The Piedmont

The Piedmont is a region with something to offer for everyone. It is the ideal region for both a culinary and active holiday. A region with a rich history and many traditions which are still important. And all this surrounded by beautiful nature and old villages. In short: the real Italy not yet flooded by tourists, pure, affordable and with a very friendly population.

Suggestions for day trips

Hiking

Nearby the house hiking trips can be made from hiking trails through the vineyards leaving from the house. Behind the house take the sandy road which first goes through nature (follow it up hill at the junction) towards the town of Melazzo. A hike of about 45 minutes partly on sandy roads and partly on (quiet) normal road. In Melazzo there is bakery.

Cimaferle, belongs to Ponzone and is 5 km from Ponzone furhter into the hills/mountains. One can make beautiful hiking tours from there and then afterwards go the shop Salumifico Cimaferle which has home made cheese, pasta, honey but foremost salami , really one of the best and recommended by Slowfood.

In addition the region offers nature parks with beautiful hikes and panoramic views.

Sasselo (Foresta della Deiva)

Percosi Verdi

Parc Beigua

Sentieri

Markets

Most of the small towns and villages regularly have markets, for example Canelli and Acqui Terme. Twice a week there is a very well sorted market in the old centre of Acqui Terme where you can buy local and seasonal products.

Antique markets

Asti, Nizza Monferrato, Acqui Therme and Canelli, all offer once a month interesting antique markets.

Z

Nizza Monferrato (each 3rd Sunday of the month)

Z

Acqui Terme (every last Sunday of the month)

Z

Asti (every 4th Sunday of the month)

Z

Canelli (every last Sunday of the month)

Cycling trips

The region offers many possibilities for cycling trips, including race cycling, through the hills.

Outdoor activities

The company offers excellent mountain biking, trekking and tasting activities. Degree can be easy to experienced. All activities combine the activities with the pleasures of the Piemonte being food and wine. All activities include a guide. We have done a mountainbike tour of 40km including a visit to Forteto della Luja (winery). He uses good equipment and the tour includes sufficient offroad paths through wineyards and the forest. Paths you will not find yourself. Includes as well great views from hill tops. Absolutely recommended.

Outdoor live

Turin

A historical city, former capital of the Savoy region, with glorious palaces, churches, shops and galleries. After admiring the city and maybe some great shopping, the terraces next to the Po river and Piazza Vittorio Veneto offer the perfect place to relax.

Turismo Torino

Ovada

A beautiful historic city with many art galleries and good restaurants and vineyards.

Alba

Famous worldwide for its truffles, and also the capital of the Barolo and Barbaresco region.

Asti

City with a beautiful old center and best known for the Palio that takes place once a year in September.

Canelli

Nice town with good wine houses. Throughout the town there are cellars with good wines , worth a visit.

Nizza Monferrato

Small town with beautiful little centre and some very good restaurants. The route from Acqui Therme via Alice Belle Colle to Nizza offers superb views on the vineyards.

Fontanile

Little village with a splendid, grand old church.

Wine itinerary

The region offers multiple wine itineraries leading you to the best vineyards and beautiful villages.

Strada del vino

Italian Riviera and Cinque Terra

Visit the historical old cities Camogli (with boat trips to San Fruttuoso cave and the old abbey), Portofino and Santa Margherita, with their little streets and old harbors, all within one hour driving distance. Cinque Terra is a two hour drive. It can be busy and touristic during summer, but it offers beautiful and relaxed hiking with a train returning you to the start point. In the direction of France you will find the old Riviera cities Bordigera, Ventimiglia and San Remo.

Horse riding

Visone, which is nearby, offers opportunities for horse riding.

Scuderia Valle Ferri

Spa and hot water springs

Acqui Therme offers lovely hot water springs and spa’s for all kinds of treatments and relaxing.

Terme di Acqui

Ponzone

Beautiful town a few kilometres uphill from Cavatore. Beautiful views especially from the terrace in the back off Bar/Coffee corner Malo (walk all the way to the back of the shop) and watch the local men play cards. Next to that nice to stroll through the town and for example see the church.

Genua

Beautifull old town, known as an ugly harbour town but has a great Unesco protected old city center. More than worthwhile to go to. . Take the train who from Acqui Terme which drops you, after a 1 hour beautiful train ride, straight in the city center of Genoa without struggling to park your car.

Monastero Bormida

Nice little town close by Acqui. Worthwhile to visit the beautiful old monastery.

Sacret Mountains

Piemonte has a number of sacret mountains. One of them is 30 kilometres North of Asti, so not so far and worthwhile the trip. It is Sanctuario di Crea. Combine it with a stop at Castel Alfrero for lunch. (see also Restaurants)

Il Santuario

The Royal Residences of the House of Savoy

Beautifull palaces in the heart of Turino and outside Turino. Especially the hunting palace
(Palazzina di Caccia at Stupinigi) is beautifull and recently restored and Unesco protected.

Palazzina di Caccia at Stupinigi

Royal Residences

Tourist information

Piemonte Italia

SWIMMING IN THE ERRO

This mountain river flows from Sassello towards Acqui Terme. Take the road from Melazzo to Sassello and just past the swimming pool of Cartosio there are 2 spots on the right where you can swim. The local residents often sit here on hot days. 1 spot is near a small dam and 1 spot is a bit closer to the Cartosio swimming pool and there you can jump into the water from the rocks. Great when water levels allow.