Castles and parks Cycling in Italy, self guided bike tour in Pedmont, Torino, Avigliana lakes, Venaria Royal Palace

Piedmont is a region with a great past, from which comes the royal family of French origin, the Savoy, who governed Italy from 1861 to 1945. Turin was the first capital of Italy and its monuments clearly show this important role, but there are also traces of its foundation dating back to the time of the Romans, who called it Augusta Taurinorum. We propose a surprising and extremely varied journey: castles, medieval abbeys, Romanesque and Baroque churches, royal residences immersed in the thick green of the woods. In Italy there are few kilometers of cycle paths, but in Piedmont there are three important cycle routes and many routes – unpaved, but easy – within parks. Numerous itineraries are along the rivers: the Po, which is the largest river in Italy, and its tributaries. In the background of every route there is always the beautiful scenery of the Alps; It is no coincidence that our mountains, and in particular the Val di Susa where an itinerary is planned, were chosen for the 2006 Olympics. Piedmont is also famous in Italy and abroad for the quality of its gastronomy and for the very high level of its wines, among the best in Italy.

1st day:  Individual arrival in Turin. Overnight stay.

2nd day: Turin  - Venaria - Avigliana approx. 50 km.
Characteristics: partly in the hinterland of Turin, partly in the Mandria park, partly on minor roads; along the Susa Valley cycle path built by the Province of Turin.
Points of historical and artistic interest: the Savoy residence of Venaria, the complex of the Mandria palace and farmhouses; the Alpine-style houses; the Sacra di S. Michele, the symbol of the Piedmont Region, a beautiful Romanesque abbey located at almost 1000 m above sea level; Points of naturalistic interest: the Mandria park (6500 hectares of woodland) - the erratic boulders in the Pianezza area; the Chianocco ravine near Foresto.

3rd day:  Avigliana - Pinerolo approx. 45 km.
Characteristics: route on asphalt, and on minor roads.
Points of historical and artistic interest: the medieval historic center of Avigliana and the castle; the historic center of Pinerolo with its 15th century churches and the Cavalry Museum. Points of naturalistic interest: the natural park of the lakes of Avigliana.

4th day:  Pinerolo  - Cavour  - Saluzzo approx. 45 km.
Characteristics: on asphalt and a small part on good dirt road, partly on cycle paths up to Cavour, then on minor roads and the cycle paths of the Saluzzo area.
Points of historical and artistic interest: the historic centre of Cavour and the Abbey of S. Maria (11th century) - the Romanesque Abbey complex of Staffarda - the medieval historic centre of Saluzzo Points of naturalistic interest: the natural park of Rocca di Cavour (alluvial hill in the middle of the plain at 162 m high, reachable on foot).

5th day:   Saluzzo  - Fossano - Cherasco approx. 69 km.
Characteristics: on asphalt, partly on the cycle paths of the Saluzzo area, partly in the first foothills of the Langhe.
Points of historical and artistic interest: historic centers of Fossano and Bra. Point of local interest: food and wine in Bra, home of slow food.

6th day:  Cherasco - Carmagnola approx. 30 km.
Characteristics: on asphalt on minor roads, small difference in altitude to overcome near Bra.
Points of historical and artistic interest: the large park of the Savoy castle of Racconigi. Points of naturalistic interest: the stork centre of Racconigi inside the Lipu oasis.

7th day: Carmagnola  - Moncalieri  - Turin approx. 45 km.
Characteristics: along the Po river park, mostly dirt - you enter Turin along the cycle path of the Po river that leads directly to the heart of the city; in the center mainly along the cycle paths or in the pedestrian areas.
Points of historical and artistic interest: the Savoy castle of Moncalieri - in Turin the baroque historic center, the Royal Palace, the Mole Antonelliana symbol of the city and now home to the brand new Cinema Museum. Points of naturalistic interest: the environment of the River Park, the Turin hills and the famous Valentino Park with its two castles.

8th day:   Turin. End of services after breakfast.

Travel type  Self guided

Departures  minimum 2 people; every Saturday from March 8th to September 20th; other dates to choose: with a minimum of 4 people

Duration  8 days/7 nights

Difficulty level   Easy

Total km   284

Type of bike  Trekking bike

Luggage transport  yes

Tour price per person €795.--

The price includes

Overnight stays in 4* and 3* hotels

Luggage transport from one hotel to another (1 luggage per person)

Gps Tracks

24-hour medical/baggage insurance

Emergency telephone support

Registration fee

The price does not include

The journey to reach the meeting points and back

Visits and entrances to museums

Lunches and dinners

The tips

Extras of a personal nature in general

Everything not specified under "the price includes"

On request

Travel cancellation insurance

Additional nights

Estimates for groups

To book, fill out and send the registration form; pay 25% of the participation fee; pay the balance approximately one month before departure