Monferrato Bike Friendly by Marcella Bono Luciana Rota
There is a land that needed the bicycle and is now home to it. And cycling means discovering things and, at just an hour by car from Turin, Milan and Genoa, the province of Alessandria is the perfect place to go bicycling with stunning panoramas, beautiful tracks through the deepest countryside and indeed something for everyone, from the keenest sports cyclist right through to those people who prefer to take things at a gentler pace, where you can enjoy every yard, every curve, every hill, every stretch of plain, in perfect harmony with that movement which is gathering pace throughout Italy and it’s called bike tourism! Alexala, the Tourism Information Bureau for the province of Alessandria is responsible for coordinating bicycle tourism in this area: some 1 90 parishes in
a district that lies on the border between Piedmont and Liguria, between the plains and the hills. We’re right in the middle of the perfect place for cycling where was born and trained the cycling myth who was Fausto Coppi, also known as The Heron. This area has just been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, Monferrato becoming emblematic just like the Sacro Monte di Crea. And it’s an area that has so many aspects, so many faces and so many places to visit, radiating out from Alessandria like Novi Ligure, Valenza, Acqui Terme, Tortona and Casale Monferrato, all with different stories to tell. And all against a backdrop of wonderful food and wine. And everything can be achieved on two wheels. Are you ready to come for a bike ride with us?
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The roads of champions and hills that are a World Heritage Site. There is a section of the VeniceTurin route (VenTo) where there are roads towards the spas, steep climbs up to castles, pathways alongside rivers and the square mirrors of the rice fields. And there are so many other things to discover by using the 30 geomapped routes to be found on www.piemonteciclabile.com/aless andriamonferrato. A land perfectly suited to cycling with wonderful hospitality from the hotels and guesthouses that really know how to give the warmest of welcomes to touring cyclists.
ALESSANDRIA AND MONFERRATO HERITAGE (CONFIRMED BY UNESCO) The Lower Monferrato area of the Alessandria region has an extra ace up its sleeve: it has every possible type of terrain. Tell us how you want to
cycle and we’ll tell you where to go. You will never get bored here! The abundance of a land to discover. And it’s a form of tourism that
produces wellbeing and not just in terms of health. Bicycle tourism generates every year in Europe more than €44 million of business, of (cont.pagina 2)
which €12 million in Germany alone (source: Ciclabile Vienna Passau).
Every kilometre of tourist cycleway brings in between €11 0,000 to €350,000 of revenue. These are important figures for the future development of this commodity. Every year in Germany cycle tourism generates €1 6m and gives employment to some 300,000 people. €4m derives directly from cycle tourism (source Eurovelo).
When the developers of the VenTo cycleway crossed the province of Alessandria, via Valenza and Casale Monferrato, they announced that “the VenTo project can create 2,000 jobs”. This cycleway that connects Turin to Venice has huge potential and the good news is that it runs through the province of Alessandria. All the pointers are positive and lead to the discovery of the Alessandria district of Lower Monferrato.
CASSANI FOR TOURISM ON TWO WHEELS “Cycling tourism gives people the chance to re-discover time, history, culture and those social values that are difficult to appreciate in today’s hurlyburly of modern life where everyone is always looking to achieve personal objectives” said the Italian Cycling Coach Davide Cassani and former professional sports cyclist who still enjoys his sport.
about cycling in the strict sense of the word have the opportunity of using the bicycle as a means of understanding and as a way of relaxing, of learning about our culture and improving our wellbeing both individually and collectively. And why not on holiday? Without travelling a long way our countryside seems perfectly created for slow tourism by bicycle.”
The National Cycling Coach endorses the discovery of our area on two wheels: “it’s the right way to understand our history and culture”
“Those of us who love the bicycle and who are passionate
ITINERARIES FOR ALL TASTES The Lower Monferrato area of the Alessandria region has an extra ace up its sleeve: it has every possible type of terrain. Tell us how you want to cycle and we’ll tell you where to go. You will never get bored here! From pathways, to woods to tarmac roads – even those narrow ones with very few cars or lorries – to those chalk tracks which are favoured by the “old style” cyclists. There are plains and there are hills.
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Rice fields and rivers. There is so much history to discover and around every corner is yet another small town or village to explore, with tradition handed down over the centuries. The whole area is characterised by a broad sweep of nature which changes according to the season with the hills that provide the food and fruit to discover and taste
as a pleasing accompaniment to the journey. Acqui Terme, Alessandria, Casale Monferrato, Gavi, Novi Ligure, Ovada, Tortona and Valenza are the central towns but the little villages that surround them are a must to visit – for all tastes. Just get hold of a bike and cycle off to discover a small, simple world that hints at years gone by.
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A COMMUNITY THAT’S OFF ON A TRIP There’s a site for cycling and a community that’s activated it. On two wheels. From this idea has come about the project launched by Alexala to promote cycling tourism in Lower Monferrato. Everything started from a sort of “virtual town square”, but not even that virtual now with the site online with help from the region of Piedmont and the Novi Ligure Town Council and it’s called Piemonteciclabile.com. From here, choosing the best places to get to know the province of Alessandria (see relevant page on Piemonteciclabile.com/alessan driamonferrato), there are maps, notes, suggestions and geomapped information which
altogether offer some 30 varied and fascinating itineraries. The routes are there to get to know a specific area on a bicycle. And they are being constantly updated by a group of mountain bike experts and guides who also introduce new routes. Just choose one, many are created so that there is a circular route enabling one to arrive back at the starting point. The Monferrato district of Alessandria offers a unique tourism experience with colours, shapes, aromas and a natural atmosphere that is characterised by an unspoilt countryside.
The Lower Monferrato area of the Alessandria region has an extra ace up its sleeve: it has every possible type of terrain.
FANCY A BIKE RIDE? And so now the first establishments in the province of Alessandria are up and running, specifically equipped to welcome cycling tourists. The Bike Friendly initiative, started from zero a year ago by Alexala, has seen lots of guest houses join up in the specific areas identified as perfect for cycling tourism. These establishments, after many training programmes, have started up their own chat network to exchange ideas and opinions and information within the virtual town square that is Piemonteciclabile.com and which is 100% bike friendly. This whole project has been
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created with the assistance of those pioneers of cycling tourism in the region of Emilia Romagna.
with minimum conditions and back-up services for those who want to enjoy cycling holidays in this area.
This system of operation is based on a series of rules and tourism “optionals”,
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HERE ARE THE CYCLING GUEST L’ostello di Pa' - Tel. 320 3895675 - www.lostellodipa.it
La villa di Pa’ e Da nonna Carla - fraz Sanico - Tel. 320 3895675 - www.lavilladiPa.it www.danonnacarla.it B&B Vallara - San Salvatore Monferrato - Tel. 3398000784 www.bbvallara.it B&B Carpeneto - Tel. 349 7306140 - www.cascinaolmo.it Ostello Santa Maria di Castello di Alessandria - Tel. 0131288187 www.ostellodialessandria.it Podere la Rossa di Priarone Franco - Agriturismo Morsasco Tel. 0144 73388 www.quellidellarossa.it Il Cortiletto - B&B - Casale Monferrato - Tel. 349 5642470 www.ilcortiletto-bb.com Albergo al Castello - Hotel 3 stelle - Gavi Tel. 0143 642794 www.hotelalcastello.net B&B Ciurli - Visone Tel. 0144 395 659 - 347 7440755 www.BBCiurli.com AnticoBorgo B&B - Vignale Monferrato Tel. 0142 2933156 142933156 - www.anticoborgobb.it Cascina La Maddalena Bed & Wine - B&B Agriturismo - Rocca Grimalda Tel. 0143 876074 - 348 8081075 - www.cascinamaddalena.com Hotel Business - Hotel 3 stelle Casale Monferrato - Tel. 0142 456400 - 0142 456 446 www.business-hotel.it Villa Mimma B&B Agriturismo Treville - Tel. 0142 487953 www.villamimma.com La casa di Bacco - B&B Montaldeo (AL) - Tel. 339 4925638 - 0143 849137 www.lettingstripadvisor.it Cascina Casa Eugenio - B&B Casalnoceto - Tel. 0131806442 3358020663 - 3205739369 www.cascinacasaeugenio.webn ode.com Cascina Folletto - B&B - Tortona - Tel. 339 6749917 - 0131
817898 www.cascinafolletto.com B&B Monferrato la casa sui tetti - B&B - Villadeati - Tel. 320 2333816 - 0141-902230 www.lacasasuitetti.com La casa del mugnaio - B&B Capriata d’Orba - Tel. 348 5125614 www.lacasadelmugnaio.it B&B Le strade del Po Valmacca - Tel. 0142 410296 www.lestradedelpo.it Cascina Orto Agriturismo Pasturana - Tel. 339 5467365 0143 58215 www.cascinaorto.com Bincoletto-Eco-Residence Casale Monferrato - 366 3607675 - 0142 460476 www.eco-residence.it Locanda dell’Arte - Residence Solonghello - Tel. 0142 944470 0142 944077 www.locandadellarte.it Agriturismo Cascina Nuova Valenza - Tel. 0131 954120 www.cascinanuova.com Albergo Ristorante PONTE Cabella Ligure - Tel. 0143 999121 - 347 5120430 - 0143 999900 www.albergoristoranteponte.it La Traversina - Agriturismo Stazzano - Tel. 0143 61377 335 494295 www.latraversina.com B&B Pizzo di Gallo - Ovada - Tel. 335 7186985 - 0143 1970142 www.pizzodigallo.it Ca’ San Sebastiano Residence Camino - Tel. 335 6260039 - 339 5030545 - 0142 945900 www.casansebastiano.it Castello di Gabiano - Hotel Agriturismo - Gabiano - Tel. 331 6869684 - 0142 945004 www:castellodigabiano.com Ca’ Dubini - Affittacamere Mombello Monferrato - Tel. 0142 944216 - 0142 944928 www.cadubini.it Cascina Montena - Agriturismo Mombello Monferrato - Tel. 347 5967326 - 0142 944196 -
www.cascinamontena.it La Cantinetta Resort - B&B 3 stelle - Mombello Monferrato Tel. 0142 944651 ww.lacantinettaresort.it Palazzo Tornielli - B&B 4 stelle Mombello Monferrato - Tel. 0142 944700 - 0142-944700 www.palazzotornielli.eu Agriturismo Cascina Zucca Murisengo - Tel. 0141 993716 www.lazucca.com Palazzo Chintamani - Residence - Odalengo Piccolo - Tel. 0141 919169 - 389 802 2977 - 0141 919106 www.palazzochintamani.wordpr ess.com Castello di San Sebastiano - San Sebastiano da Po - Tel. 347 2581186 www.castellosansebastiano.it Ristorante di Crea - Ristorante e trattoria - Serralunga - Ponzano - Tel. 0142 940 108 - 0142 782845 www.ristorantedicrea.it La locanda dell’arte - Centro benessere - Solonghello - Tel. 0142 944470 www.lalocandadellarte.it B&B Vallara - San Salvatore Tel. 339 800 0784 www.monferratoutdoor.it/bbvallara/ Cascina Nuova - Agriturismo Valenza - Tel. 0131 954120 0131 928553 www.cascinanuova.com Agriturismo Greppi Crescentino - Tel. 335 6131820 - 0161 844745 www.parks.it/agr/greppi La commedia della pentola Ristorante con camere - Lu - Tel. 339 8833626 www.lacommediadellapentola.it La quercia rossa - Agriturismo Moncalvo - Tel. 347 8497364 www.querciarossa.com/wordpre ss Albergo Rondò - Acqui Terme Tel. 0144 322889 - 0144 57897 www.albergorondo.it
... HOW IT WORKS
BIKE FRIENDLY MEANS YOU WILL FIND… • A secure, locked storage area for your bike and a mountain bike cover • Bike washing area • Tools for essential, minor repairs and adjustments • Washing and drying facilities for clothing (evening/morning) • Facility to check room availability in other guest houses in the area • Bike info corner with route information • Shuttle service, technical support, logistic help OPTIONAL SERVICES • Possibility of keeping bike in room • Discount on mountain bike hire at affiliate shop • Downloadable GPS map and altimeter for mountain bike • Possibility of guided tour with official guide • Discounts with affiliate shops • Other free time activities without charge • Discounts with cycle repair shops • Discounts with bike hire shops
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THE MUSEUM OF CHAMPIONS AT NOVI LIGURE “The joy of cycling in this area which is just at the beginning with the start-up of the first bike-friendly guest houses, echoing the wonderful heritage of those former champions, Girardengo and Coppi, makes for a tourism offer of 360 degrees which is reinforced by the recent awarding of UNESCO World Heritage Site status to the vineyards and countryside of Monferrato” was the official statement released by Alexala, underlining their commitment to this new tourism initiative on two wheels. There’s no real need to be a cycling champion to enjoy the views and the tourism opportunities that lie along the roads and pathways of the rolling Monferrato hills in the province of Alessandria. This experience is perfectly in line with the new movement in
modern tourism which is for everyone, expert or not, alone or in company, even with your family. A journey into the culture of cycling, the passion for cycling as a means of transport, as a companion in adventure and success, as a green way of enjoying oneself means that a visit to the Museo dei Campionissimi at Novi Ligure is an absolute must.
sportsmen, a step back in time to another era.
This is an unmissable appointment for all those who love cycling and this history of the bicycle. From here you can be with those cycling heroes, Costante Girardengo and the Coppi brothers, Fausto and Serse, in a moment. On the gentle hills between Tortona and Novi Ligure is the village of Castellania, where the champions were born. Still there today are numerous reminders of those great
EVERYTHING STARTS FROM A WEBSITE There’s something for everyone, with simple routes on pathways through to mapped routes on more demanding terrain. There are more than 30 geomapped routes in the Alessandria section of http://www.piemonteciclabile.com . The site has been created in cooperation with the region of Piedmont and the other Tourism Information Offices of Asti and the province of Cuneo and offer the mapped routes graded by difficulty, length, climb, technical characteristics and countryside, accommodation facilities and services.
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You can cycle on roads and pathways that snake alongside the Po, Tanaro, Bormida and Scrivia rivers, the hills, valleys, rice fields, woods, vineyards all against a backdrop of wonderful food and wine. Then there are the historic towns of Acqui Terme, Alessandria, Casale Monferrato, Novi Ligure (where you’ll find the Museum of Champions www.museodeicampionissimi.it), Ovada, Tortona (where the fascinating cycling story of La Mitica can be found www.lamitica.it) and Valenza.
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THE WELLBEING OF THE SPA – There’s wellbeing at Acqui Terme which is even more welcoming when you have been cycling, when a break at one of the oldest spas in Europe is a very pleasant experience before enjoying wonderful wines and perhaps the delicious and quite unique taste of a truffle-based dish. FOR YOUNG AND OLD – In the meantime a new project called “Baby Hills” is already up and running, an app that offers suggestions for accommodation and entertainment for those people with children. From bed & breakfasts to agriturismos to hotels throughout the Alessandria area (as well as the provinces of Asti and Cuneo) along with places and services dedicated to families (some also offer bike hire) with babies and/or children. Children under two years of age don’t pay. A very special element is the availability of “Entertainers for Little Tourists”, real story tellers who will not only welcome families to their chosen place of accommodation in Lower Piedmont but who will also invent and create special initiatives for young children. The places and the services available (including the entertainers) can be found by downloading the Baby Hills app from the App Store or Google Play. A FAMILY PARK- Let’s discover the River Po Park! Together, by bike. All you need to do is hire a bike from the SOMS building in the village of Valmacca. For just €5 a day you can hire a bike with baby seat, puncture repair kit and helmet (From 09.30 to 19.30, tel 0131 299712). At Frassineto Po we recommend you visit the Palazzo Mossi to see the Po River Countryside Centre (Via Marconi 5). This Centre tells the story of the River Park, how it has evolved over the centuries, not only in the sense of the natural history but also how human culture has developed here. There is also an
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THE PASTRONA FOREST – How often do you find a forest between a town and its river? The Pastrona forest is a wonderful green space of some 50 hectares which connects the town to the river. Thanks to the rivers parks of the Po and Orba, the forest is open to everyone, with or without a guide and you can reach it from Casale Monferrato on the 12 km Kintana trackway which has three levels of difficulty, suitable for both serious cyclists as well as families. Within the forest are three children’s play areas, picnic areas, a spectacular dam, shady beaches and great opportunities for bird watching. You should allow about one or two hours (rest periods not included). The definition of an urban wood has been chosen to identify an area for free time activities, without it being a city or town garden. The grass in the play and relaxation areas is that which grows naturally, as are the bushes and trees that have always been present there.
On an adjacent area of around 15 hectares some 10,000 saplings have been planted, all belonging to local species of tree and bush, to re-create a typical riverbank wood. The whole area is crisscrossed with paths and tracks suitable for walkers or cyclists, with varying levels of difficulty; the most simple are suitable for families and some ‘black runs’ for more accomplished bikers.
If you would like to book a guide or just need more information call Bike ‘n Foot on 0142 591269 or the Cascina Belvedere Parco del Po on 0384 84676.
town of Casale Monferrato, renowned for its Krumiri biscuits, enjoy a café in an elegant bar in Piazza Mazzini, have a wander around the courtyards of Via Mameli then visit the spectacular cathedral of Sant’Evasio with its unique narthex (entrance lobby), the only one of its type in Europe and then move on to the Synagogue, a wonderful testament to Baroque excellence behind the ghetto wall.
EXPO TIME – For the duration of MilanExpo 2015 the Casale Monferrato Castle hosts the Lights of Hanukkah Exhibition. The collection comprises more than 170 contemporary pieces from the Arts, History and Jewish Culture Foundation at Casale Monferrato and eastern Piedmont. This is an unmissable opportunity to view the lights of Hanukkah interpreted by internationally renowned Jewish and non-Jewish artists, this symbolic candelabra with nine arm which is used to light, one per evening, a candle to celebrate the feast of Hanukkah (which itself commemorates the consecration of the new altar at the Temple of Jerusalem).
Arman, Topor, Recalcati, Pomodoro, Mondino, Palladino, Del Pezzo, Lazzati, Colombotto Rosso, and Nespolo are just some of the artists who have made this exhibition of international significance and which runs from Sunday May 10th to Sunday November 1st on the second floor of the Castle at Casale Monferrato and can be visited from Friday to Sunday from 10.00am to 7.00pm, entrance being free.
Whilst you are in the area and on your bicycle you must visit the
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“For a racing cyclist the most exciting moment is not when you cross the finishing line as a winner but when you decide to lead the race, to go it alone and push on, even ‘though the finishing line is far away” Fausto Coppi.
Tourism information: www.alexala.it info@alexala.it ph 0039 01 31 288095
For more information Marcella Bono marcellabono@marcellabono.it skype: marcella.bono ph 0039 335 7758207 Luciana Rota luciana.rota@me.com skype: lucianarota ph 0039 392 1968174
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