SHOP & ENJOY
Azienda Agricola Marconi
Regione San Desiderio, 78
14058 Monastero Bormida (AT)
On the way to Villa Gaia you drive past our neighbour. Matteo Marconi has the best goat cheese far and wide, in various degrees of maturity. Just walk up and ring the bell…
Bottega di San Desiderio
Regione San Desiderio, 40
14058 Monastero Bormida (AT)
(closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Two km below Villa Gaia, on the San Desiderio farm, the small farm shop offers its own products or those bought locally. You can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, handmade pasta, milk, butter, cheese, meat products and ham from their own animals, bread and fresh dishes according to the daily availability.
Macelleria e Pasta Fresca da Carla
Corso Roma, 26
15012 Bistagno (AL)
(open daily)
If San Desiderio is closed, it's worth going to Bistagno. A similar range awaits you here, the bread is highly recommended and the grissini are the best.
Bennet
Stradale Savona 90/92
15011 Acqui Terme (AL)
(open every day)
The nearest large supermarket with a wide range and a large customer car park.
Amaretti Virginia
Località Prapicinin, 6
17046 Sassello (SV)
www.amarettivirginia.com
Factory outlet of Amaretti in many different flavors.
Cascina Barroero
Strada Viarascio, 35
12074 Cortemilia (CN)
www.barroero.it
All products from the hazelnut farm - from cakes and biscuits to nut creams and pure hazelnuts - are available to try on the table and to buy on the shelves. Before that you could, having made a reservation, take a guided tour, learn everything about the production and processing and take a look at the confectionery. Very interesting!
Serravalle Designer Outlet McArthurGlen
Via della Moda, 1
15069 Serravalle Scrivia (AL)
www.mcarthurglen.com
(open every day)
THE excursion tip in bad weather. Or when you feel like shopping. Great brands at great prices. Best to visit during the week.
WINE TASTING
Wine tasting and wine cellar tours must be reserved in advance. Further information can be found on the respective homepage. These are our favourites:
Borgo Maragliano
Regione San Sebastiano, 2
14051 Loazzolo (AT)
www.borgomaragliano.it
You will dream of this sparkling wine for a long time! The informative tour of the wine cellars and subsequent tasting - the room of which is made of glass and steel and hangs freely above the vineyard - is a MUST-DO.
Braida
Via Roma, 94
14030 Rocchetta Tanaro (AT)
www.braida.it
High-quality, high-priced Barbera. For red wine lovers an experience in taste!
Cascina La Barbatella
Strada Annunziata, 55
14049 Nizza Monferrato (AT)
www.labarbatella.com
Red, white and sparkling wines - all delicious! The red "La Vigna Dell'Angelo" is something very special.
Colombo
Reg. Cafra, 172/b
14051 Bubbio (AT)
www.colombovino.it
The Alta Langa rosé sparkling wine* is unique.
Contratto
Via G.B.Giuliani,56
14053 Canelli (AT)
www.contratto.it
The oldest sparkling wine house in Italy! The impressive tufa wine cellar was excavated by hand in 1872 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Forteto della Luja
Reg. Bricco Candelette, 4
14051 Loazzolo (AT)
www.fortetodellaluja.it
The winery is a WWF reserve and produces an excellent cuvée wine from Barbera and Pino Nero vines - the "Le Grive".
Pianbello
Strada Provinciale per Canelli, 19
14051 Loazzolo (AT)
www.pianbello.com
The small winery produces great Alta Langa sparkling wine*.
Marco Capra
Via IV Novembre, 28
12058 Santo Stefano Belbo (CN)
www.marcocapravini.it
Friendly, family-run winery. The sparkling wine "Seitremenda" tastes great!
Poderi Rosso Giovanni
Piazza Roma, 1
14041 Agliano Terme (AT)
www.poderirossogiovanni.it
Our favourite winemaker in the region with an excellent Barbera.
* Discover the special features of the Piedmontese Alta Langa sparkling wine
THE MAIN THING IS
EATING WELL
The cuisine of Piedmont is undoubtedly one of the most diverse in Italy. And indeed: the numerous restaurants in the area leave nothing to be desired. We list below a selection of our favourite hosts for you here. Early reservation is recommended, and you will find respective business cards in the Villa Gaia.
Ristorante San Desiderio
Regione San Desiderio, 40
14058 Monastero Bormida
2.3 km & & approx. 4 minutes by car
from Villa Gaia
(closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
For meat lovers! Ham, salami and meat are from the restaurant's own animals and butcher’s shop. Already in the entrance area of the restaurant you can get a first impression of the main courses on the large charcoal grill: meat with meat. Be sure to order the menu and the red house wine.
Osteria il Caveau
Via Monteverde, 2
14058 Monastero Bormida
4.6 km & approx. 8 minutes by car
from Villa Gaia
(closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Sunday night Pizza)
In warm weather you can sit comfortably on the small roof terrace. Be sure to order dessert!
Il Giardinetto
Strada Provinciale Valle Bormida, 24
14058 Sessame (AT)
6.1 km & approx. 9 minutes by car
from Villa Gaia
(closed on Thursdays)
The sisters Francesca and Valentina have become very dear to us. You can simply taste that the two run the restaurant with passion and that the kitchen cooks with love. It's best to try the whole menu!
Ristorante La Teca
Corso Italia, 15
15012 Bistagno (AL)
6.1 km & approx. 10 minutes by car
from Villa Gaia
(closed on Sunday evenings)
You can sit in a stylish ambience both in the restaurant and on the white gravel terrace in front of it. It's difficult to choose in the menu - there are many classic dishes in exciting variations. The "Carne Cruda" for the starter is a MUST here!
Osteria del Bramante
Piazza Barbero, 6
14050 Roccaverano
9.8 km & approx. 20 minutes by car
from Villa Gaia
(closed on Tuesdays)
The journey from Villa Gaia to the Osteria alone is a feast for the eyes. On a clear day you can see as far as the Alps. In the small, cosy restaurant you feel at home with friends, and when the weather is good you can sit in front of it in the market square.
La Nuova Drogheria
Piazza Caracco, 1
14050 Cassinasco (AT)
11 km & approx. 17 minutes by car
from Villa Gaia
(closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
You sit in the midst of colourfully filled shelves, because La Nuova Drogheria is a restaurant and shop in one. Almost everything (and more) that you can eat and drink here can be purchased directly. In the evening there is also a large selection of pizza. All ingredients used come from local producers - and you can taste it!
Ristorante Madonna della Neve
Regione Madonna della Neve, 2
14050 Cessole (AT)
11 km & approx. 19 minutes by car
from Villa Gaia
(closed on Thursdays)
The restaurant is located next to the small church of the same name and overlooks the Valle Bormida. On the menu you will find traditional Piedmontese dishes, which the chef often refines imaginatively. The ingredients come from their own garden or from local producers. You have to try it!
Ristorante Violetta
Valle San Giovanni, 1
14042 Calamandrana (AT)
20 km & approx. 29 minutes by car
from Villa Gaia
(closed on Wednesdays)
Always beautiful! In this down-to-earth family business you can expect no-frills Piedmontese cuisine and first-class service. The chef serves personally on the flower-bedecked covered terrace - be sure to ask him for wine recommendations.
CITY TOUR
Acqui Terme
... is famous for its hot sulphurous thermal springs, which were already in use by the Romans. One of these healing springs, LA BOLLENTE, is located right in the city centre in a pretty pedestrian zone. On the other side of the Bormida river, the remains of a large aqueduct testify to the past Roman presence.
Alba
... is known worldwide as the city of the white truffle. Since 2017 it has been recognized by UNESCO as a creative city of gastronomy. Every year in October/November the „Fiera del Tartufo Bianco“ takes place in Alba, a fair where white truffles are traded at top prices and at the same time numerous events, exhibitions and markets take place.
Alessandria
... is the capital of the province of the same name and attracts with its beautiful old town. In addition to interesting historical sights, numerous shops, cosy restaurants and bars await you here.
Asti
... became known worldwide primarily for its wine and sparkling wine, the Asti Spumante. In September there are wine and harvest festivals as well as the Palio d'Asti, a traditional horse race. You should definitely take some time to stroll through the medieval town centre.
Barbaresco & Barolo
... are the growing areas of the famous wines of the same name and are not only worth a trip for that reason.
La Morra
... is a picturesque hilltop town with breathtaking views of the endless vineyards in the heart of the Barolo wine region.
Neive
..., a neighbouring municipality of Barbaresco, is a member of the association I borghi più belli d'Italia (The most beautiful places in Italy). Rightly so!
Turin
..., the capital of Piedmont, is known for its magnificent architecture and has many sights to offer.
THE SPECIAL EXCURSION
Il Museo a Cielo Aperto
15010 Denice (AL)
In the small, medieval village of Denice, ceramic art by 63 different artists is exhibited on the facades of houses and on old stone walls - in the open air, free of charge and 24 hours a day.
Padel tennis
Regione San Rocco
14058 Sessame (AT)
Padel tennis is a mixture of tennis and squash and is played in fours. Perfect for getting rid of excess energy on vacation.
Parco d´arte Quarelli
Via Pianlavaggio, 16
14050 Roccaverano (AT)
In this private park, between woods, meadows, olive groves and orchards, there is an impressive collection of sculptures that you can walk through in about one hour. The visit must be reserved in advance.
Picnic on demand
Langamylove
c/o Library
14058 Monastero Bormida (AT)
How about a picnic at a location of your choice? At Langamylove you can order online what to put in the picnic basket. Includes wine and delivery.
Panchina Gigante del Cuore
Regione San Rocco
14058 Monastero Bormida (AT)
This walk is worth it! From the huge bench with heart-shaped backrest you have a breathtaking panorama.
SWITCH OFF EVERYDAY LIFE & GO HIKING
At the foot of the imposing, snow-capped Alps, in the midst of a lush green, hilly landscape all year round, are hidden many small towns and villages full of culture and Italian joie de vivre.
Countless rows of vines, hazelnut groves and lush green forests - as far as the eye can see. In between, winding asphalt roads lead uphill and downhill, past colourful houses and court-yards and picturesque villages that cling tightly to the hilltops.
In the spring, when it is often still cold and uncomfortable in northern Europe, the thermo-meter rises above the 20° mark here - as soon as the early morning fog that hangs in the valleys until midday has dissipated. Ideal weather for long hikes on the many marked trails
or exploration tours by e-bike.
Information on hikes is available at the local tourist information offices or online at
CELEBRATE FESTIVALS WHENEVER THEY OCCUR
Eating and drinking is a philosophy of life in Piedmont, which is why there are so many festivals throughout the year. There are numerous village festivals that focus on a regional spaciality, such as the Sagra del Polentone (Polenta Festival), the Sagra del Raviolo (Ravioli Festival) or the Sagra del Fungo Porcino (Boletus Mushroom Festival). In addition, there are many wine festivals, various markets and, and, and...
If you keep your eyes peeled, you can spot advertising posters along the main streets. Alternatively check online at
THE TRUFFLE SEASON
In Autumn, when the leaves in the vineyards and forests are changing colour and the sun is still spreading pleasantly warm temperatures, the culinary heyday in Piedmont begins. The restaurants tempt with fresh porcini mushrooms and white truffles.
Gourmet friends also look forward to the classic weekly markets in towns and villages, where you can buy fresh treasures in the squares - from fruit and vegetables to salami, cheese, honey, hazelnuts and the delicious truffle products.