LANGHE AND CINQUE TERRE: ON THE TRAIL OF TASTE - TRIP CODE: LANGHETAST
5 days 4 nights
1st day: Gavi and its hills
Arrival expected in the afternoon in one of the southernmost parts of the province of Alessandria, exactly in the Alto Monferrato. Here you will visit the Fort of Gavi with your guide, an ancient stronghold erected on a hill from which to watch over the village of Gavi and the surrounding countryside, which today are just a few kilometres from the border with Liguria. Then you will visit the splendid Tenuta La Scolca, located in Gavi, with the historic cellar and you will be able to taste the wines that have made this area famous in the world. In the evening, transfer to the hotel in Alba, free dinner and overnight stay.
2nd day: Barolo and Langhe
Breakfast at the hotel and full day dedicated to a guided tour of the Barolo and Langhe area, located in a very special area: protected by the Alps to the north, west and south and characterized by an environment with great biodiversity.
The weather, therefore, is exceptionally favourable for viticulture: thanks to the cold continental temperatures and the well-defined seasons, the grapes can exalt particularly fine and intense aromas. Barolo is born in these conditions. Its name means "low place" because, although it is located on the top of the hill overlooking the valley towards Alba, it is surrounded by higher hills that protect it from weather fronts and extreme air flow. After a walking tour of the village, home to the famous wine produced with Nebbiolo grapes, Barolo wine tasting in the building overlooking the Castle of the Marchesi Falletti. Visit of the historic ninth century cellar and the "winery", where it is also possible to buy wines together with the peculiar products of the region. The tour lasts about 30 minutes and includes the tasting of the most representative wines. During the tour you will learn the history of a winery where, in the heart of the Langhe and protected by rolling hills, this wine was born, which, as French tradition suggests, was called Barolo as the city where it was first produced. No one at that moment could have imagined that it was destined one day to be the king: the king of wines, the wine of kings.
After the tasting visit of the Langhe region; stop at Belvedere di la Morra for an incredible view of the countryside.
Free lunch. Possible stop at the Montezemolo winery for a wine tasting. The excursion ends with a guided tour of Alba, the city of white truffles, where it will be possible to buy Alba's "white gold". Free dinner and return to the hotel in Alba.
3rd day: The Cinque Terre Park
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer by own means to La Spezia. Full day dedicated to a guided trekking excursion to discover the beautiful Cinque Terre Park, an area where sea and land come together to create a unique and suggestive area.
The Cinque Terre have been inaccessible from the land for centuries, isolated by steep mountains and valleys on one side and by the sea itself on the other. Thanks to its isolation, the unspoiled charm of this area has been protected by the World Heritage Site and a National Park. Accompanied by our expert guide, you will discover the spectacle of this coast and the marvellous villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, following the light blue path, the most famous and known, traced over the centuries by those who used it habitually to move.
It used to connect the 5 villages to each other (in some points it is a real mule track that winds sheer to the sea). During the day you will visit a typical cellar, where the various stages of processing and cultivation will be illustrated and where you can taste typical wines and local products with a possible visit to the vineyard.
Free lunch. Transfer to the hotel in La Spezia / Cinque Terre. Free dinner and overnight stay.
4th day: Portovenere and Palmaria Island
Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to a magical guided tour tour that will take you to discover the splendid village of Portovenere with its marina and the small Church of San Pietro, built on the extreme tip of the town from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea.
You will also learn about the history of the castle, dating back to the 12th century, the White Madonna’s Sanctuary and the Byron Cave, where the English poet went to get inspiration for his poems.
Stop for free lunch.
In the afternoon the tour continues by boat to know Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto Islands. Palmaria Island, certainly the best known, is rich in Mediterranean scrub and steep cliffs, unlike Tinetto instead, which is completely bare of vegetation, while on Tino, now a military area, we can find vestiges dating back to the 11th century. Upon returning to Portovenere, in full relaxation, you can enjoy a delicious ice cream overlooking the sea. In the evening free dinner and overnight at the hotel.
5th day: Sarzana and Luni
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Sarzana. In the morning guided tour of the ancient fortified village, where we still find Porta Romana, Bastioni della Cittadella and the splendid Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. At the end we recommend a walk through the picturesque secondary streets to discover the many characteristic shops in the centre, perhaps with a short stop in a pastry shop to taste the typical Spungata of Sarzana.
Afterwards we recommend a visit to Luni with the vast archaeological area and the splendid Museum.
Free lunch and departure.
