Enogastronomy
The Monferrato area is as famous for its fine wines (Barolo, Gavi, Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato etc) as it is for its delicious food (agnolotti, tagliatelle, bagna cauda and a whole range of dishes prepared with the typical “Piedmontese” cattle breed). We’re only too happy to offer you advice about good restaurants in the area and their culinary specialities. We are also able to arrange:
- cooking lessons – learn how to prepare typical Italian dishes with the help of a professional chef in a restaurant kitchen.
- wine tasting – learn more about the wines from the area and about how to combine them with different dishes. Our teachers are qualified sommeliers.
Chocolate
The Piedmont region is famous for its chocolate and there are plenty of chocolate factories in the area, the closest one just a few kilometres from Villa Rondaneto. It’s possible to visit the factories and to buy chocolate in their chocolate outlets. Please note however, that the chocolate production shuts down during the summer season.
Mushrooms ad truffles
During the autumn there are plenty of mushrooms in Monferrato and above all it’s possible to find truffles, a true delicacy! During the mushroom season we organize mushroom and truffle hunting. Our guide and his truffle hunting dog will take you on a excursion in the beautiful woodlands around Capriata.
Wineries/Cantine sociali/Distilleries
Capriata d’Orba is situated in a wine district and there are plenty of beautiful wine farms to visit (La Scolca (www.scolca.it), Villa Sparina (www.villasparina.it), La Broglia (www.broglia.it) etc). Many of the wineries offer guided tours around the establishments. It might also be interesting to visit a so called “Cantina Sociale”-cooperative. In wine producing areas one might find a “Cantina Sociale”- cooperative in just about any small village. The farmers that don’t produce wine themselves sell their grapes to the cooperative which then turns them into very reasonably priced wine. In Capriata the Cantina Sociale is to be found approximately 200 m from Villa Rondaneto. Furthermore there are several Grappa Distilleries in the area, which are well worth a visit.
Culture and Museums
This is historical ground with a rich culture. There are plenty of museums to visit. The Cycling Museum just outside Novi Ligure is dedicated to the famous Italian cyclists Fausto Coppi and Costante Girardengo. There is also a Gold museum and plenty of archaeological, paleontological museums.
Castles and fortresses
Monferrato is renowned for its many castles, fortresses and villas. The children will love the enormous fortress just above the small city of Gavi! Check out www.castellipiemontesi.it for advice on guided tours around the castles and different itineraries between them.
Designer Outlet
You’ll find incredible shopping just 20 km away at the Serravalle Scrivia Outlet ( www.mcarthurglen.it www.outletserravallescrivia.com ), which is the largest designer factory outlet centre in Europe with its 180 stores. All your favourite brands are represented here. Fashion, sports wear, interior design – whatever you’re looking for you’ll find it at Serravalle.
Thermal baths
At Acqui Terme you’ll find the ancient thermal bath “Regie Terme di Acqui” (www.termediacqui.it). Enjoy relaxing and therapeutic baths and indulge yourself in massages and a whole range of beauty treatments.
Genoa
Why not take a trip to Genoa ( www.turismo.comune.genova.it / www.acquariodigenova.it )? It takes just about an hour by car to get to this beautiful port city with it’s lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Go shopping in the old town, take a stroll along the sea front promenade or visit one of Europes largest aquariums. The aquarium is a favourite with children and grownups alike!.