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Los tours de comida son especialmente atractivos en Italia, una tierra de maravillas culinarias. La compañía Tourissimo ofrece a los turistas una auténtica experiencia culinaria italiana, con un servicio al cliente de primera clase. Su aventura de lujo llamada «Chef Bike Tour», lleva a los ciclistas al corazón de una de las regiones gastronómicas más prestigiosas de Italia: Piamonte.

La llamada gira “Slow Food Tour of Piedmont”, que suele partir a principios de octubre, contó en 2018 con la participación del chef Benjamin Cohn,, del Westside Tavern en Los Ángeles, y el chef Mark Meyer, de Cookshop, Rosie’s y Suka en la ciudad de Nueva York, por nombrar algunos. Ambos aportaron una amplia experiencia y conocimiento a la mesa proverbial e incluso prepararon una cena especial para el grupo.

Heather Dowd, cofundadora de Tourissimo, describe a la pareja como «intérpretes de la comida» para los huéspedes, ya que les ofrecen una visión de cómo los alimentos que verán en su ruta terminan en un plato para ellos, más tarde esa noche.

Además, Beppe Salerno, el otro cofundador de Tourissimo y marido de Dowd, dirigió la gira de 2018. Al ser nativo de Piamonte, su conocimiento local brindó una visión distintiva de la región. Salerno, que comenzó en esta industria liderando los viajes en bicicleta, ya no suele liderar viajes, pero lo hizo para esa edición especial de la serie Chef Bike Tour. Dowd le dijo a azureazure que, «es importante para nosotros mostrar estas partes de Italia que tienen una cultura gastronómica tan asombrosa», y esperan destacar algunas de las áreas menos conocidas del país con cada ruta que planean.

En un país tan conocido por su cocina, Piamonte  se distingue por sus ricos sabores, las mundialmente famosas trufas blancas y los vinos finos.

Tourissimo’s groups are small and intimate, with no more than fourteen riders. This fall’s culinary adventure starts in the ancient city of Pollenzo, where guests will spend their first night in Albergo dell’Agenzia, a four-star hotel formerly part of King Carlo Alberto of Savoy’s royal estate.

The hotel’s complex is also home to the University of Gastronomic Sciences and Wine Bank, founded by internationally-recognized Slow Food Association. Riders will learn about “Slow Food,” and sample meals here.

Slow Food is a central concept to this edition of the Chef Bike Tour series. This movement began in 1986 as a reaction to the first McDonald’s opening its doors in Rome. Standing in direct opposition to a fast-food lifestyle, the guiding belief is that food should be fair, clean and good. While its roots in Italy run deep, Slow Food can be found in over 160 countries worldwide.

From Pollenzo, riders will take off to explore Piedmont, biking 140 miles across the scenic countryside, along vineyard-laden hills designated UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2014 for their beauty. The tour will pass through vineyards and towns, including Langa, Roero, La Morra, Barbaresco, and more, over the course of a week.

While biking 140 miles may seem like quite the task, Dowd assures that this is a perfectly “do-able” ride for any mildly active individual. Tourissimo additionally offers electric-assist attachments: while one still pedals, the assist will make each push count for more, making going uphill or keeping pace easier.

The company can also help arrange alternative transportation for those who need a day off two wheels. Transportation of luggage and gear is provided, and a support van will accompany the group at all times.

In addition to Albergo dell’Agenzia, guests will stay at Villa Contessa Rosa-Fontanafredda, an estate donated by King Victor Emmanuel II to Contessa Rosa of Mirafiore and Fontanafredda in the seventeenth century, and Villa d’Amelia in Benevello, a luxurious converted nineteenth century farmhouse set in seven acres of gardens, hazelnut trees and vineyards.

Guests will find themselves at Michelin-starred restaurants on at least three occasions: at Piazza Duomo in Alba, at DaMà in Villa d’Amelia, and at Da Guido in Barolo, a treat highlighting some of the region’s best foods. Described as an “epic culinary journey,” this last meal will be prepared by Chef Ugo Alciati, whose father started this restaurant that has left a permanent mark on Piedmont’s find cuisine. Every meal will be accompanied by a fine wine pairing.

Cooking school

The tour will also include hand-on cooking classes with Mamma Giovanna at Marrone Winery Estate, an authentic truffle hunting expedition with a real trifulau, and visits to world-renowned vineyards where guests can meet winemakers and experience the region’s culinary and wine culture first hand.

Moreover, October is harvest season in Piedmont, meaning that the region will be teeming with activity. Most notably, Alba’s truffle fair will be in full swing. The Palio d’Asini marks the beginning of this centuries-old tradition: all nine quarters of the city prepare for a medieval parade that takes over a thousand traditionally-dressed participants towards the arena of the Palio to watch a highly-anticipated, hotly-contested, madcap bareback donkey race.

More than tourism

Tourissimo can also help guests experience alternative or different experiences to what’s listed on the itinerary. Dowd tells azureazure that one of her favorite instances of this was during a Chef Bike Tour in Sicily last year.

Don and Julie Kagey were attending the Sicilian tour in hopes of getting acquainted with their family roots. Julie’s family was originally Burgio, a small town the route would pass near. She made several attempts to reach relatives to no avail, but decided to see the town her family was from regardless. She reached out to Tourissimo for help, who set-up an excursion.

After taking them on sightseeing stops, their guide, a local to the region, began asking around if anyone knew Julie’s family. A phone call and a few minutes later, she was able to meet several aunts and uncles for the first time.

While this Chef Bike Tour specializes in capturing the heart and imagination of foodies, Dowd says that’s only the beginning: what is so magnificent is the joy of riding in such a beautiful area. “The first time I cycled in Piedmont, what struck me the most was how beautiful this countryside was. The hilltop towns, the rolling hills, the vineyards. So, just for me, riding in Piedmont is special. Everything else is extra.”

She hopes that riders will experience her own joy of cycling in such a beautiful region.

Tourissimo has tours departing from May to October every year and can begin arranging private groups as early as March. The company specialized in creating custom trips—from extreme adventures to casual rides. Click here if you need more information. ■