What to do in Oltrepò Pavese: the 10 best activities

Horseback riding among the Langhe vineyards is ideal for those who love hilly views and vineyards. The trip is scheduled to start from San Marzano Oliveto. The excursion crosses the hills of Monferrato and proceeds mostly on dirt trails, beautiful to ride on horseback.

The stable is close (less than an hour's drive) to Asti, Alessandria and is just over an hour from Cuneo and Turin.

Group horseback riding is ideal for friends or even families with children; in fact, from age 8 and up, you can ride the pony. The age of the child should be communicated by phone to the guide once the confirmation of the reservation request has been received.

Walk with aperitif:

From San Marzano Oliveto, in the province of Asti, you will stroll through scenic vineyards and breathtaking landscapes, surrounded by the majestic backdrop of the Alps. There will be a chance to visit an agritourism in the area, where an aperitif will be served with two glasses of wine per person and mixed platters of cured meats and cold cuts.

Recommended attire for horseback riding tours includes closed shoes and long pants.

The horseback ride is suitable for beginners and first-time horseback riders; professional equestrian guides will accompany you on this wonderful adventure.

The experience cannot be done by pregnant women.

In case of motor difficulties please notify the facility once your reservation is confirmed

The walk lasts about 2 hours and ends with the return to the riding school.

The maximum weight limit for users is 100 kg .

If there are any delays please notify us. If the delay lasts longer than 15 minutes, the activity will not be guaranteed and the activity will no longer be refundable.

The quad bike excursion in the Monferrato hills departing from Conzano will allow you to experience an adventure driving a quad bike in an area considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be able to choose between two tours:

Quad Tour

The excursion is suitable for everyone and lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Together with an experienced guide, you will drive along a mostly unpaved route through vineyards and forests from which you can admire the area's evocative landscapes. On the way back you will pause at scenic spots to take some nice photo shoots while sitting on the Big Benches (giant benches that characterize these hills).

Quad bike tour and winery visit

Driving a quad bike you will be accompanied to discover the hills of Monferrato, driving along the dirt roads that pass through the vineyards and reveal the most striking landscapes. Along the way you will see where the typical products of Monferrato's wine and farming culture come from, as well as reach the most representative historical and artistic sites, including medieval castles, ancient quarries, country churches and open-air museums.
Halfway through the excursion there will be a stop at an authentic winery where you will be able to exclusively visit an Infernot, a cellar carved by hand into the cantonment stone, considered a Unesco World Heritage Site (You can add on the spot a tasting of typical products accompanied by the winery's wines).

On site you must pay the mandatory membership fee of €5 per person.

The tasting and visit to the Infernot cellars in Monferrato takes place in Cella Monte, which joined the Borghi più Belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages) in 2018 and includes: a visit to the historic winery and the infernot, followed by a tasting of four wines and a small platter of cured meats, cheeses and bruschetta.

The infernot are underground caves dug by hand, which allowed the Monferrato territory to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Langhe and Roero territories in 2014.

The visit concludes with a tasting of four wines produced by the winery accompanied by a small cutting board of local products and breadsticks. For the cutting board you can request a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free version.

During the tasting you will taste:

•    Mariulin (Piedmont DOC Chardonnay, Sparkling Brut Martinotti Method)
•    Dedalo (Monferrato DOC Bianco from Arneis grapes)
•    Solista (Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC)
•    Carisa (Piedmont DOC Barbera)

For visiting wineries in Monferrato, we recommend clothing appropriate for the low temperatures and high humidity present on the premises. For minors or those who do not taste, the rate includes ONLY:

•    1 non-alcoholic beverage (soft drink, juice)
•    1 small cutting board

A vineyard picnic in Monferrato is a perfect opportunity to relax in the fresh air while enjoying typical products and wines from Piedmont.

The experience begins with a visit to the winemaking cellar and the underground aging cellar, nestled among the Monferrato hills. Here you will find wooden barrels, barriques and tonneaux of Allier origin.

Afterwards, you will be given a soft plaid with pillows and a picnic basket full of delicacies to enjoy.

Enjoy this picnic with the view of the Monferrato Mountains as the backdrop for a relaxing moment in the Montemagno countryside.

The winery tour and tasting in the Piedmont hills of Langhe and Monferrato will allow you to discover the products of the area while visiting a quaint family-run winery.

The winery is located in Calosso, in the province of Asti, and the tour begins with a short walk through the vineyards around the winery while the owner will give you an introduction to the area.

You will continue by visiting the winery with its winemaking area and the rooms where the wine is aged in barrels.

At the end you will be taken to the panoramic terrace or to the tasting room (in winter) to taste 6 wines including their Chardonnay, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Gamba di Pernice to end with Moscato d'Asti.

Everyone can participate in the tour and tasting. Minors can participate free of charge by not drinking.

Walk through the hills of Asti, along dirt paths surrounded by nature among woods, vineyards and hazel groves.

Before setting off you will have time to become familiar with the animal, brush it and prepare it with the saddle. If you are inexperienced, you will start with a few minutes in the practice field to learn the basic commands; if you are already practiced, you will leave immediately for the walk.

The pace of the ride allows you to relax and enjoy your surroundings, farm at the most scenic spots to admire the view and take souvenir photos.

You can choose a duration of 1 or 2 hours when booking. The experience is suitable for ages 14 and up; minors without experience must be accompanied by an adult. No experience is required and the maximum weight to participate is 110 kg. Long pants and closed, comfortable shoes are required.

The activity takes place year-round, and both American and English mount saddles are available. Companions can wait in the riding stables, where you will find covered spaces in both winter and summer.

The quad bike ride and wine tasting in the Langhe from Alba is a delightful and fascinating experience that combines the quad bike ride with a fantastic wine tasting.

This quad bike excursion in the Langhe can be developed in two fantastic ways:

Tour in the Langhe and wine tasting

During the quad bike excursion in the Langhe you will discover the breathtaking landscapes of the Unesco World Heritage territories by driving your quad bike. You will have the opportunity to admire up close vineyards, hazelnut groves and the particularities of this territory.

When you return from the quad bike experience, you will be offered a tasting of 6 100% organic wines in a certified winery just a short walk from Grinzane Cavour Castle.

Aperitour in the vineyard and wine tasting

During this half-day tour you will have the opportunity to ride an ATV as a couple, with friends or with family on scenic routes through the heart of the Langhe and Barolo hills.

The route includes a stop among the vineyards, during which you can enjoy an aperitif with traditional Piedmont flavors. On the way back, a delicious tasting of Arneis, Orange Wine, Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Barolo will await you, directly from a certified producer of 100% organic wines.

For each quad bike, a maximum of two participants, one driver and one passenger, can board. 

In case of allergies or dietary needs è you must contact the facility directly.

Lunch in the vineyard with winery visit in the Langhe allows you to enjoy a relaxing experience in a picturesque setting.

You will visit a Piedmontese winery where you will meet the owner Roberto who will personally welcome you. Here you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the passion that drives the work at this winery.

This will be followed by an aperitif filled with appetizers and accompanied by a tasting of 5 fine wines.

The experience will conclude with a traditional lunch that includes:

•    3 typical Langhe appetizers
•    2 first courses
•    1 second course
•    1 dessert
•    water
•    wine
•    coffee

In addition, there is also an alternative menu for toddlers (children ages 3 to 12) and minors or adults who do not taste, to be selected at the time of booking.

In case of bad weather, you can choose to move the date of your reservation within the limits of the cancellation policy or attend anyway, as lunch is still guaranteed. Tables will be set up inside the winery so you can eat among the barrels.

In case of food allergies and intolerances, it is possible to contact the facility following the reservation.

Picnic among the beautiful vineyards of the Langhe. Ideal for those who want to relax while being with friends and enjoying an excellent glass of wine.

After a short walk of about 20 minutes among the vineyards you can enjoy a delicious Picnic.

It will be a different walk than usual, there are colorful signs pointing to the different points of interest and old colored containers to mark the way.

During the walk you can also stop at an amazing viewpoint from which you can admire the Superga hill in Turin.

Before you arrive, then stop by and pick up everything you need for your picnic of local wines and delicacies.

Winery tour, lunch and wine tasting at one of the historic Langhe wineries in the picturesque Piedmont area near Alba and Barolo.

Delicious menu includes:

•    cold and hot appetizers from our country tradition
•    a homemade first course of your choice
•    a second course
•    a dessert

For children there is a menu that includes pasta, schnitzel and potatoes and a final dessert so they too can enjoy this fun experience.

A sweatshirt is recommended for the winery visit.

Food and wine experience in the Langhe, in La Morra, combining a sushi cooking class with a winery wine tasting, to discover an original combination of Piedmontese tradition and Japanese cuisine.

The activity begins with a hands-on class led by a sushi chef, during which you will learn how to prepare rice, hosomaki, temaki, uramaki and nigiri using selected ingredients. At the end, you will taste the dishes you have made, accompanied by small gourmet pairings and a dessert.

The experience is complemented by a tasting of two iconic wines from the winery, chosen to enhance the different sushi preparations, all in a unique setting among the barrels of the tasting room.

Wine tasting with a guided tour of the winery and vineyard in Alba is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the hills of Piedmont and discover the Langhe region.

The experience begins with a walk through the vineyard from where you will admire the view of the Barolo and Barbaresco hills. Then you will continue into the winery and be shown all the rooms that characterize the wine production process.

At the end of the visit, you will be treated to a tasting of 5 wines including:

•    2 glasses of white wine of your choice
•    1 glass of Rosè di Nebbiolo
•    2 glasses of red wine of your choice

The wines will be accompanied by a board of typical products.

To participate in the tasting you must be over 18 years of age. Minors will not be allowed to taste.

Alpaca walking in Carpaneto Piacentino allows you to enjoy a relaxing experience immersed in the tranquility of the countryside.

You can walk along pristine paths through forests, flowering meadows and vineyards accompanied by gentle, soft alpacas.

This experience is suitable for everyone: families, couples, groups of friends or simply those looking for a relaxing time away from the daily hustle and bustle.

Alpacas are gentle, curious and peaceful creatures, perfect for a relaxing and fun experience. Following their slow, meditative pace, you will savor the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves and their quiet breathing.

At the beginning of the experience there is a brief introduction about alpacas to learn about them, how to interact with them and how to guide them safely.

Afterwards there is a walk of about 1 hour on a nature trail, with stops to enjoy the scenery and make friends with these fascinating animals.

Discover the ancient art of Falconry: an exciting experience in the midst of nature that allows you to interact with a majestic bird of prey.

The falconry class is a perfect adventure to get close to the world of falcons and other birds of prey, where you can learn the secrets of an ancient art and become, for a day, real falconers.

This experience is suitable for everyone: ideal for enthusiasts, families, team building or those looking for an out-of-the-ordinary activity. When booking you can choose between the option suitable only for adults and the experience for younger children.

For adults

This experience will allow you to be in direct contact with majestic raptors: you can hold a hawk, owl or buzzard on your fist.

You will experience an interactive and engaging adventure: you will actively participate in the flight, calls, and care of these animals.

Class includes:

•    Theoretical introduction: biology, behavior and training techniques of raptors
•    Flight demonstration
•    Hands-on experience: you will try to call a raptor on your glove and guide it in flight under the supervision of an experienced falconer
•    Photography sessions

For children

Younger children (ages 4 and up) can experience the thrill of calling a raptor on their glove, observe it up close and learn the secrets of these fascinating birds.

The Baptism of the Glove is the perfect experience to introduce children to the world of raptors in an easy and fun way.

Your children will have direct contact with docile birds: trained owls, buzzards or hawks. The whole thing will be immortalized with a souvenir photo.

The falconer will show the raptor and explain how to gently approach it. Next, the child will put on a falconer's glove and, with the expert's help, call the raptor on his or her hand.

At the end, each child will receive a symbolic certificate to remember the experience.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

If you choose to participate in the vineyard picnic in Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy, you will have a unique experience, stroll three vineyards and then rest while picnicking among the vines.

Everything you need for the picnic will be provided by the facility.

What is included in the picnic bag (for 2 people):

•    fabric bag with tablecloth
•    a bottle of wine (variable depending on the option chosen)
•    a bottle of water
•    local cold cuts and cheeses
•    homemade bread
•    tart with local jams
•    glasses and tableware

One should equip oneself with comfortable shoes, sun hats, sunscreen and insect repellent. We recommend bringing blankets to sit on in the grass, beach sarongs or towels to spread between rows of trees for shade.

Take part in an exotic parrot walk in the countryside of Verrua Po, in Oltrepò Pavese.

Guided by an expert, you will learn about different species, including Ararauna, Chloroptera, Amazons, Parakeets and Calopsitte, learning biological and behavioral notions.

During the approximately 1.5-kilometer walk you will interact with the birds, which will fly free and perch on your shoulders for unforgettable souvenir photos.

The activity, lasting about 2 hours, will end with a snack of homemade cakes, sandwiches or chips depending on the availability of the day.

Take part in a unique experience in the company of lively parrots in the province of Pavia.

Guided by an expert, you will have the opportunity to learn about these birds up close and interact with them in a knowledgeable and respectful manner.

During the activity you will meet numerous species, including Ararauna, Chloroptera, Amazons, Parakeets and Calopsitte. Thanks to the guide's explanations you will learn to recognize their distinguishing characteristics, delving into biological and behavioral aspects.

Next, you will experience the thrill of interacting directly with the parrots during flight demonstrations and arm-call sessions, an engaging and unforgettable moment.

To best conclude the experience, you will toast together with a snack of homemade cakes, sandwiches or chips, depending on the availability of the day.

The total duration of the activity is about 3 hours.

Learn all the secrets about wine making and create your own unique blend with this workshop at the Urban Winery in Milan.

Program

As soon as you arrive, you will be served a welcome glass, which you can taste during a tour of the winery's production area, accompanied by a brief introduction to the project.

Next you will taste 3 wine bases, learning to recognize the differences related to production methods. Based on your tastes, you can then create your own custom blend.

To conclude, you will be able to unleash your imagination by decorating the bottle label of the created wine.

At the end of the experience you will be given a bottle of the wine made, one per group (group means the group that made the reservation), to take home as a memento of the experience.

Any extra bottles of the created blend can be purchased directly on site, at a price of 10€ per bottle, upon request to the facility prior to creation.

Botanical workshop in Milan to create a terrarium, that is a small glass garden made step by step with expert guidance.

During the experience you will learn how to design and make a terrarium, creating a small self-sustaining ecosystem inside a glass container. You will discover how to choose the most suitable plants, prepare the substrate, balance moisture and light, and properly assemble all the elements to ensure the longevity of your miniature garden.

Beekeeper's Day in Zibido San Giacomo, in the province of Milan, to learn how bees live and discover all the secrets about how honey and other products are made.

The experience is held from March to September, with variations depending on weather conditions.

Program

To begin, your guide will give you an introduction to the world of beekeeping. You will then put on equipment to visit the hives and, if you are not afraid, pick up a frame that has just been removed from the hive . After that you will visit the honey extraction workshop, where you will witness the production of honey.

At the end of the experience you will be given a jar of honey produced by the bees you were able to observe.

Horseback riding along the Adda River, lasting one to two hours, through the surrounding woods is an experience not to be missed.

The horseback rides are also suitable for beginners, as they consist of comfortable and wide paths located within the Adda Park.

Thanks to this ride you will have the opportunity to explore the nature that characterizes these places, and to let the horses water within the river.

During the horseback ride, departing from Rivolta d'Adda, you will be accompanied by two equestrian guides, who will lead you for the duration of the excursion.

Visit to the chocolate factory and chocolate tasting in Milan ideal for spending a culinary day among the many flavors of chocolate.

There are 3 different tours within the experience:

.

Base

At the beginning of the activity you will observe, using the 3D viewer, the harvesting and production stages of cocoa beans on a Perù plantation. Afterwardsè you will pass by the "Cioccoteca", the roasting room and the processing laboratory to find out all about artisanal production. The visità will end with a tasting of 3 different types of chocolate.

Media

At the beginning of the activity you will observe, using the 3D viewer, the harvesting and production stages of cocoa beans on a Perù plantation. Afterwardsè you will pass by the "Cioccoteca", the roasting room and the processing laboratory to find out all about artisanal production. The visità will end with a tasting of 5 different types of chocolate.

Premium

At the beginning of the activity, you will be able to observe, using the 3D viewer, the harvesting and production stages of cocoa beans on a Perù plantation. Afterwardsè you will pass by the "Cioccoteca", the roasting room and the processing laboratory to find out all about artisanal production. The visità will end with a tasting of 5 different types of chocolate accompanied by a glass of sweet wine.

The maximum limit who canò participate in a single visitanè of 8 people, also each tour lasts about 1 hour.

With this horseback ride in the Ticino Nature Park you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the horses, brush them and prepare the necessary equipment for an enjoyable ride.

The experience begins with a short introductory lesson that will help you learn how to tame your horse.

During the horseback ride, which will have an effective duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes, you will ride through the forest and spring areas, rich in waterways and vegetation. If lucky, you may see storks, herons and other migratory species.

There is also an opportunity to picnic on horseback.