La Piazza Blog & Stories
In Piedmont, Italy with the Bike at 50!
In Piemonte con la Bici a 50!!
Contributed by Carlo Tamburrino, recent tour participant. Written as a monthly newsletter for his local Italian American Social Club (The Colombo Club) in Oakland, California.
I have just returned from an amazing cycling trip to Italia in celebration of my 50th! As I fight jet lag and get back to reality I hope to share the highlights of this trip and contribute to occasional articles on travels to Italia. The trip was organized by a Massachusetts based tour group I have always wanted to join called Ciclismo Classico. This trip was based in the Piemonte region, home of our Club founding fathers.
After over 500 photos and over 300 cycling miles of beautiful vistas, vineyards, history, culture, wine, and food, I came away feeling thoroughly immersed and having truly escaped. My travels took place around the city of Alessandria which is located between the major cities of Torino and Milano. Our actual hotel stays were in Gavi, Acqui Terme, Alba, and Cioccaro (lower Monferrato area).
Gavi and our actual locale, Monterotondo di Gavi, is a tranquil, somewhat isolated area of wineries where we stayed in a beautifully updated but preserved farmhouse dating back to the 17th century. Acqui Terme was reached after a journey past the castles of Monferrato. Acqui itself was founded by Greek colonists and is well known for its geothermal hot waters since Roman times. Alba, also dating back to the Romans, was a major medieval city and known as the œCity with a hundred towers. It is a wealthy city as it is home to the activities of the surrounding 290 wineries!
This area overall is known for its world renowned wine; Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Cortese,Dolcetto, and Moscato to name a few. Of course with this beautiful wine is the local cuisine, a blend of Northern Italian and French influences, which accompanies it perfectly. Some examples include Tajarin (a thin fresh pasta), Risotto (Arborio rice cooked with different meats and vegetables, porcini mushrooms being fresh local mainstay), and Agnolotti (local ravioli).
Given the setting and the personal local guides, we were treated to many special excursions. Wine tastings at several wineries, exclusive dinners, truffle hunting, and shots of Grappa at the Mazzetti distillery! For us cycling die hards, a ride dedicated to Fausto Coppi, Italy’s greatest cycling champion. 65 years after his victories, his myth is still alive and thousands travel to his hilltop village of Castellania as a form of pilgrimage.
Upon completing the tour, I hopped a train to visit famiglia in Ivrea, very near Torino. Some family bonding and TLC was a great way to rest my tired legs! This was a big birthday trip for me and I was humbled by the many heartfelt connections and ever appreciative of our Italian roots and the experiences associated with them. At this Bday and for those that all of you are celebrating… Alla Salute (To Health) e Sempre Avanti!
Piedmont: Land of Barolo & Truffles
Contributed by Carlo Tamburrino, recent tour participant. Written as a monthly newsletter for his local Italian American Social Club (The Colombo Club) in Oakland, California.
I have just returned from an amazing cycling trip to Italia in celebration of my 50th! As I fight jet lag and get back to reality I hope to share the highlights of this trip and contribute to occasional articles on travels to Italia. The trip was organized by a Massachusetts based tour group I have always wanted to join called Ciclismo Classico. This trip was based in the Piemonte region, home of our Club founding fathers.
After over 500 photos and over 300 cycling miles of beautiful vistas, vineyards, history, culture, wine, and food, I came away feeling thoroughly immersed and having truly escaped. My travels took place around the city of Alessandria which is located between the major cities of Torino and Milano. Our actual hotel stays were in Gavi, Acqui Terme, Alba, and Cioccaro (lower Monferrato area).
Gavi and our actual locale, Monterotondo di Gavi, is a tranquil, somewhat isolated area of wineries where we stayed in a beautifully updated but preserved farmhouse dating back to the 17th century. Acqui Terme was reached after a journey past the castles of Monferrato. Acqui itself was founded by Greek colonists and is well known for its geothermal hot waters since Roman times. Alba, also dating back to the Romans, was a major medieval city and known as the œCity with a hundred towers. It is a wealthy city as it is home to the activities of the surrounding 290 wineries!
This area overall is known for its world renowned wine; Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Cortese,Dolcetto, and Moscato to name a few. Of course with this beautiful wine is the local cuisine, a blend of Northern Italian and French influences, which accompanies it perfectly. Some examples include Tajarin (a thin fresh pasta), Risotto (Arborio rice cooked with different meats and vegetables, porcini mushrooms being fresh local mainstay), and Agnolotti (local ravioli).
Given the setting and the personal local guides, we were treated to many special excursions. Wine tastings at several wineries, exclusive dinners, truffle hunting, and shots of Grappa at the Mazzetti distillery! For us cycling die hards, a ride dedicated to Fausto Coppi, Italy’s greatest cycling champion. 65 years after his victories, his myth is still alive and thousands travel to his hilltop village of Castellania as a form of pilgrimage.
Upon completing the tour, I hopped a train to visit famiglia in Ivrea, very near Torino. Some family bonding and TLC was a great way to rest my tired legs! This was a big birthday trip for me and I was humbled by the many heartfelt connections and ever appreciative of our Italian roots and the experiences associated with them. At this Bday and for those that all of you are celebrating… Alla Salute (To Health) e Sempre Avanti!
Piedmont: Land of Barolo & Truffles