At VILLA SAMPAGUITA we are always more then happy to assist our
guests in planning their local touring agendas of wineries, places
to visit and historic towns.
One of the reasons we chose Asti as a place to locate our B&B
was the convenience and central location to all of Piedmont as well
as to Liguria and the mountains.
In order to provide some ideas we have put together some of the
more popular itineraries for touring in this area. These are all
easy to drive and we provide complete and detailed directions and
maps, as well as making reservations for wienries, restaurants and
museums on request. Of course this is only a representative sampling
and there are many other places "off the beaten track"
for those who want to explore this region.
Also in response to many requests we have made arrangements with
a local driver who has his own mini-bus and lots of experience of
taking groups around the area who can drive
The mini-bus can hold 6 people comfortably (and 8 for shorter rides)
and we think is a great way for to visit wineries and restaurants,
without worrying about getting lost or "influence driving".
Naturally the economics favour a group, as the cost of the van stays
the same,about 200 euro per day for local trips and a bit more to
Liguria or the Alps. Please ask us for pricing if you are interested
in this option.
We can also make customized tour agendas such as hiking or biking.
This is a summary of the tours with the approximate driving distance
and time (round trip). If you want the full detailed tour sheet
please e-mail and ask us to send it to you.
Medieval Asti
|
Asti is the provincial capital of one of most
important wine areas in Italy and lends its name to some illustrious
wines. From the 10-13th Centuries Asti was a powerful independent
city in Italy, built on trading and banking. Visit the medieval
section of Asti city, old historic towers, palazzo’s and
crypts, 13th C cathedral and many ancient churches, shopping
in boutiques or at Asti biweekly market. Guided tour available |
16 km - 20 minutes driving time |
The Holy Grail , Wine & Chocolate
in Monferatto Hills
|
Up to the Northern Monferrato hills and visit Cocconato,
the Bava Winery and chocolate centre, shop at nearby Conbipel
factory outlet, stop at the hauntingly beautiful Abbazia
Di Vezzolana,one of the best preserved old Romanesque
churches, built by Emperor Charlemagne then return
via Castelnouvo Don Bosco and the
Freisa co-operative winery. Or visit the Sacro Monte
di Crea, one of Piedmonts sacred mountains |
100 km - 2.5 hours driving time |
Turin, the Royal City
|
Visit Italy’s best-kept secret, Turin. Check out the
Martini Wine Museum; the Basilica
Superga, with its stunning views of Turin and
the Alps; browse the old baroque centre and a wide choice of
many museums and galleries, including the famous
Shroud of Turin, the Egyptian, automobile
or cinema museums, or the Galleria
Sabaudo. Take a chocolate tour too! |
110 km - 1.5 hours driving time (or take a train) |
A night at the Opera
|
Opera or Ballet at Teatro Regio in Turin - program and
tickets at www.teatroregio.torino.it
or the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa - program and tickets
at www.carlofelice.it
|
|
The dragon's gate; Sacra San Michele
|
The Sacra di San Michele according
to legend is built on a dragons lair, and is a truly remarkable
abbey built on top of a mountain commanding the entrance to
the Val di Susa near to Turin. Its dedicated to St Michael,
slayer of the dragon and was the setting for the novel Name
of the Rose. Also you can visit the nearby Val di Chisone
and take in the weekly cheese market at Giaveno.
|
165 km - 2.5 hours driving time. |
Barolo, King of Wines and Wine
of Kings
|
Tour the Barolo valley home to Italy's best red wines. Visit
wineries and castles with enoteca's (Barolo
and Grinzane Cavour), check out the
stunning views at Serralunga and La
Morra and lunch at one of the incredibly good trattorie
in the area. |
120 km - 2 hours driving time |
Queen Barbera, Piedmont’s
favourite wine
|
Tour the scenic hills of the Barbera heartland with stops
at Vinchio-Vaglio, Nizza, &, Costigliole D’Asti.
Tasting at wineries, wine museums, more incredible trattorie!
Check out the underground wine cathedrals in Canelli |
100 km - 2 hours driving time |
The Prince and the Princess, Barberesco
and Moscato D’Asti.
|
Tour the incredible panorama of the high Langhe hills, with
stops at Barberesco, with a winery
tasting followed by lunch, then a spectacular drive via Mango
over the Moscato hills to Canelli,
centre of Asti Spumante wine, with a visit to one of the “cathedrals
of wine” huge underground cellars carved into the limestone
hill (and more tasting of course). |
100 km - 2.5 hours driving time |
The Roero Rocks;
Wine, Honey & Castles.
|
Our neighbouring Roero hills produce not only wine (Red Nebbiolo
and white Arneis) but also honey and peaches as well as being
home to many castles. The Roero trail
is a hiking route following the ancient red rocks which gives
Roero its name and also you can hike on a beekeeping
trail around Monta.
Take the Tanaro castle ridge route with 6 castles or visit the
castle museum at Cisterna d'Asti with
stunning views. Or visit Bra home
of Slow Food movement. More wineries
and restaurants of course. |
60 km - 1.5 hours driving time. |
Roman Baths in Acqui Terme
|
A day in the resort town of Acqui Terme,
take in a spa treatment, and boutique shopping, and return either
via scenic vine hills around Ovada
OR visit Roccaverano, famous for traditional
goat cheese and Loazzolo, home of
late harvest Moscato Passito |
150 km (return via Ovada) - 2 hours 15 minutes driving
time |
Magic Lake Maggiore
|
Our nearest alpine lake is beautiful Lago Maggiore.
Stop in Stresa and take the cable
car trip to Monte Mattarone, overlooking
the lake and the Alps, then a boat-ride to Isola
Bella with its huge palace and ornate terraced
gardens resembling a ship at sail. |
310 km - 3 hours 20 minutes driving time. |
Alpine Splendour, Val D’Aosta
and the Canavese
|
Drive into the mountains to the beautiful Aosta valley . Visit
Aosta city for lunch and exploring
the roman ruins. Then choices of the nearny Fontina
Cheese Centre, or up to Courmayer
in the shadow of Mt Blanc or up an
alpine valley to the Breuil at the
foot of the Matterhorn. . Return through
the old Roman terraced pergola vineyards of the Canavese
and stop and visit Fenis Castle. .
|
(Aosta) 400 km - 4hours driving time. |
Pesto al Genovese
|
Visit the old maritime republic of Genoa,
with its palazzi, old port, aquarium, maritime museum, old villa
gardens, and great seafood. |
250 km - 3 hours driving time or take a train |
Wines and Olive Oil in Liguria.
|
A Scenic drive to the Mediterranean Riveira and then into
the hills to visit an olive oil frontaio and a local winery.
Lunch at Albenga, then drive back
along ocean front road with beach time at Noli,
and a stop in Savona |
350 km - 4 hours driving time |
Cliff-Hanging Vineyards
of Cinque Terre
|
Drive to resort town of Levanto
(or take the train) next to the Cinque Terre
and then explore this world-heritage site by walking, boat-ride
or train between the 5 cliff-side villages. |
400 km - 4.5 hours driving time or take a train. |
Milan, Power and Fashion
|
Visit the Duomo, the Galleria,
Da Vinci’s Last Supper Fresco, Castle Sforza,
Brera Gallery and browse the designer shops |
250 km - 3 hours driving time |
Hey, Hey, Feste Time
|
Enjoy one of our many local festivals
around our area.
Wine, food, truffles,
historical events, music, donkey racing, wine barrel racing
and many more |
|
Truffle Hunting
|
During the tartufo season October-November, we can make arrangements
to visit a family "trifulau" house for a discourse
(in English) about truffles and join the trifulau as he hunts
for tartufi with his faithful hounds followed by aperitif and
snacks. Also tours for summer black truffles from May-September.
Around 30€ per person. |
45 km - 50 minutes driving time |
Of course we can also arrange custom tours as well. For a detailed brochure
with all tours and costs for small groups please send e-mail request to
stay@villasampaguita.com
