A taste tour of Italy: Alba and the Langhe​

Any time of year is perfect for a trip to the Langhe, but in autumn the area is particularly inviting thanks to the myriad-coloured leaves of the forests, as well as the grape harvesting activities, which are an unmistakable reminder that this is a land of great wines. Don't forget to load your bikes onto your motorhome, so that you can ride along the roads that wind through the hills, as well as the many paths among the woods and vineyards.​

Within just a few square kilometres, the Langhe brings together some of the most beautiful villages in Italy, where you can enjoy pleasant walkabouts and visit historic buildings, towers and castles. We also recommend stopping by at one of the traditional restaurants to taste some regional dishes, washed down with a local wine of course! Leave some room in your motorhome for a few bottles, because you can't leave the Langhe without taking with you a little of the precious nectar from the local grapes, which produce excellent wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto d'Alba.​

Many of these wines are named after the area’s most famous villages, starting with Barolo, which offers no shortage of cellars open to the public for tasting and purchases; you can also visit the WiMu Wine Museum, in the castle of the Falletti family, before popping into the intriguing Corkscrew Museum. Another village that gives its name to a renowned wine is Barbaresco, with its charming historic centre and the Enoteca Regionale del Barbaresco, a wine shop housed in the deconsecrated church of San Donato. While there, you really must climb Barbaresco Tower, which dates to the 11th century and is more than 30 metres high, affording a breathtaking view of the surrounding area from its summit. You can even try “high-altitude” wine tasting on the tower’s panoramic roof terrace — a truly unique experience.​

​Situated a short hop from Barbaresco is Neive, another small village that doesn't take long to explore but makes for a wonderful stopover: you can enjoy a pleasant stroll through the historic centre with its noble townhouses and clock tower, before taking in the magnificent panorama of the Langhe from the top of the hill. Neive is listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” compiled by the Tourism Council of the ANCI (National Association of Italian Municipalities).​

Another historic village centre with bags of character is La Morra with its Belvedere, a scenic viewpoint from where you can enjoy a spectacular vista of the surrounding countryside. Just a short distance away you can reach the Barolo Chapel, also called Cappella Delle Brunate, which was decorated in bright colours by contemporary artists Sol LeWitt and David Tremlett. Not far away is the Panchina Gigante Rossa, one of the many giant benches in the Langhe, some of which are part of the Big Bench circuit. Throughout the Langhe area you will come across various castles, which are enduring legacies of bygone eras and are almost always located on hilltops. Among the most famous are the Castle of Serralunga d'Alba, Grinzane Cavour Castle and Prunetto Castle.​

The last stopover on our tour is Alba, the area's most developed town and the hub of all activities that revolve around the food and wine of the Langhe. These lands produce not only good wine, but also white truffle, which has an unmistakable aroma and garnishes some of the most typical Piedmontese dishes. From 12 October to 8 December, Alba will host the 94th edition of the Alba White Truffle Fair, a showcase of haute gastronomy and Italian excellence. The numerous activities in the programme include the World Truffle Market in the town square, spectacular cooking shows, folklore events and, last but not least, local wine tastings. Alba boasts its own exquisite and historic town centre, containing the beautiful and colourful Piazza Risorgimento square, the Municipal Palace, the porticoes and the 16th-century Cathedral of San Lorenzo, in which you can admire amazing blue and gold roof vaults depicting a starry sky. You can even explore the subterranean past of Alba, discovering the town’s Roman and medieval roots on an underground tour led by a professional archaeologist.​

​​Ten years ago, the Langhe was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO: it is well worth celebrating this anniversary with a motorhome trip to this splendid area of Italy, where you can admire hillside vineyards and historic villages full of charm, as well as tasting the territory’s gastronomic delights and excellent wines.​