We love Italy and since a of years we also to bike. Living in Luxembourg gave us already some good opportunities to experience nice daytrips in the Ardennes and we gained fun and confidence in longer distances and hilly environments. We also love food and wine, but never have been in Piemonte, so the idea grew that exploring the region by bike could perfectly suit to us We contacted Aad quite shorthanded and he could manage to organise a 7 day trip including one day to recover. We arrived at Acqui Terme with excitement, impressed by the beauty of the area and the long climbs, but this was just part of a kind of stage fever, soon as we departed for the first day, we discovered that it will be pure joy! The region is a neverending assembly of ridges and valleys, wineyards and beautiful little hamlets everywhere. As it was just the begining of the harvest the darkblue grapes of Nebbiolo, Barbaresco and Dolcetto have been our constant fellows along the roads. Each day we came closer to the Savoyan Alps and the scenary was spectacular. We were lucky with the weather which was clearly a major factor for our comfort.
Aad and Esther selected routes and lodging which such a delicate taste, that each day was new pleasure for us. We followed their recommendations and had lunch with the workers of the fields, a sophisticated dinner in an albergo de charme, I tre Poggi, and also the night in Alba was a nice experience. In La costa we had our relaxation day ,that I modified with an 11 k walk through the hazelnut plantations , sentiero de nocciole, so we really deserved the outstanding dinner from Fabio and his family. This place is worth a detour and pure detox from stress. Our last night we spent close to Aqui Terme in Sambuca Inamoratto and we left from there with the feeling that our decision for Piemonte was a good one. Cycling in these places was so intense and the encounters with different people and places gave us the feeling that we have left Luxembourg for much, much longer.
Therefore we are most grateful to Esther and Aad for the creation of this adventure. Everything was excellent.
Sylke und Jürgen (Luxemburg) – September 2024
