Day 1

Tip: listen to the noise of your footsteps and the gurgling of the water from the springs and feel a sense of wellbeing; peek at the frescoes through the church window and imagine a private conversation among the painted figures; enjoy the food with all your senses, appreciating the sounds of the different consistencies.

Arrive in Calizzano (SV): Take a walk in the medieval village as far as the remains of the Castle from where you can enjoy a scenic view and visit the Gothic Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie, featuring an external frescoed portico. Followed by tour to discover the fountains considered beneficial to health, and which make Calizzano the village of water: “Da Mora”, “Da Madunena”, “Bricten”, the oldest in the hamlet of Caragna and “Cruvoyra”, the most popular for the beneficial properties of its waters.
Transfer to Bardineto (SV). Visit the Church of San Nicolao which can be reached from Provincial Road 52 by Colle dello Scravaiòn, climbing the trail which rises steeply to the left, immediately after the bridge over the Rio San Giovanni and which also takes to the Fons Salutis of San Nicolò from where the purist water flows.
The current appearance of the church is the result of various structural modifications through the centuries. Specifically, we can recognise three main construction phases: Early Medieval, Romanesque, Late Medieval. If the church is closed, it is strongly recommended to peek at the beautiful frescoes (perhaps by Antonio da Monteregale) through a window!
Return to the village of Bardineto and dinner with tasting of traditional dishes featuring specialities of the area such as porcini mushrooms of Bardineto.
Overnight in hotel in Bardineto.

Day 2

Tip: listen to the rhythmed sound of the horses’ hooves, the rustle of the leaves powered by the sea wind and nature’s breath merging with your own.

Day dedicated to the discovery of the area on horseback, trekking or by MTB. Bardineto is located 700 metres above sea level at the centre of a plateau of almost 3000 hectares. Surrounded by lush vegetation with 150 km of trails and a strategic point to travel part of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri (emotional itinerary which crosses all of Liguria from west to east) you can admire its breathtaking views in any season. The chosen tour will be led by a qualified tour leader and include a pocket lunch.
Dinner at leisure and overnight accommodation.

Day 3

Tip: listen to the water when it is river, energy in the dam or lake; listen to yourself as you chat, laugh, when you are alone cutting the water in a canoe or immersing an oar. The Church of Millesimo has its own Sant’ Antonio Abate which reminds us to exercise our hearing, but also San Rocco who, often depicted with a dog, is perfect to elicit the sense of smell, perhaps with the precious truffle. Why not go truffle hunting in a starry night with the sounds of the forest in the background.

After breakfast, set off for Millesimo (SV), one of the most beautiful villages of Italy. It began as a Roman outpost thanks to its strategic position; it retains small gems such as the Bridge della Gaietta, rare example of fortified watchtower and access point to the residential centre.
A must-see site is the Church of Santa Maria Extra Muros, curiously hidden from the road by the houses and facing onto the River Bormida of Millesimo, the western source branch of the River Bormida. It features a basilica layout divided into three naves by all round arches and a belltower with five orders of the 15th century. The interior features frescoes of evangelists and saints painted in the late 1400s and early 1500s. Between late September and early October of each year, Millesimo hosts the Truffle Festival of Valle Bormida: the precious mushroom that grows underground is one of the best-known specialties of the area. Possibility to take part in truffle hunting and extraction with an expert truffle hunter (activity is regulated by regional law and cannot be carried out all year).
Lunch at leisure. After lunch, cross the Bric Tana Regional Park and arrive at the Lake of Osiglia, a 3km-long artificial basin and protected area of community interest. Relax on the banks and take the opportunity to practice water sports.
In Bormida, in the summer season, do not miss the scenic point, a picnic under the stars and the educational astronomical observatory.
Overnight in Bardineto.

Day 4

Tip: does anybody work in a silk factory? They no longer exist, but the museum of Monesiglio is a place of memory where you can hear the stories, songs and ancient machinery. The tour will include the Gothic and late-Gothic frescoes of the churches of Monesiglio, Saliceto and Sale San Giovanni, which are home to the images of Sant’ Antonio Abate, Santa Lucia, Sant’ Apollonia and San Rocco; look for them, and with each experience start to exercise your hearing and continue to appreciate with the eyes, to taste and refine your sense of smell. If you visit the chapel of Sant’ Anastasia in Sale S. Giovanni do not forget to identify San Romeo in the frescoes. He was the protector of pilgrims and travellers and, consequently, by extension, tourists!

Day dedicated to the discovery of other precious Gothic gems of Valle Bormida.
First stop-off point is Monesiglio. Visit the Church of Santa Maria dell’Acqua Dolce, also known as “Madonna di S. Biagio”. Santa Maria dell’Acqua Dolce dates to the 12th century and was a baptismal church. The three apses and hanging arches, perfectly semicircular, run along the high part of the left side. Inside, you can admire the fine frescoes of the central apse, dating to the 12th century, depicting a majestic Christ Pantocrator surrounded by the symbols of the four evangelists. On the right side, a 15th century fresco with Madonna and Child between San Giovanni Battista and Sant’ Antonio Abate. By appointment, it is possible to visit the castle chapel, a treasure trove of magnificent frescoes.
Visit the Silk Museum located in the structure of the historical spinning mill of Monesiglio: the entrance is in the shape of a cocoon and the songs of the female workers, known as «filer», accompany visitors on the tour. Slides and descriptive panels on the cultivation of the mulberry, on silkworm breeding, ancient machinery and a plastic model are all available to the visitors.
Followed by light lunch in winery to appreciate the sparkling wine made using the Altalanga classic method: the elevated temperature difference between night/day of the area and the sea wind which blows from the nearby Liguria help bring out the excellent aromas of the wines and to produce outstanding wines. Discover the dry walls for the building of terraces to make the backs of the steeper and more sun-kissed hills useable: an ancient tradition handed down through the generations and intangible heritage of humanity for the use of local materials such as the stone of Langa but above all for the hydrogeological strength of the soils and, by no means less important, for the cradle of biodiversity which drywalls guarantee.
In the afternoon, head towards Saliceto to visit the Church of S. Martino in Lignera San Martino. It is a medieval chapel situated in the village of Lignera, a hamlet of Saliceto, built in 1100 by the Benedictine Monks in sandstone, with a square floor plan and gabled façade. The church features frescoes on the walls of the presbytery and apse. The richness of the details, the abundance of figures and the extraordinary colour games all contribute to making this church a small artistic gem.
At the end of the route, the stop-off point is Sala San Giovanni, the village of medicinal herbs and lavender, which transforms the hills into a blue/purple sea between mid-June and mid-July. Herbalist workshop and visit to the meadows in bloom and to the Prandi Arboretum. The existence of this special arboretum is thanks to the work of railway man Mr. Carlo Domenico Prandi, who had a strong passion for botany which he applied to his family’s farm from the early 1900s. He introduced innovative farming practices such as the heated greenhouse in which he acclimatised and reproduced various exotic plants coming from various countries, and above all the fertigation used to enrich the poor and clayey soil characteristic of the area. On booking, it is possible to visit the Chapel of Sant’ Anastasia and the ancient Baptismal Church of S. Giovanni Battista, now cemetery church. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Bardineto

Day 5

Tip: have you ever modulated your voice inside a cave to hear the effect it makes? Experience the sounds from the depths of the earth and sea.

Descend towards the sea to visit the caves of Toirano. Leave the sunlight behind and enter tunnels, caverns and underground chambers to search for testimonies left by man and animals who entered these caves more than 10,000 years ago. The exceptional beauty of a natural environment merges with extraordinary archaeological importance thanks to the staggering number of prehistoric settlements which have been found here.
Lunch at leisure.
To finish, in season, we suggest a tour of the Gallinara Island, starting from Alassio. The largest island of Liguria is a natural protected area due to the presence of migratory birds and cetaceans such as whales and dolphins. Tour of the island by boat with stops along the perimeter for a refreshing swim or for snorkelling in the clear waters. Afternoon snack with local focaccia included!