Alba: sbandieratori davanti alla cattedrale

I castelli tra i vigneti delle Langhe

Awaiting you is a journey through the most fascinating places in the Langhe and the Riviera of the Flowers. Come along and discover for yourself the magical spots in two areas so rich and abundant, so full of history and tradition, where you will see stunning panoramas and where you will find the special cuisine so authentic, so genuine.

The Langhe and Roero is a hilly area where you will be amazed by the vivacity and range of the colours on view thanks to the vegetation, both wild and cultivated. On the hilltops there are ancient towns and villages, dominated by magnificent fortress strongholds, or by high church bell towers.

Panoramas and gastronomy are the two major attractions of this vast and wonderful area which is (justifiably) so proud of it’s wine production. There is also something very special to be found in the little woods of the hills, for here you will find the special ingredients which bring distinctiveness and distinction to the local cuisine: mushrooms, aromatic herbs and, above all, truffles.

You will then continue your journey, following the sea breeze, to the Riviera Ponente, a little casket full of excitement, tastes and colours.

The seaside, where the stunningly clear light and the emerald hue of the waves as they meet the rocks, awaits you. The gentle hills looking out over the sea are covered in olive trees in full bloom which filter the warm Riviera sunbeams with their branches. In this way the olives gently ripen and are used to produce the “gold” of the Riviera, the excellent extra virgin olive oil which is at the base of so much that is delicious from the area.

The Langhe and the Riviera of the Flowers offer you a sweet smelling and tasty bouquet to smell and taste at your leisure.

1st Day

Arrival in your chosen 3 or 4 star hotel in late afternoon for check in. Dinner and overnight stay.

2nd Day: The Langhe… her perfumes and tastes.

A day dedicated to getting to know Alba, the capital of the Langhe, which will open her doors to display to you an endless supply of pleasures and marvels which will undoubtedly fascinate you.

In the morning a guided tour of the historic centre of the capital of the Langhe, Alba which is also known as the city of the hundred towers. The city, due to it’s position among rolling hills, is an amphitheatre rich in a long history. The historic centre is a medieval affair where you will find numerous towers rising skyward and streets full of Romano-Gothic monuments, such as the imposing cathedral.

This visit is not advised for Mondays as shops in Italy generally remain closed on Monday mornings.

At the end of your tour you will move on to Valle Talloria d’Alba where you will make an enchanting tour of Barolo. The landscape provides a stunning backdrop to your visit with it’s stunning castles and pristine vineyards.

In a local wine merchants you will be afforded the opportunity of tasting the “vino per eccellenza” of the Langhe accompanied by some local delicacies.

In the afternoon your tour will take you on to the imposing and suggestive fortress/castle of Serralunga, whose position provides superb panoramas over this wholly intact medieval village. The castle was stormed and taken by Spanish forces in 1616. The castle has been the property of the state since 1950, when it was restored, an action carried out under the orders of the president of the republic, Luigi Einaudi. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

3rd Day: Between the Alps and the sea… on to the Riviera of Flowers.

In this exciting day you will visit one of the most colourful spots in the Langhe before heading towards the reknowned beauty of the Riviera.

In the morning you will stop in the delightful village of Sinio, 30 kms. from Alba. Here you will visit the premises of a “torronificio” (a kind of nougat) where you will be able to observe the production process of “torrone”. Torrone is considered to be one of the most typical of products from the Langhe, and, in this way, you begin your day very sweetly. At the end of the visit you may wish to buy some of the produce at the adjacent shop.

Afterwards you will set off for Finale Ligure where you will find the medieval village of Finalborgo. This enclosed locality offers further interesting shopping opportunities.

Lunch in a restaurant which we have carefully selected for you.

After lunch you will travel on to Sanremo. Arrival will be in late afternoon in your chosen 3 or 4 star hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

4th Day: The Riviera of Ponente... the festival of olives and flowers.

This day is dedicated to the discovery of olive cultivation and to the beautiful villas and gardens which so enrich the city of Sanremo.

In the morning you will take the motorway to Imperia where you will visit the museum of the olive (closed on Sundays), owned by the “Fratelli Carli” company of Imperia. Situated in the heart of Oneglia which has been an oil port for millennia, the museum won the prize for European Museum of the year in 1993, sponsored by the council of Europe. In the display rooms of the museum you will find recreated the production conditions of a typical olive oil producer. After seeing the historical production methods you will be able to visit the modern establishment of the Fratelli Carli and to do some shopping in the adjacent shop.

Afterwards you will travel on to a modern oil press in Valle Impero, where you will see for yourself the most modern production techniques, from the outset to the verification of quality which makes the extra virgin olive oil of the Riviera so special.

To follow on there will be the opportunity to try some local delicacies.

In the afternoon you will have the chance to appreciate the beauty of the city of Sanremo, the city of the flowers, during a tour designed to show off the artistry of the city. There is a guided tour of the Villa Ormond, built by the local Rambaldi family before being taken over by the Parisian Ormond family in 1887. The plants which give so much colour to the garden come from every corner of the globe, from the Canaries to Japan, from Tasmania to China and from California to Brazil.

In the immediate vicinity you will find the Villa Nobel, the last home of the Swedish scientist, Alfred Nobel. You are invited to visit both the exterior and the interior of the villa which is located in a park full of pavilions and ornamental statues. In the interior you will find a collection of relics and equipment which belonged to the scientist on display. The exhibits include his laboratory, and the apartment where he drew up the famous testimony which brought to life the prize bearing his name.

At the end of your visit you will have the opportunity to go shopping in the elegant streets of Sanremo.

Return to your hotel, dinner, musical entertainment and overnight stay.

5th Day: Departure after breakfast.