Day 1

Arrive to Bistagno by train.
With bike in tow (possibility to rent e-bike on arrival). Depart for Monastero Bormida: visit the picturesque medieval village which developed around the castle along the Bormida river.
To reach the centre cross the picturesque Romanesque bridge in stone, a leap back in time. Before leaving, take a souvenir photo on the Big Bench of the Heart.
Arrive in Bubbio, a small village which has maintained its urban characteristics unchanged, with the main road, the large square and the castle.
Stop off in a famous winery, one of the top producers of organic wines: the first certified wine from organic grapes in Italy was produced here in 1992. The visit starts with a walk among the moscato vineyards and where the Vignette in Vigna, satirical drawings on the vine and grapes made by the designer from Savona Roby Giannotti, are on display. At the end, visit the Wine Museum and wine tasting in winery accompanied by local products. Return to Bistagno and visit the Giulio Monteverde Plaster Cast Gallery: the works document the important stages of his artistic career and allow visitors to rediscover the works of one of the most important sculptors of the Italian 19th century. Don't miss out on the plaster cast of the Angel of the Resurrection or Angel of the Oneto Tomb, whose statue decorates one of the most famous monumental tombs of the Cemetery of Staglieno.
Dinner in hotel in Bistagno and overnight accommodation.

Day 2

The itinerary to discover the Bormida Valley continues with a picturesque route towards Ponti, Mombaldone and Denice as far as Spigno crossing vineyard covered hills and picturesque gorges of the area.
In Ponti, stop off at an award-winning farm to discover Roccaverano DOP, soft paste cheese made from raw goat’s milk according to a very rigid
production specification.
Along the way, visit Mombaldone, an ancient village perfectly preserved with its stone houses, one main road onto which face medieval buildings and a fortress. On towards Denice, one of the better-preserved villages of Upper Monferrato, in a circular shape and topped by the 12th century tower built by the Carretto family. From its heights, it dominates the Bormida Valley of Spigno with the magnificent natural beauty of the gorges.
Stop for lunch in a restaurant with scenic terrace. After lunch, head towards Spigno: don't miss out on the Abbey of San Quintino, founded by the son of the Marquis Aleramo and the medieval humpback bridge of San Rocco with
pebble paving.
Free time to relax in the swimming pool at the agriturismo specialised in the growing of saffron and lavender. Dinner and overnight accommodation in the agriturismo.

Day 3

The itinerary continues towards Millesimo passing through Merana and Cairo Montenotte. Merana is the last municipality of Piedmont before entering Liguria: stop at the Tower of San Fermo, from the top enjoy a global view of the Bormida Valley of Spigno travelled by the Roman Via Aemilia-Scauri (if you transit between June and July the surrounding hills are a triumph of Lavender). Souvenir photo on the Big Bench at the foot of the tower. Before leaving, stop off to taste the fried ravioli al plin by Merana served in a paper cone, a real treat.
The itinerary continues, following the route of the River Bormida to Cairo Montenotte: free time to walk in the historic centre with the remains of the medieval boundary walls with the Porta Soprana and the Porta Sottana or visit the Castle of Carretto. Don't miss out on the Ferrania Film Museum in Palazzo Scarampi, museum of industrial culture which retraces the history of the FILM/Ferrania/3M company, a giant of photography and cinema film used by the great masters of Italian cinema such as Pasolini and De Sica
Arrive to Millesimo, dinner and overnight accommodation in relais.

Day 4

Choose among a multitude of activities for the day: in the footsteps of the Templars in Saliceto, with its castle shrouded in mystery or Lake Osiglia surrounded by monumental chestnut trees with relaxation time on its banks or angling, canoeing or kayaking, or a hike to Calizzano with its Castle and the Beech forest of Barbottina, one of the most beautiful in Italy in terms of size.
Dinner and overnight accommodation in Millesimo

Day 5

After breakfast - a short route as far as the Adelasia Regional Nature Reserve, a private protected area of the Bormida Valley, includes a territory of approximately 500 hectares of special botanic and wildlife interest, as well as historical (from the medieval to the Napoleonic age). Inside, itineraries of every level of difficulty and length. At the end, return to San Giuseppe di Cairo to catch the train back to Bistagno/Acqui/Alessandria or continue for Savona.

Possibility to extend stay with additional nights in Calizzano /Osiglia/Cairo to continue the discovery of the Bormida Valley between nature and the Gothic Way, or in Acqui Terme and Alessandria, or in the province of Savona for a beach holiday.