Langhe, Roero and Monferrato form part of an incredible landscape that has now become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Below are some suggestions on what to do, see and visit, tips for excursions, activities and trips in the Alba area.
The Langhe
Alba and the Truffle Fair
This city has an ancient history and it still preserves the passage of the different peoples who inhabited it: from the Ligurians to the Romans.
A must see is the San Lorenzo cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic style that dominates Piazza Risorgimento, and a visit to Underground Alba, a tour guided by professional archaeologists who will help you to discover the original core of Alba Pompeia, the ancient Roman city.
And finally, via Maestra (also called Via Vittorio Emanuele), the city’s most exclusive street, with its ancient medieval buildings and liberty style buildings, its shops and ateliers, bars, restaurants, wine bars and pubs for a lively nightlife.
The city center hosts the famous Alba White Truffle Fair, which is held each fall during the months of October and November, an event that is enriched by folklore shows, pageants and reenactments and the famous Palio degli Asini (Donkey Race). This and much more are waiting for you just a few steps away from the Residence in Alba!
UNESCO Vineyard Landscapes
Langhe, Roero and Monferrato received official recognition by UNESCO in June 2014, becoming part of the World Heritage List as a cultural landscape since it is the result of combined work of man and nature.
The exceptional value of these territories is due to the beautiful shape of the vineyard landscapes; the result of an ancient tradition that has been handed down for generations.
An immense site, of rare beauty, to discover, photograph and experience!
The Ferrero company
The historic family company, founded by Pietro and Piera Ferrero during the 40s, was established in Alba, where it is still located.
From a small workshop in Via Rattazzi to the multinational giant that it is today, the company has managed to revolutionize the confectionery sector.
The ingredients of its success are Piedmont hazelnuts and pasta gianduja, the ancestor of Nutella.
On some days you can breathe in a captivating aroma of chocolate gianduja that pervades the entire city.
Castles and Museums
The Langhe hills are dotted with ancient medieval towers and castles, now located in town centers.
Among the most important: the Grinzane Cavour castle, which houses the ethnographic museum and the Piedmont Regional Enoteca; the majestic Barolo castle, now home of the WiMu, the innovative wine museum that will amaze you with its special and spectacular effects and then there’s the castles of Roddi, Pralormo, Govone, Guarene, …
You’re spoiled for choice!
Towns and Panorama
Langhe, Roero and Monferrato are an immense territory dotted with small towns.
Many of these are located on hilltops and offer breathtaking views of vineyards, hazelnut groves and inhabited areas, framed by the majestic Alps.
Our advice is to venture out, let yourself go and follow your instincts.
Some of the more well-known towns are: Barolo, La Morra, Barbaresco, Neive, Grinzane Cavour, Cherasco, Pollenzo Monforte d’Alba, Murazzano, Dogliani, Paroldo e Bossolasco.
Itineraries
The roads dedicated to wine that pass through the Langhe are really numerous. Among the most important are: la Strada Barolo e dei grandi vini di Langa, la Strada del vino Monferrato Astigiano e del vino Alto Monferrato, la Strada del vino Dogliani e del vino Astesana.
And of course la Strada Romantica (the romantic road), a journey between past and present, to discover the area and its culture.
Last but not least, we mustn’t forget to discover the places that inspired writers Cesare Pavese and Beppe Fenoglio.
Food and Wine
Deeply rooted in the culture of these places is an ancient culinary tradition not only to discover, but most of all to enjoy!
Exceptional wines such as Barolo, Barbera e Barbaresco and lively bubbly wines like Moscato, Spumante and Brachetto are always accompanied by delicious traditional Piedmont dishes.
For an antipasto I suggest you try the veal with tuna sauce, knife-cut raw meat and bagna cauda; to follow tajarin with ragu sauce, risotto with Barolo, plin ravioli with butter and sage or with an ample sprinkling of truffle.
For the second course: braised meat, strictly from Piedmont, or the Piedmont classic, bollito misto, accompanied by sauces such as Bagnet green. Exquisite cheeses such as Bra, Murazzano, Langa Robiola and the Castelmagno accompanied by the cugnà, a typical mustard made from grape must.
And to finish the meal, bonet and hazelnut cake. Buon appetito!
Festivals ed Events
Piazzas, castles and villages are animated by the numerous fairs, festivals and events that enliven the hills.
Among the most important are: Vinum, the national wine fair, during spring; Cheese in Bra, an end of summer event entirely dedicated to cheese, the Alba White Truffle Fair in autumn; Collisioni in Barolo, the international festival of music and literature held on the hillside.
And there’s town feasts, markets, flea markets and much much more. To discover all the events being held in the Langhe and surrounding area click here.
The Langhe is a fabulous area, but to really get to know it you have to experience it!Live in Alba and participate in the life of the Langhe people, immerse yourself in our culture and rediscover the pleasures of a genuine and quality cuisine, taste our wines and let yourself be enchanted by the marvelous hilly landscapes!
- Daniele
Activities
Searching for Truffles
This delicious tuber is extremely hard to find! Participate in the simulated truffle search with the Trifulau (truffle hunters), members of the Associazione Trifulau Colline di Langa, accompanied by their faithful dogs.
This adventure is offered in various languages: Italian, English, German, French, Spanish and Russian. You can participate all year round, but we recommend the March-May period for the black truffle and October-December for the white truffle. For more information click here.
Visiting the Langhe wine cellars
The best way to discover and get to know the Langa wine is to visit a local wine cellar.
You’ll be accompanied by the producers themselves; they’ll tell you their story and that of their wines, explain the production process and will guide you in tasting their best bottles.
To find out which wine cellars offer this service and book a visit click here.
Excursions and Wellness
The Langhe hills are a treasure to explore in all seasons and in various ways.
Cycling routes, hiking and horseback riding excursions, are the main means to visit the landscapes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And after a tiring day, relax in one of the spas and try one of the wine therapy treatments: an elixir for the body, soul and mind!
The surrounding area
Cuneo
Built on the plateau between the river Stura and the Gesso stream, for centuries it was closed by its fortifications.
The city of seven sieges is characterized by its portico roads. From via Roma, the old city core, to corso Nizza, in Renaissance style, the arcades accompany tourists along the tour of the center.
Must sees are: the Duccio Galimberti museum in the piazza bearing the same name, where a rich market takes place every Tuesday, the ancient Contrada Mondovì that leads to the panoramic viewpoint, viale degli Angeli, adorned with precious villas and buildings in Liberty style, the Torre civica and numerous churches. You absolutely must try the Cuneesi with Rum, chocolates with a sweet heart of liquor.
Mondovì
Throughout history the city of Mondovì was the rival of Cuneo. It originally developed from the top of the hill, which still retains the town’s center in piazza Maggiore di Mondovì Piazza, accessible from Mondovì Breo via the old funicular.
Must sees are: the ceramic museum, the Torre Civica, the Belvedere garden and a stroll in the fashionable streets filled with shops, bars and historical places.
Just a few kilometers from the city you’ll find the Santuario di Vicoforte, famous for its great elliptical dome, the largest in the world. Nearby, in Frabosa, are the Grotte di Bossea, among the most beautiful caves in Italy, characterized by scenic compositions of stalactites and stalagmites.
Seas and Mountains
The Cuneo valleys are a favorite destination for hikers and food aficionados: there are numerous parks and nature reserves, towns rich in history and local products to taste, such as mountain cheeses.
During winter, skiers and winter sports enthusiasts flock to the mountains, thanks to the numerous ski resorts.
For a day of relaxation and wellness we recommend visiting one of the three spas in the area: Lurisia, Valdieri and Sant’Anna di Vinadio.
In the summer, the seaside resorts of the Ligurian coast are quickly reachable in less than two hours. A must see is the Genoa aquarium, an attraction for both young and old.
Turin
This ancient Roman city, which later became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, is an authentic treasure of history, art and culture.
The palace and the Regio theater in piazza Castello, the Mole Antonelliana, the city’s symbol, which houses the museum of cinema, the impressive Basilica of Superga, the borgo del Valentino, built for the 1884 Expo, the National Automobile Museum and the numerous Savoy residences such as Stupinigi, Racconigi and Venaria Reale, are just some of the amazing attractions the city has to offer.
Milano
Milan, the fashion capital and favorite destination for shoppers, is a busy and modern city.
A must see is: the Duomo, the city’s symbol, the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II which leads to La Scala, the famous theater, the Sforzesco Castle, the ancient fortress and the Navigli, the district with the characteristic canals.
Milan is a city that deserves to be lived at night and it can offer all sorts of fun.