Discover a different side to the Piedmont, Italy's 'Garden of Eden', on this self-guided cycling holiday. Cycle along the rivers of Po, Sesia and Tanaroand and pass through lush scenery as you make your way from Turin to Asti and back.
Sample delicious local cuisine, such as risotto and Asti wine, and spend time in Turin where you will have time to explore its many attractions, including the Museum of the Holy Shroud and The Museo Egizio, home to one of the largest collections of Ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world.
Day 1: Arrival in Turin
This evening, there will be a personal tour briefing. Rental bikes will also be distributed. Turin, the former capital of Italy awaits! There is plenty to see and do in this richly historic city.
Day 2: Turin – Pinerolo approx. 50 km
You will cycle along the river Po on cycle paths and quiet side roads. You should take your time to appreciate the palace of Stupinigi. Designed in the rococo style by the architect Filippo Juvarra, this stunning structure, the palace features on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Originally built as a hunting lodge, the palace was the residence for the family of Savoyen for many years. After, you will continue on your bicycle along rivers, eventually you will arrive at Pinerolo, which is famous for its well-known cavalry school.
Day 3: Pinerolo – Saluzzo approx. 45 km
Beautiful paths will guide you along, through fruit orchards and vineyards, to Cavour. Here, you will see the quaint fortress “Rocca” – a hill in the middle of flat landscape. Eventually, you will come to medieval Saluzzo.
Day 4: Saluzzo – Bra approx. 65 km
Highlights of today will include passing the beautiful palaces of Manta and Costigliole. You could also make a visit to Bene Vagienna. In ancient times, it is believed to have been the capital of the Ligurian tribe of the Bagienni, and it is known for its archaeological excavations. Afterwards, you will continue to Cherasco and Bra, an area famous for its gourmet culture. The organisation “Slow Food” was founded here.
Day 5: Bra –Barolo – Alba approx. 50 km
In Pollenzo, another city with Roman roots, you will find the University of “tastefulness”. After Barolo the route will take you over some hills, but you will be “compensated” with some of Italy’s best wine afterwards. You must have a taste! Along the river Tanaro you continue to Alba, a town made famous by it’s exquisite truffles.
Day 6: Alba – Asti approx. 40 km
Today you will ride through the region of Roero. En route, you will see the palaces of Guarene and Cisterna. There is also a great museum that you can visit (entry price is not included). Your overnight stay is in the cultural city of Asti. Famous for its sparkling wine and the Palio horse races.
Day 7: Asti – Chieri – Turin approx. 45 km + train travel
The final day of riding leads you, on secondary paths, and along small rivers back to Turin, where your journey began. On your way, you will pass quaint and romantic villages. In Chieri, tasty vines tempt you to a final glass of wine, before you head back to Turin by train.
Day 8: Departure or extension
You cycle on bike paths and side roads. The first two stages are predominantly flat. Afterwards the tour course has a rather hilly routing. On the stage from Bra to Barolo to Alba there are also a few longer ascents to cycle. In the cities you cycle on roads with heavier traffic.
Total distance cycled: 295 km
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
Starting point of the cycling holiday:Turin
We recommend flying to Turin airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
By Train:
Train station Porta Susa:
Hotel Boston: taxi takes about 10 minutes and costs about €10. Alternatively, you can catch bus number 10
and get out of the bus at “Einaudi”, then catch the cable car line 16 and exit at the 3rd stop (Corso Re Umberto)
Hotel Executive: taxi takes about 10 minutes and costs about €10. Alternatively, you can catch the metro to the train station Porta Nuova, from there it is a 10 minutes walk to the hotel.
Train station Porta Nuova:
Hotel Boston: the hotel is about 800 m from the train station. Cost for a taxi approx. €6. Or catch cable car
number 4 or bus number 63 (Via Sacchi/corner Corso Vittorio Emanuele II) towards Mirafiori Sud exit at the 3rd stop (Turati), follow Corso Sommeiller at the corner of Corso Turati/corner Corso Sommeiler about 150 m then turn right into Via Massena to the hotel.
Hotel Executive: the hotel is about 700m from the train station. Cost for a taxi approx. €6.; it is a 10 minutes walk
along the Via Nizza to the hotel.
By Plane:
Sandro Pertini Airport in Caselle (Turin): taxi takes about 30 minutes and costs about €35; catch the train from the airport and exit at Dora GTT, then catch the Linea Dora Fly to Via Bertola and exit there, take the cable car number 4 (further see above the arrival by train Porta Nuova); catch the bus line NAVETTA SADEM and exit at the train station Porta Nuova (further see above arrival by train Porta Nuova)
Malpensa Airport in Mailand: catch the bus from the company SADEM towards Turin (departure all 2 or 2,5 h, takes about 2 hours and costs 22 Euro per person, tickets are available at the airport at the “shop airport 200” or “Malpensa bus express”.
By Long-distance coach:
For further information on time schedules and booking by the provider Flixbus.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Turin and Piedmont cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Men's Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
The hotel list below is subject to change and should be used as a guide. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival. | |
Turin and Piedmont | Sample Hotel List |
Turin | Best Western Plus Executive Hotel and Suites |
Pinerolo | Albergo Regina |
Saluzzo | Hotel Antiche Mura |
Bra | Albergo Cantine Ascheri |
Alba | Hotel Calissano |
Asti | Hotel Aleramo |
Turin | Best Western Plus Executive Hotel and Suites |
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by calling 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 27.03.-16.04.2021 | 25.09.-09.10.2021 | Saturdays |
Season 2: | 17.04.-21.05.2021 | 04.09.-24.09.2021 | Saturdays |
Season 3: | 22.05.-03.09.2021 | Saturdays |
Season | Prices per person excluding bike hire |
Season 1: | £785 |
Season 2: | £850 |
Season 3: | £915 |
Single Room Supplement: | £375 |
Bike Rental: | £80 |
E-Bike Upgrade: | £180 |
Rental Bike PLUS: | £125 |
Category Type | Accommodation Overview |
Category A: | 3* / 4* Hotels |
Location | Price DBL/BB | Single Supplement Price SGL/BB |
Turin: | £80 | £135 |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
27 March 2021 | 09 October 2021 |