Activities

Hiking: There are some stunning walks through the local vineyards and the 12 km Moscato trek can be joined right behind the hazelnut groves of Casa di Gallo. Alternatively there are the nearby hills and national parks including the Gran Paradiso for more serious walkers. Monte Bianco and the Valle d'Aosta are Italy's smallest and most alpine province and the cable car ride over Monte Bianco will take your breath away.
Cycling: This is a great way to see the local countyside and the excellent small, tarmaced country roads make this area very popular with cyclists. We are sourcing a bicycle rental store at the moment.
Swimming: Europe's largest swimming pool is in Acqui Terme. It is huge. There is a diving end for the non-faint hearted, a large children's pool, and a volleyball sandpit. Alternatively swim in the fresh river close to Melazzo
Golf: We have a number of golf-courses in Southern Piedmont. The nearest, Margara, in Felizzano, can be reached by car in 35 minutes and is 27 holes: 9 holes, Par 36 3,249 metres: 9 holes, Par 36, 3,069 metres, 9 holes, Par 36, 3,175metres. Hilly but not difficult. Suitable for players of all ages and handicaps, the course is not very long, but very technical. A beautifully maintained club, it is often used as the host for the European Challenge Open. For a quick and easy golf game there is also Golf Club le Colline in Acqui Terme
Horseriding: There are stables nearby for those who love horseriding
Tennis: Tennis courts can be found in some of the local villages
Spa and Massage The ancient Roman spa town of Acqui Terme offers Il Grand Hotel Nuove Terme where you can book various massages and spas

Sightseeing:Turin is our nearest large city. Enjoy the glorious Piazza San Marco, ringed by historic palaces and churches and girdled by a magnificent arcade with splendid old cafes and superb coffee and chocolate shops. Visit the Egyptian museum (a surprising treasure with one of the worlds richest collections of Egyptian artifacts outside Cairo), the Fiat automobile museum, or the world famous shroud of Turin.
Alternatively visit Milan, host to scores of designer boutiques as well as the beautiful Duomo Cathedral, Da Vinci's Last Supper mural and a wonderful art gallery. Or drive beyond Milan to Lake Como, Lake Orta or the Lago Maggiore with the gorgeous Isola Bella, a beautiful island. The seaside of Camogli is an easy drive, along the small roads, The Cinque Terre, and Genoa, home to Christopher Columbus, all make for interesting day-trips

Wineries: See in the Food and wine section for information on wineries

Children: Visit the Pombia zoo safari close to Milan or the nearby swimming pool at Acqui Term. Take a boat from Camogli, enjoy the many Nature Parks, visit the numerous medieval castles or just enjoy the fantastic gelati and pasta.

Medieval History. Visit Castello Fenis the best preserved medieval fortress in Valle d'Aosta- with its pointed towers, portcullises and spiral staircases. Or visit the Fenestrelle fort which is the second longest military building after the Great Wall of China, and it is currently applying for Unesco status . Sacra di San Michele, one of the countrys most spectacularly situated religious buildings.

Antique Markets:These are well known throughout the region and generally take place most weekends:
1st Sunday of the month, Turin
,2nd Sunday of the month, Carmagnola
3rd Sunday of the month, Nizza Monferrato
4th Sunday of the month, Asti.
There are also the annual markets such as Cherasco and Ovada

The local food and household markets: These are still very much a traditional way of life in Italy and a great way to shop:
Fruit markets are in Nizza on Fridays
Saturday in Canelli, Alessandria and Alba
Friday and Tuesdays in Acqui Terme and perhaps the most traditional on Thursdays in Monasterio Bormida

Designer Shopping- Apart from the shops in Milan, there is also the Serravalle Designer Outlet in Alessandria for discounted designer brands. In both Turin and Milan you will find Armani, Valentino, Ungaro and Cerruti

Literature: Santo Stefano Belbo, is famous as the birthplace of the Italian author, Cesare Paveses and his short stories and novel "The Moon and The Bonfires" capture the area.

Italian language: If you would like to learn some Italian in advance, we would recommend buying the following CD: Michael Thomas "Get Started in Italian". We are presently looking for an Italian teacher to give private lessons. In the meantime, we have left an Italian dictionary and phrase book.

Cooking: When you've had enough of eating in the great restaurants, you can always stay at home to eat al fresco (Food shopping is an absolute pleasure here). We have a fully equipped kitchen and several excellent Italian cookbooks (in English), as well as a pasta machine and some great Italian cooking books including "The Silver Spoon" which is traditionally given to Italian brides on their wedding day.

Relaxing: We'll leave this up to you!!