Day Itinerary
15 Activities
Day 1
68 mi0.3 mi
The Scenic Road Across Hills and Villages
Begin this first day of discovery of the Basso Monferrato by driving along one of the area's most beautiful roads, which will take you through wonderful hilly landscapes.
Get off the hill at Castelnuovo Don Bosco and begin your exploration of the characteristic villages between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria.
The first village you will visit is Cocconato, defined as the Riviera del Monferrato due to its mild climate and the presence of plants typical of the Riviera area.
After admiring the views as you stroll to the top of the hill, continue on to the second village, Murisengo, famous for its truffles and coffee tradition, but also for the remains of its medieval past.
You will stop to admire the landscape at the Romanesque Tower of San Pietro and then drive to the Castle of Murisengo, bordering the wooded area.
Afterward, you will move on to the Sacro Monte di Crea where you will taste the traditional cuisine in a local restaurant, and then you will walk to the protected area: a religious path of 23 chapels built on top of the hill.
Of all of them, I recommend you visit the Paradise Chapel, which will impress you with its more than 300 plaster and terracotta statues.
The next village on your route is tiny Moncalvo, here you will visit the Museo Civico where you will be surprised to see works by very famous painters: de Chirico, Chagall, Maccari, and Modigliani. After a walk through the historic village, proceed to Alfio Natta.
Book a visit to the cellars of the Rozzano Castle where you can visit the ancient wine-ageing rooms and will then be expertly guided through a tasting of their wines.
End the day tasting local dishes in a traditional farmhouse and book a stay in a farmhouse surrounded by green hills.
Get off the hill at Castelnuovo Don Bosco and begin your exploration of the characteristic villages between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria.
The first village you will visit is Cocconato, defined as the Riviera del Monferrato due to its mild climate and the presence of plants typical of the Riviera area.
After admiring the views as you stroll to the top of the hill, continue on to the second village, Murisengo, famous for its truffles and coffee tradition, but also for the remains of its medieval past.
You will stop to admire the landscape at the Romanesque Tower of San Pietro and then drive to the Castle of Murisengo, bordering the wooded area.
Afterward, you will move on to the Sacro Monte di Crea where you will taste the traditional cuisine in a local restaurant, and then you will walk to the protected area: a religious path of 23 chapels built on top of the hill.
Of all of them, I recommend you visit the Paradise Chapel, which will impress you with its more than 300 plaster and terracotta statues.
The next village on your route is tiny Moncalvo, here you will visit the Museo Civico where you will be surprised to see works by very famous painters: de Chirico, Chagall, Maccari, and Modigliani. After a walk through the historic village, proceed to Alfio Natta.
Book a visit to the cellars of the Rozzano Castle where you can visit the ancient wine-ageing rooms and will then be expertly guided through a tasting of their wines.
End the day tasting local dishes in a traditional farmhouse and book a stay in a farmhouse surrounded by green hills.
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08:305 min
Scenic Viewpoint
You will drive along one of the most beautiful scenic roads that will take you gently through the hills of the Lower Monferrato.
You will descend to the height of Castelnuovo Don Bosco to reach the first destination of this itinerary.
In this area, you could easily hear the term scollinare, which is used precisely to move from one side of the hill to the other.
You will descend to the height of Castelnuovo Don Bosco to reach the first destination of this itinerary.
In this area, you could easily hear the term scollinare, which is used precisely to move from one side of the hill to the other.
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20.8 mi
50 min
09:3030 min
Caffe Bar Roma
Take a seat at a table on the terrace of this bar that overlooks a neat little square that well represents the elegance and distinctive atmosphere of this village.
Have breakfast with a foamy cappuccino and a crunchy croissant while breathing in the fresh and clean air of the area.
Have breakfast with a foamy cappuccino and a crunchy croissant while breathing in the fresh and clean air of the area.
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0.3 mi
5 min
10:155 min
Parking
Cocconato, in dialect Coconà, is located at an altitude of over 490 metres and is known as Riviera del Monferrat for its temperate climate.
Park here your car to reach easily the historic centre where, walking through the narrow streets, you may notice palm trees, olive trees, and mimosas.
Park here your car to reach easily the historic centre where, walking through the narrow streets, you may notice palm trees, olive trees, and mimosas.
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0.1 mi
5 min
10:3030 min
Parrocchia di Cocconato
Climb until you reach the village church at the top of the hill: every time you turn around, the view behind you will become more and more beautiful until it dominates all the roofs of the houses.
You can admire the interior of the Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione, which, if closed, can be opened by the priest Don Igor through the contacts you can find on their website.
Continue your walk through the narrow streets of the hamlet, from which you will see the Cocconato Tower, which belonged to the ancient castle.
Then continue along small churches and breathtaking views of the hilly landscape in the background.
You can admire the interior of the Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione, which, if closed, can be opened by the priest Don Igor through the contacts you can find on their website.
Continue your walk through the narrow streets of the hamlet, from which you will see the Cocconato Tower, which belonged to the ancient castle.
Then continue along small churches and breathtaking views of the hilly landscape in the background.
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0.1 mi
5 min
11:155 min
Parking
Back on the road to the second village to discover, the first of the Lower Monferrato or Monferrato Casalese: Murisengo.
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6.9 mi
15 min
11:4515 min
Torre di San Pietro
Murisengo is famous for its coffee and truffle tradition.
In fact, the presence of the white truffle, previously thought to be found only in Alba, was discovered in this area. Every year it is one of the main venues for the international truffle fair.
One of the most interesting things to see is the Torre di San Pietro, a Romanesque building located in a hilly area from which you will admire a wonderful panorama.
In fact, the presence of the white truffle, previously thought to be found only in Alba, was discovered in this area. Every year it is one of the main venues for the international truffle fair.
One of the most interesting things to see is the Torre di San Pietro, a Romanesque building located in a hilly area from which you will admire a wonderful panorama.
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0.7 mi
5 min
12:1530 min
Castello di Murisengo
Drive up to the castle following the narrow uphill streets. You will notice the crenellated tower rising above the village.
The castle is privately owned, but you can book a tour on their official website.
The castle is privately owned, but you can book a tour on their official website.
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11.5 mi
25 min
13:151 hr
Ristorante Crea
Make a reservation for lunch in the dehor of this typically Piedmontese restaurant that serves the traditional Monferrato cuisine.
Already at the entrance, you will smell the scent of tradition, in fact their dishes follow local recipes: homemade pasta, Piedmontese meat, fritto misto and much more.
Order as starters the trilogia di fassona piemontese, as main the fritto misto and, if you still have room, the hazelnut cake with zabaglione.
All home-made cuisine is prepared with genuine, local products. In addition to the delicacies on the menu, the restaurant is also very cosy and the staff will make you feel welcome.
Make a reservation by calling this number +39 0142940108. The restaurant is open daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM.
Already at the entrance, you will smell the scent of tradition, in fact their dishes follow local recipes: homemade pasta, Piedmontese meat, fritto misto and much more.
Order as starters the trilogia di fassona piemontese, as main the fritto misto and, if you still have room, the hazelnut cake with zabaglione.
All home-made cuisine is prepared with genuine, local products. In addition to the delicacies on the menu, the restaurant is also very cosy and the staff will make you feel welcome.
Make a reservation by calling this number +39 0142940108. The restaurant is open daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM.
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0.2 mi
5 min
14:3045 min
Chapel of Paradise
The next stop is an exceptional place on top of a hill. Leave your car at the parking and walk to the peak, from which you can admire the surrounding wine-growing landscape.
At the end of the 16th century in this place was created a religious itinerary consisting today of 23 chapels to pray and meditate.
Absolutely not to be missed is the chapel number XXIII, the Chapel of Paradise, where there are over 300 statues suspended from the vault in terracotta and plaster.
Come down the hill and get back in the car to discover the next pearl of Monferrato, the village of Moncalvo.
At the end of the 16th century in this place was created a religious itinerary consisting today of 23 chapels to pray and meditate.
Absolutely not to be missed is the chapel number XXIII, the Chapel of Paradise, where there are over 300 statues suspended from the vault in terracotta and plaster.
Come down the hill and get back in the car to discover the next pearl of Monferrato, the village of Moncalvo.
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4.8 mi
15 min
15:301 hr
Civic Museum of Moncalvo
In the smallest town in Italy, great treasures are concealed. In fact, it is worth visiting this civic museum that hides unexpected works.
Here you will find an incredible permanent picture gallery with paintings by de Chirico, Chagall, Maccari, Modigliani, and other 20th century painters.
The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays.
To have additional information about tickets and to book a guided tour in English, you can write them an email. If you can speak Italian, it is not necessary to book unless you are with a big group of people. In this case, you can call them.
Here you will find an incredible permanent picture gallery with paintings by de Chirico, Chagall, Maccari, Modigliani, and other 20th century painters.
The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays.
To have additional information about tickets and to book a guided tour in English, you can write them an email. If you can speak Italian, it is not necessary to book unless you are with a big group of people. In this case, you can call them.
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0.4 mi
5 min
16:4530 min
Castello dei Marchesi del Monferrato
Stroll through the characteristic alleyways admiring the historical buildings of this small village: above of all the Palace of the Marquises of Monferrato, and the Testa Fochi Palace.
Peek at the little churches you will come across as you stroll, such as the Church of San Francesco, the Church of St. Anthony Abbot, and the Church of Madonna delle Grazie.
Peek at the little churches you will come across as you stroll, such as the Church of San Francesco, the Church of St. Anthony Abbot, and the Church of Madonna delle Grazie.
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5.5 mi
15 min
17:301 hr 30 min
Castello di Razzano
Keep driving while relaxing among the hilly roads and reach this castle. Stroll through the castle's vineyards and enter the inner courtyard where you can access the wine museum, cellars, and wine shop.
The rooms where you will find the cellars are the ancient ageing rooms, later restored and still in use today. At the end of the tour, you can have a tasting or buy one of the locally produced wines and other typical products.
It is possible to book a visit to the museum and the ageing cellars with or without wine tasting and apéritif.
The rooms where you will find the cellars are the ancient ageing rooms, later restored and still in use today. At the end of the tour, you can have a tasting or buy one of the locally produced wines and other typical products.
It is possible to book a visit to the museum and the ageing cellars with or without wine tasting and apéritif.
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10.6 mi
25 min
19:3030 min
Before going to dinner check in at this property where you will spend the night, located on top of a hill from which it takes its name, the Monrabbioso hill.
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3.3 mi
10 min
20:151 hr
Antichi Sapori
Make a reservation to eat at this trattoria, which offers first-class products and the traditional cuisine of the area.
Try the peppers with bagna cauda with one of the homemade pasta dishes, or if you're feeling peckish, opt for a tasting menu.
The prices reflect the quality, the products, and wine are of excellent choice, the ambience is cosy, and the family service is delightful.
Try the peppers with bagna cauda with one of the homemade pasta dishes, or if you're feeling peckish, opt for a tasting menu.
The prices reflect the quality, the products, and wine are of excellent choice, the ambience is cosy, and the family service is delightful.
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3.3 mi
10 min
21:3010 hrs
After your hearty meal, return to the cascina and take a walk in the garden admiring the stars before going to bed.
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