When one thinks of the Langhe and the Roero, one imagines gently rolling hills blanketed by vineyards, little villages surrounded by fields, old country churches, medieval castles and the aromas of wine (the region's wines are of globally recognized excellence, to name a few : Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti Spumante and Barbera d'Asti,– produced thanks to a legacy of know-how and techniques based on a profound knowledge of the varietals cultivated here for centuries), good food, hazelnuts, truffles and chestnuts... Taken together, they convey a sense of tranquility and beauty: because the land included in the provinces of Alessandria, Asti and Cuneo is a true microcosm of different habitats, where man and nature have gone hand in hand for centuries.

On 22 June 2014, during the 38th session of the UNESCO committee in Doha, the Langhe were officially included, along with Roero and Monferrato, in the list of its World Heritage Sites.

We will be staying at the “Relais San Maurizio” *****L, a former monastery built by the Cistercian order 400 years ago on the ruins of a chapel along the ancient Salt Road. The first Relais&Châteaux in Piedmont, it provides a superlative mix of the art of hospitality, enogastronomic excellence and wellbeing.

At the Castle of Grinzane Cavour, the host, “Count Camillo Benso di Cavour”, played by the actor Franco Urban, will take us back in time with a spectacular private tour of one of the most important places in Italian history.

As we follow part of the route known as the “Strada Romantica delle Langhe e del Roero” we will stop to visit the Cantine Storiche Contratto, the first winery in Italy to produce a classic method vintage spumante. It will be more than just a simple visit, as we will also see the fascinating “Underground Cathedrals”, kilometers of tunnels dug into the tuff of the hills between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, on the list of World Heritage Sites.

Our tour continues with the discovery of another local specialty: grappa.
Grappa is a distillate of pomace from grapes grown and pressed exclusively in Italy, where the distillate is made. We will pay a visit to the Distillerie Berta, a point of reference in the ancient art of distilling for four generations.

Together we will experience a series of unique and unforgettable moments, participating in a truffle hunt; we'll be led through the woods by Giovanni Monchiero (University of Truffle Hounds – founded in Roddi in 1880) and his dogs.

A sweet ending is called for, since Piedmont is also famous worldwide for its wonderful desserts; the key ingredient is the local hazelnut: “Nocciola Piemonte IGP”. Visits to the “La Regale” facilities and the “Antica Torroneria Piemontese” nougat factory will let us find out firsthand how the nougat is made and where the famed “sweet truffles of Alba” are born.

{gallery}Events/Breathtaking-Piedmont{/gallery}