Day 1

Tip: listen to unexpected sounds and the rhythm of your heart, as it will beat faster in front of magnificent frescoes, the beauty of the landscape, the villages and the eyes of those who will share this day with you.
Arrive in Sezzadio and “meet” the most famous local couple, Aleramo & Adelasia.

Do you know the origins of the name Monferrato? Legend or truth, it all began with a love story: a brave knight, a pretty damsel and the love opposed by the family. Aleramo was born here, at the Abbey of Santa Giustina of Sezzadio, into a noble family, who were travelling the Via Francigena to Rome.
The Abbey is one of the most important medieval buildings in Piedmont. It features a Romanesque layout with Gothic elements and its interior features considerable frescoes and the crypt with mosaic floor of the 11th century. A short distance away stands the Church of Santo Stefano which is connected with the monastery of the Cistercian nuns of Santa Maria di Banno in Tagliolo.
The interior features magnificent frescoes commissioned between 1469 and 1500 by the monks who included Santa Apollonia and Sant’Antonio Abate who remind us to savour the flavours and listen to the sounds the places evoke.

Transfer to Cassine and visit the Convent and the Church of San Francesco, built between 1291 and 1327. The Church was commissioned by Roberto d’Angiò, King of Naples in memory of his brother, the Franciscan Bishop San Louis of Toulouse, who had abdicated in his favour. San Francesco, with a basilica floor plan and three naves, is one of the few significant examples of Lombard Gothic architecture in Piedmont. The centre of the Chapter Room is home to a crowded Crucifixion with figures of Saints. On the northern wall and on the opposite side, in a continuous narrative, Stories of the Magi, the Adoration of the Child in the arms of the Virgin seated on a throne and the Saints, dear to Franciscan and local worship.
Followed by a moment of relaxation and wellbeing: One Love wellness route with sound massage: (The massage is carried out using Tibetan Bells, Gongs, Shaman Drum) Dinner by the pool and overnight in starbox for a romantic night in contact with the stars.

Day 2

Tip: A day among Gothic frescoes, unique water and a love story which becomes art. Enjoy this Holy Experience! Test your smell, hearing and touch and you will undoubtedly test the other two to be sure nothing is lost! Touch the water of the Bollente, breathe in and tune in to its gushing, taste it and then look around: you are at the centre of a perfect point.

After breakfast, short transfer to Acqui Terme. The city stands in the site of Aquae Statiellae, the ancient Roman city famous for its thermal water which gushes spontaneously in the city centre at a temperature of 75° from the aedicule of the Bollente fountain. Walk around the historical centre to the Roman arches along the River Bormida and visit the Cathedral of the Assumption which is home to the masterpiece of the Spanish painter Bartholemè Bermejo, the triptych of Our Lady of Monserrat. Stop-off to taste” the “bollentine”, the croissant made by hand with thermal water, exquisitely light on the palate. Worth a try!
Lunch at leisure in Acqui.

In the afternoon, visit Villa Ottolenghi. The history of the villa begins in 1923, when a young married couple, Arturo B. Ottolenghi and Herta Von Wedekind, bought a historical home on the hills of Borgo Monterosso. The name dates to the Middle Ages when the vegetation was composed of trees with reddish leaves. Art and beauty lovers, they were patrons of various artists who donated the couple numerous works which were put together in a surprising exhibition route where art, landscape and history merge in an endless embrace.

Followed by short transfer to Cavatore and visit to the Church of San Lorenzo, a rare example of the purest Romanesque style of Piedmont. It was a cemetery church and parish church until 1500, the apse and the tambour feature fragments of frescoes dating to the second half of the 15th century, including San Rocco, Sant’ Antonio Abate and Sant’ Agata. Dinner in relais restaurant with traditional local menu. Overnight in Acqui Terme in boutique B&B.

Day 3

Tip: Listen to the wind, your footsteps on the streets, the consistency of a dessert and, thanks to the stories, paintings and products, imagine listening to the voices of past lives which are still fascinating.

On board a vintage 2-seater convertible with the wind blowing through your hair, experience a day in the hills driving along scenic roads, enjoying the surrounding landscape. The first stop-off point is Ricaldone where you will visit the Museum dedicated to the singer songwriter Luigi Tenco born in this small village immersed in vineyards. Take the tour among recorded albums, articles, texts and music of a singer songwriter who revolutionised the style of Italian music.
Stop-off point for an aperitivo at the scenic viewpoint of Alice Bel Colle followed by Fontanile the village of painted walls. Thanks to the project “I Muri Raccontano” many of the buildings have been embellished by artistic mural paintings of scenes of everyday life with shops and specialty stores, moments of farming life, events occurred in the village.
Stop off in Mombaruzzo to taste “the amaretti”. These are well-known biscuits of the area created in the late 1700s from a romantic love story between a man from Mombaruzzo and a Sicilian pastry chef who worked for the Savoia family: are you curious to find out about this story and the origin of the name of these sweet biscuits which are anything but bitter? (amaro means bitter)
Lunch at leisure in local agriturismo
In the afternoon, in Rivalta Bormida, visit Palazzo Lignana an aristocratic residence of Upper Monferrato and home to the Elisabeth de Rothschild Foundation in memory of the wife of the baron Philippe de Rothschild. The guided tour includes the Loggia, the Staircase which is home to the painting gallery with the portraits of the family, the Foyer, the two 18th century frescoes of the Tiepolo school and access to the three permanent exhibitions curated by the Foundation.
Return car. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Acqui Terme

Day 4

Tip: Visit the elegant town of Nizza Monferrato and appreciate its most authentic aspects. Make its acquaintance by tasting mouthwatering products and listening to the stories of the Museum Hub at Palazzo Crova. Get a head start, listen to the short tour of the Claudia Formica Plaster cast gallery: open link

Transfer to Nizza Monferrato and free time to discover the town: walk in the historical centre along the Via Maestra to discover the Campanon, the 30m tower of the town hall and symbol of the battles of the town to defend the territory, two cannonballs are embedded in the
north side and clearly visible. Continue to the Cathedral, piazza del Mercato (must-see on Fridays) and Palazzo Crova which is home to the Regional Wine Store. The building also features an authentic Museum of Taste with multimedia installations on the origin of the excellent food and wine of Nizza and the Davide Lajolo Collection dedicated to Italian 20th century art.
The last floor is home to the Claudia Formica Plaster cast gallery: the artist was born here in the early 1900s and studied at the Accademia Albertina in Turin. From a young age, in her twenties, a woman in a purely male profession, she exhibited at national and international exhibitions, giving us statues and monuments of great intensity. In Turin, she also worked for Lenci, the most famous Italian pottery manufacturer between the two wars.
Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, visit an agricultural brewery, which is not just a craft brewery but also 100% Piedmontese. All the ingredients used in beer production are grown directly by the brewery for sustainable and responsible products. Sitting in the ring of the tap room you will taste unique beers such as Dafne, the beer made with the hunchback cardoon of Nizza Monferrato, this is also grown locally and is a Slow Food presidium.
Return to Acqui Terme, dinner at leisure and overnight accommodation.

Day 5

Tip: Listen to the story of the iconic Borsalino and feel part of a narrative where the allure lies in the meeting between glamour and fine craftsmanship.
Add a cocktail at a local bar and visit a famous goldsmith’s workshop to make the memory unforgettable.

After breakfast, transfer to Alessandria and visit the Borsalino Museum.
Borsalino is brand ambassador of Made in Italy worldwide, its name immediately recalls the hat worn in famous films or by stars of cinema and entertainment. Synonymous with tradition, craftsmanship and excellence, the historical company was founded here 166 years ago. Production still takes place on the outskirts of the town where, in new premises, the daily gestures of the ‘borsaline’, the name given to the female workers of the historical factory, are still repeated every day: 52 different steps are required to produce the most famous felt hat in the world.
At the Museum, enjoy a one-off experience, with a journey through cinema, art and design with more than 2000 hats organized in narrative routes and enriched by extensive anecdotes.
The next stop-off point will be the historical boutique of the brand in downtown Alessandria. Under the expert guidance of staff, you can try on and choose your very own Borsalino hat.
To finish, a super trendy aperitivo with wine-based mixology: what will you choose? Cortese in tacchi a spillo or an Americano ad Ovada?

In the afternoon, we suggest a visit to Sale to admire the Church of Santa Maria and San Siro, and then continue to Valenza and discover the masters of goldsmith art who have made the town synonymous with excellence in the world.
The Gold Experience is the first and only guided tour of a historical goldsmith company, based in Valenza since 1957. During the exclusive experience, a cultural and sensory route will show you how the jewels come to life, from the creation with the drawing by hand, passing through the molds and choice of stones, to the boutique where you can purchase a small and precious work of art with the advice of an expert.