Piedmont's Hills & Vineyards

The whole trip was really wonderful, it is difficult to pick any specific highlights. We really liked the variation in the walks - woods, fields, vineyards, etc. and beautiful views the entire time. The walks were just strenuous enough that we felt like we earned our pasta and wine. The main recommendation would be to pack your comfortable hiking shoes and wear layers. The restaurants with the included dinners were excellent - San Carlo was very special, with two menus made just for us and Maurizio was excellent as well. 

The Piemonte itinerary divides into two distinct secions, one in the hazel nut growing area and the other in the wine growing area. This gives the opportunity to experience two differing landscapes in the Piemonte hills area. 

The hotels varied considerably in style and presentation, which was also an enriching experience. 

We felt secure with regard to the Covid 19 virus issue. The Italians are very well organised. Hand sanitiser was to be found at all relevant points in the hotels and restaurants and other establishments. Face mask wearing is de rigeur and well observed. Even the railways had staff cleaning  as the trains went along and packs of masks etc were handed out on the express. Our temperatures were taken on boarding the express from Turin to Milan (It was going on to Rome). It took a couple of seconds.  The hotels were all careful to maintain standards laid down by the tourist authorities. They all had breakfast arrangements to deal with the customary buffet hotel service. In most instances there was no curtailment of choice. In one hotel there was a choice of 3 breakfast types which were specified on a form handed out on arrival. Whilst this led to a potential restriction of choice the arrangement was totally adequate and well thought through. 

The open landscape of the wine growing areas give little opportunity for shade in hot weather. Adequate water is essential.

This was a wonderful walk, full of interest and beauty, even though the Alps remained hidden by a wall of fog throughout!  It is hilly, but every climb is rewarded by a panorama, the tapestry of vineyards and hazel plantations contrasting with patches of woodland (no nettles!) and the built environment. There are surprises: it was strange to find rowboats near the cemetery at the top of the hill in Bergolo (waiting for the Flood?).  

Having had such a golden opportunity to look closely at the way the vines are managed, we arrived at our La Morra tasting with a list of questions, all answered enthusiastically by the young woman organising our array of samples. There is more to the wine of the area than just Barolo. Red, white, a bewildering selection - we loved Arneis, a local white.

And the food! Carlo Zarri gives local flavours full measure - his cookbook reveals just how few, but carefully chosen, ingredients he needs to create amazingly complex dishes. Hazelnuts as we’ve never experienced them before! It was delicious all the way - Piedmont has thrown its culinary hat into the ring with the Basques (Pyrenees to the Atlantic) and the Andalucians (Treasures of Aracena).

We had 2 days in Turin at the end. It’s a grand city, but our strongest memory will be stepping out of the fabulous Egyptian museum into the weekend plant and flower market that stretches for blocks in all directions.

The welcome dinner in Cortemilia was exceptional and our next favourite meal was at L'Argaj in Castiglione Falletto. The views are out of this world if you have good weather, and we were lucky enough to have dry tracks for walking. Had they been muddy, many parts of the trails would have been very slippery and would have slowed us down considerably. The walking was a challenge in parts but we loved every bit of it.

We were lucky to have a week of full sun, though temperatures were higher than average (28-30 deg C) making it a bit uncomfortable and with more insect bites than expected. The food and wine were excellent and the local hazelnuts, which were being harvested, were delicious. The Marchesi di Barolo wine tasting was a good way to end the holiday.

Of our ten Inntravel trips to date non can surpass this for the combination of amazing scenery, outstanding food/wine and good accommodation.

This trip included peaceful walks through beautiful countryside of hazelnut groves and vineyards, and the accommodations were excellent. People were incredibly helpful and welcoming everywhere. We did the walk in mid-June, and there was quite a bit of hot sun, especially in the vineyards, but on the other hand most hotels had pools, which were delightful. Walking conditions are not difficult, but there is a lot of uphill. Autumn is probably the optimal time for the trip, but I imagine it would be more crowded then. The food was excellent, but be prepared for lots of meat and pasta, not so much salad and vegetables. Wine was spectacular, and the visit to a Barolo winery was exceptionally well done.

This is an interesting holiday passing through beautiful forests, hazel groves anad vineyards on good paths. Travelling in early May we saw many different orchids and other wild flowers, heard the cuckoo non-stop and enjoyed some super meals. Included meals perhaps a bit heavy on the veal and tuna mayo offerings. Packed lunches were generous and tasty.  

The scenery is fantastic here, really verdant and beautiful with the mountains in the background. My only tips for future customers are those relating to the swimming pools and cafes in small villages.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: As with much of southern Europe, outdoor pools are usually open June to September, with exact dates dependent on weather conditions. In this region, cafes are generally open throughout the season but it is not uncommon for them to close for several hours each afternoon.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: Mr Robertson did both our Lakes & Julian Alps holiday with an add-on in Ljubljana, then our Piedmont's Hills & Vineyards followed by a stay in Turin.

The beauty of the walk in Slovenia. The friendliness  and helpfulness of the hoteliers with special mention of Apartment Rozle. 

Enjoyed the Piedmont area of Italy. Take care if there has been rain - the heavy clay soils of the vineyards stick to footwear and slopes up or down become very slippery. Walking along country roads to get to destinations is not so bad in those conditions!

See comments above.

The panoramic views were as stunning, and the food as excellent, as suggested.  The difference between the first part, where the landscapes were wilder and the main produce hazelnuts, and the second, where the vineyards ran over the tops of the rolling hills (except where there were hilltop villages) with hazel groves in the valleys, made a good contrast.

We would highly recommend this trip. While we were perhaps a bit early in the season as we had rain about every other day, the scenery was beautiful and the walks were rated appropriately.

Our stay at Hotel-Ristorante San Carlo was wonderful. Carlo and his wife could not have made us more welcome. Of course the food was fabulous as Carlo is an internationally-known chef. Breakfast was delightful and our picnic lunch was as expected from a gourmet! We did the walk up to Bergolo and it was absolutely devoid of people. The art displays are wonderful and there is a festival there in September. The one restaurant, l’Bunet, appeared to be closed. We knocked on the door and the owner opened up for us, calling in the cooks from their houses. We were the only ones in the restaurant and had a fabulous meal. He too is a well-known chef and sent his regards to Carlo. 

The Albergo da Maurizio was a welcome sight after a walk in the rain. Dinner was great as would be expected from another noted chef and sommelier. It was surprising then that the picnic lunch was not up to standard. Cravanzana is very small, everything was closed so there isn’t much to see after a quick walk through the village. Perhaps you would consider another village stop-over, or a transfer.

It rained the day we walked to Castiglione Falletto. When we arrived wet and muddy at the Albergo Le Torri. They were so gracious showing us where we could clean our shoes and then put them in the boiler room to dry. They also offered us the use of their washer and dryer to rid our clothes of mud and grime. After we refreshed we went to La Terrazza for a glass of wine. A locally owned “bar” run by a lovely Italian woman was such fun. We then dined at La Locanda and were the only ones in the restaurant. The roasted artichokes are to die for! The second night we had dinner at La Torri. Again a lovely restaurant with stellar service. We also recommend the “wine tasting” at Cantina Comunale. Unbelievable, but do make a reservation.

Overcast and cool when we walked to the Hotel Villa Becaris but once we got there the hotel was a flashback to a gentler time. The rooms are luxuriously decorated in the “old style”. Bathrooms were full of amenities and towels were thick. Staff was very helpful and the breakfast room provides a vast selection and a view of the entire valley below. We ate dinner one evening at Le Case Della’s Saracca which is situated just down from the hotel in a wine cave. Interesting interior, delicious food and staff is friendly. Walking to Barolo we visited the Marchesi di Barolo Wine Cellar then had lunch at Rossi Barolo a cafe on the Main Street. Large wine selection and seating both upstairs street-level and downstairs.

This is a beautiful part of Italy that is still fresh and unspoiled. People are friendly and were surprised to see walkers from the U.S. as opposed to the U.K. We laughed at ourselves, ate and drank some of the best wine from the region and will continue to provide Inntravel’s name and website to our friends and colleagues. 

We loved the area and the combination of beautiful countryside, delicious food and excellent wines made for a great holiday. The villages / towns we stayed in were also picturesque (Cortemilia less so). We had perfect weather for a walking holiday, sunny but not too hot (late Sept / early Oct). We also enjoyed a number of wine tastings: the Cantina Comunale in La Morra (excellent), the comunale in Castiglione and another in Novello (in addition to the organised one at the Marchesi di Barolo).

Another very good Inntravel walk - lovely scenery of vineyards, hazelnut groves, hilltop villages etc. Would recommend La Locanda for dinner in Castiglione Falletto - excellent meal, slightly quirky owner but speaks good English. We spent few hours in Asti en route (left bags at toursit office) and would recommend staying in Turin - we had 3 nights, lots to see.

We had a super time on this trip, fabulous walking, views, food, accommodation and wine. My only comment is you do need to be very fit to enjoy the hills.

We were lucky enough to be in Piedmont during the grape harvest - what a spectacle it has been for us. All the hotels were very friendly and we didn't feel that we were missing out for not having gone for the upgrade options.

My favourite hotel was Hotel le Torri where we were allocated room number 5 with amazing views across the vineyards.

For eating out, thoroughly recommend the hotel restaurant at Hotel le Torri (sitting on the terrace as the sun went down) and La Locanda del Centro in Castiglione Falletto.

For eating out in Monforte d'Alba, wouldn't hesitate to recommend Osteria dei Catari.

The walks themselves are all very varied and scenic but there are some very steep climb sections in every walk which may not suit everybody.

As for the organisation by Inntravel, well this was just outstanding service and great value. I won't hesitate to book again with Inntravel and will recommend to others.