyards and hazel groves to Annunziata, a village with a 12th-century church, and a cantina offering wine tastings. Beyond the village are sweeping views; by the time you reach a giant cedar tree the vistas stretch as far as the Alps on a clear day. Your destination, La Morra, is visible on the crest of a hill as you continue north-west through more vineyards and hazel groves. It’s well worth lingering in La Morra. Besides a handful of restaurants, there are several churches containing interesting art works, a bell tower, a small market on Mondays and weekends, and a cantina comunale where you can taste wines from the 70 local producers. When you are ready to leave, take a taxi back to your hotel (pay locally).
    Linear walk from Castiglione Falletto: 11.5km
    En route to La Morra
  • Castiglione Falletto to Monforte d'Alba: 8.5km, 3.5hrs; ascent 395m/descent 200m

    Heading generally south today, you begin with a descent before a long but gradual ascent through vineyards and light woodland inhabited by red squirrels. You pass a beautiful little frescoed church and may wish to take a short detour to the village of Perno for a wine tasting. For the latter part of the day’s route you follow a very panoramic track which overlooks the two neighbouring valleys. There’s even a big, colourful bench (part of a project conceived by a former BMW designer) where you can sit and enjoy the very best of the views which, like yesterday, stretch towards the Alps. You spend your last two nights in Monforte d'Alba, at the Villa Beccaris or Il Giardino da Felicin. Be sure to stroll around the village, taking in its mansion, several Baroque chapels, 13th-century bell tower, and sundials.
    Castiglione Falletto to Monforte d'Alba: 8.5km
    Good signposting
  • Circular walk from Monforte d'Alba: 9.5km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 305m
    Fittingly, your last day’s walk leads along scenic tracks to Barolo, the small town whose name is synonymous with wine production. Here, we include a visit to the Marchesi di Barolo Wine Cellar followed by a tasting. Afterwards, it is well worth visiting the town’s innovative wine museum, WiMu, housed in the castle. Rather than focusing on how wine is made, it takes a cultural angle, examining the traditions surrounding the production and consumption of wine. To complete a wine-themed day, you could even visit the neighbouring corkscrew museum (closed Thursdays), which boasts 500 examples from around the world and charts design evolutions over the centuries.
    Circular walk from Monforte d'Alba: 9.5km
    The town of Barolo
 

Accommodation

You stay in two medieval villages, in fittingly historic buildings.

In some places, we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.

Whichever hotel you stay at in Monforte d'Alba, we recommend adding an extra night as the village is a great place to relax.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
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  • 4 nights: 01 May 2024 - 30 June 2024, 01 September 2024 - 31 October 2024, 01 May 2025 - 30 June 2025 & 01 September 2025 - 31 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 May - 26 Jun 2024 £895 £315
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £910 £330
    1 - 27 Oct 2024 £865 £335
    1 May - 26 Jun 2025 £935 £330
    1 - 30 Sep 2025 £950 £345
    1 - 27 Oct 2025 £900 £350
    3rd & 4th person discount -£110 to -£114
    Single traveller supplement £110 to £114

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Albergo le Torri, Castiglione Falletto
    Suite deluxe: 01 May - 30 Jun 2024 £18
    Suite deluxe: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £20
    Suite deluxe: 01 May - 30 Jun 2025 £19
    Suite deluxe: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £21
    Superior with view: 01 May - 30 Jun 2024 £13
    Superior with view: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £15
    Superior with view: 01 May - 30 Jun 2025 £14
    Superior with view: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £16
    Hotel Villa Beccaris, Monforte d’Alba
    Deluxe: 01 May - 30 Jun 2024 £66
    Deluxe: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £62
    Deluxe: 01 May - 30 Jun 2025 £69
    Deluxe: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £64
    Suite: 01 May - 30 Jun 2024 £145
    Suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £135
    Suite: 01 May - 30 Jun 2025 £155
    Suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £145
    Superior: 01 May - 30 Jun 2024 £35
    Superior: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £37
    Superior: 01 May - 30 Jun 2025 £36
    Superior: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £38

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel Villa Beccaris, Monforte d’Alba (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 May - 30 Jun 2024 £150 £271
    01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £155 £276
    01 May - 30 Jun 2025 £160 £290
    01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £165 £295
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Turin or Genoa
    ALTERNATIVE AIRPORT(S):
    Milan Malpensa or Milan Linate
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Milan Malpensa. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Turin (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Genoa (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Turin (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Turin (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Edinburgh - Genoa (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Genoa British Airways,  Vueling 
    Gatwick - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Gatwick - Turin British Airways,  easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Heathrow - Genoa (via Rome Fiumicino) Alitalia 
    Heathrow - Turin (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Heathrow - Turin (via Rome Fiumicino) Alitalia 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Turin Blue Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Genoa Ryanair 
    Stansted - Turin Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Genoa Ryanair 
    Manchester - Genoa (via Paris) Air France 
    Manchester - Turin jet2 
    Manchester - Turin (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Manchester - Turin (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Turin (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Turin (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Southampton - Genoa (via Paris) Air France 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Milan Malpensa. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Genoa

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Genoa P.P. to Asti station (1h25), taxi Asti station to hotel (0h40) included 1930
    direct taxi Genoa airport to hotel (2h) £103-£111 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Mondovi station (0h45), rail Mondovi station to Genoa P.P. (2h40) included 1200
    direct taxi hotel to Genoa airport (2h30) £103-£116 flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Turin

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    direct taxi Turin airport to hotel (1h30) £55-£67 flexible
    rail Turin P.N. to Asti station (0h55), taxi Asti station to hotel (0h40) included 2000
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to Turin airport (1h45) £55-£72 flexible
    taxi hotel to Fossano station (0h45), rail Fossano station to Turin P.N. (0h50) included 0930
What is included
  • 4 nights
  • 4 breakfasts
    1 picnic
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • a wine-tasting
  • return rail & taxi from Turin or Genoa airport
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 4 reviews
  • Mr C Davis
    Leatherhead
    04 September 2023

    We had a lovely holiday.  The hotels were very different from each other but both fantastic in their own ways.  Hotel Le Torri was small and family run; the service felt very personal and we liked their eco approach.  Their restaurant was very good indeed.  Hotel Villa Beccaris had the feel of a bigger hotel and was the more spectacular of the two.  The service in both hotels was excellent.

    The background information and recommendations were very helpful.

  • Anon
    11 May 2023

    All of the restaurants we used were your recommendations, and all were were excellent, especially Le Torri. We had 3 nights in Turin at the start of the holiday and really enjoyed the city. 

    INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers did our self-guided walking holiday 'A Taste of Barolo' in combination with our city add-on in Turin.

  • Anon
    28 September 2022

    Inntravel did an amazing job of putting together our very complicated holiday ('A Taste of Barolo' and 'Genoa & the Portofino Peninsula' Walk and City break, with additional stays in Turin, Zurich and Paris) that we could travel by rail and visit several centres.  As always the staff were helpful, friendly and so efficient.  We enjoyed both the walking holidays and the city stays and the Inntravel notes and information were very useful.  We had amazing meals at both Le Torri and L'Argaj in Castiglione Falletto and loved the Albergo Le Torri where we had a wonderful view from our room.

  • Mrs Cullen, Edinburgh
    19 September 2022

    Another beautiful area of Italy to walk in.  We found the planned routes to be short enough that we adapted our days and added suggested diversions (and even some of our own!) with ease.  Cannot recommend the Restaurant L'Argaj in Castiglione Falletto highly enough, and the hospitality at Le Torri.  Thanks, Inntravel!
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Italy, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The principal official language is Italian, though some regions have a second official language, such as South Tyrol, where German is widely spoken. The currency is the Euro. Italian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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