Afternoon arrival in Acqui Terme via train where you'll be greeted and transported by van to our inn, Casina Marcantonio. We'll meet our hosts, Guido & Andreea.  Have a welcome dinner.  Meet our guides, Matteo & Aad. Check out our bikes, and go for a short test ride to get familiar with the gearing and breaking.  The Cascinia Marcantonio is a 19th century farmhouse which has been renovated recently into a beautiful place to stay. It offers spacious rooms with air conditioning, a large pool and a restaurant.

Our cycling vacation begins with a beautiful tour through the vineyards above Acqui Terme. This area has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2014. We’ll cycle among the vineyards and villages that lie above the city.  This is an area with great views of the alpine giants: Monviso, Monte Bianco and Monte Rosa. Among others you pass through these little villages: Terzo, Montabone, Castelboglione and Alice Bel Colle. The views are spectacular from the hilltop villages. During the ride, we will visit a winery and we have lunch in a traditional Piemontese restaurant.

Today we’ll cycle through quiet villages, where time has stood still, through a special landscape: the "Calanchi".  These are gray ridges, which look like slate mountains. In Pareto you will find a nice little restaurant, where you really feel like you are back in time. Here are some villages you pass through: Cavatore, Ponzone, Malvicino and Castelletto d’Erro.

Today’s ride is to the highest village in the region, Roccaverano, (800 m.) a steep climb, but also a nice descent. We’ll have lunch in a very nice restaurant in  Roccaverano.  Villages we’ll ride through include: Bistagno, Monastero Bormida, and Roccaverano.  We'll go out for dinner in Acqui Terme for a traditional Piemontes meal. 

Depart after breakfast.  Shuttle to Acqui Terme train station.