The Sacred Mountains in Piedmont: Unesco Heritage!

The Black Madonna in Oropa, the Sacred Mountain of Orta and its romantic lake, the Sacred mountain of Crea, the Monferrato hills and its wines, the Sacred Mountain of Belmonte, the morenic hills in Canavese and the city of Turin! 

The Sanctuary of Oropa, the largest Marian sanctuary in the Alps and one of the most important in Europe, welcomes you in all its majesty and beauty. You will be remember his silences, his clear sky, the crackling of the water that flows from the central fountain of the "Burnell", its green meadows, and mountains that surround it like a warm embrace. Visit the shrine's complex, the Museum of Treasures and the Royal House, the collection of ex-votos, the Sacro Monte, the Observatory Meteorosismico and the Library.

Biella is at his feet and give you the opportunity to discover other places and glimpses of this corner of Piedmont less known but full of treasures. Stroll the medieval town of Biella Piazzo, reached by a funicular, with the 

palaces of the families who have made the history of Italy, the Ferrero, the La Marmora.

From here you can see and visit Biella, the world capital of wool and cashmere and home of brands such as Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, Cerruti, Piacenza .. At the end the day, feel returning to the past by visiting the Ricetto, medieval village among the most beautiful in Italy, walking in the evening in its cobbled streets, after a dinner at a local restaurant.

Relax and discover the most romantic Italian lake, Orta lake! Luxuriate in an atmosphere that combines the mysticism of the Sacro Monte, with its chapels and gardens, and the romance of the Orta Lake.

Walking through the streets of Orta, Piazza Motta with the pier for the island, you will discover enchanting corners, arches and narrow streets that lead into the lake, villas and palazzi.

And the island of San Giulio: the legend goes that this island, at 400 meters from the shore of Orta, was once a rock inhabited by snakes and terrible monsters, when Saint Giulio set foot on it: walking the lake waters on his cloak and guided by his staff through the storm, the Saint founded a church, where he was later to be buried, and transformed the island into the evangelization centre of the entire region. Of course you will reach the Island on comfortable boats, but the charm of the place is always the same.

Come and discover the treasures of the hills of Monferrato: the Sacro Monte di Crea, and, between beautiful landscapes, castles, ancient villages, unique artisans of gastronomy and restaurants, its fine wine, entrusted to his native grape varieties: Barbera, Grignolino, Freisa, Ruché, Malvasia di Casorzo.

And Casale Monferrato, the ancient capital of Monferrato, one of the most interesting art cities of Piedmont.

It has bee called "the baroque city" for many palaces and churches, with their fine interior, renovated in that architecture season, but Casale has attractions belonging to every age and every religion, as his Synagogue, built in 1595 inside the inner Jewish city district and now Italian National Monument. In contrast to the unadorned exterior, the interior of the synagogue is richly decorated with paintings and gilded stucco,

retaining the original baroque furniture.

Take advantage and also taste the typical cookies of Casale, the "krumiri" accompanied by local wines.

And all around, the charm of the ancient villages, the churches in the vineyards, the cellars and the infernot. To the west, the Valle Cerrina and Moncalvese, including wild woods and truffle fairs, to the east, Valenza, world capital of the art of the goldsmith and jeweler, home of the Park of River Po, a secluded area where being in contact with the nature and the river.

Come and discover the treasures of another corner of Piedmont, the hills and mountains of Monferrato. The Sacro Monte di Belmonte, which, from its position, allows a magnificent view of the hills and surrounding mountains. And the Gran Paradiso, a sentinel of these places from its 4061 meters high.

And Turin: Italy's first capital, offers unparalleled views from the city streets and boulevards porches, a balance between the Piedmontese Baroque splendor and rational Roman town planning. Torino seduces visitors with its noble and solemn spaces as Piazza Castello, while in its historic cafés and restaurants it proves to be queen of taste and conviviality: you can not then be groped by the lively citizens rites: the appetizer and the rite of chocolate cup. And his Royal Residences in 1997 declared "World Heritage" by UNESCO.

PROGRAM 4 NIGHTS/5 DAYS.

 

Day 1: Arrival and accommodation in double room at the Reception Office of the Sanctuary. Guided tour of the Sanctuary, of Sacro Monte, and the Chapels of the Cross. Dinner and overnight.

 

Day 2: After breakfast, transfer to Biella, guided tour of Biella Piazzo, the medieval part of the city, descent by cable car to Biella and guided tour of the city. Transfer for a guided visit to the Ricetto of Candelo. Dinner at a restaurant at the entrance of the village.

After lunch, transfer with your bus to Orta and guided tour of the Sacred Mountain and the Chapels of the Cross. Accommodation in a double room in one hotel of Orta San Giulio. Dinner at a restaurant with a lakeside terrace, reached by boat with a drink on board. Return to the hotel. Relax walking along the lake. Overnight.

Day 3: After breakfast, guided tour of the Island of San Giulio. Visit the Basilica with its carved pulpit and walk in his ways. Lunch at a restaurant on the island. Transfer with your bus to Crea and Walking tour of the Sacro Monte and its chapels. Tasting of local wines and rich taste of local cheeses and meats at a winery near the Sacro Monte.

Accommodation in double room at the Hospitality Center of Sacro Monte. Dinner and overnight.

 

Day 4: breakfast and transfer with your bus to Casale. Half day guided visit of the city. Transfer to Sacro Monte of Belmonte. Half day guided visit of Belmonte. Lunch in a restaurant near the Sanctuary. Accommodation in double room at a hotel near the Sacro Monte. Dinner and overnight.

 

Day 5: after breakfast, meeting with the guide who will accompany you throughout the morning. Departure for a guided tour of the city of Turin. Morning visit to the beautiful complex of Venaria Reale and its gardens. We will then move to the city where you can enjoy in complete freedom and according to your choice, specialties of Piedmont and Italy at Eataly (not included). In the afternoon the visit will continue for a walk in the city center to discover the main attractions, squares, monuments of Turin. End of the tour.

 

 

Included: 4 half board in a double room, 4 full day tour guide, 3 lunches, wine tasting in Crea, 1 two way ticket for Biella cable car. All transfers by boat including a drink on board.

 

Not included: drinks, lunch on Day 5, Orta train ticket, bus transfers, anything not mentioned in "Included"