City Tour of Biella – Oct. 30 – euro 25.
15.00 approx. Meet with the tour guide in Biella, near the Zumaglini Gardens.
The morning will be dedicated to discovering the historic center of what in the 19th century was called the “Manchester of Italy” and since 2019 has been recognized as a Unesco Creative City.
After a walk along the main street we will reach the diocesan complex with the Baptistery and Bell Tower from the Romanesque period and the Cathedral, completely frescoed in the Neo-Gothic period. We will be able to visit the interior of the baptismal building and admire the remains of the ancient cathedral, which preserve precious frescoes from the mid-15th century.
Thanks to an inclined elevator that replaces the 19th-century funicular, we will then arrive in the upper town, where we can still breathe in the air of the ancient medieval Borgo del Piazzo, with its arcades, stores and historic buildings. Crossing the threshold of Palazzo La Marmora, a splendid 16th-century historic mansion, we will walk through the frescoed halls of 500 years of family histories and enjoy from the panoramic terrace of the Renaissance-era garden an unforgettable view of the lower town.
At the end, walking down one of the (steep) medieval streets still cobbled we will be able to return to the pedestrian center and reach the public gardens.
Transfer by own vehicle to Oropa, for lunch stop at a local restaurant, with tasting menu, drinks not included.
Afternoon possibility of guided tour of the Sanctuary.
NB: the ascent by funicular is free, it will be necessary to assess with covid regulations how many people can enter at once.
The cobbled streets leading to Piazzo are quite steep, comfortable, low shoes are necessary.
Foliage Oasi Zegna – Oct. 31 – euro 48 with lunch
Around 09.30 am meet in Trivero, in front of the Albergo Ristorante Il Castagneto, from here, we will set off for a walk in the woods surrounding the Sanctuary Madonna della Brughiera. An area particularly rich in chestnut trees that in autumn make the landscape unforgettable, with shades that touch yellow, orange, red, up to brown. At the end of the walk, you can visit the Sanctuary, an important place of Marian worship and pilgrimage destination, there are two churches: the major one, dating back to 1600, which houses inside the Nativity of the Cremasque painter Gian Giacomo Barbelli and a wooden pulpit created in Valsesia, while the second church is smaller, its origins, are in the 16th century period.
At the end of this itinerary, tasting lunch at the agriturismo il Faggio (drinks not included).
Recommended clothing: comfortable with hiking boots.
Foliage in Burcina Park – October 31 afternoon and November 1 morning – euro 19
Free on November 1 for Trail Monte Casto members staying 2 nights (reservations required).
In the afternoon around 3 p.m. (9:30 a.m. on Nov. 1) we will make a short drive to Pollone, a very pleasant mountain village. Here we will take a walk inside the Special Natural Reserve Burcina Park “Felice Piacenza,” a historic garden created from the mid-19th century, thanks to the Piacenza family, which transformed the hill into a splendid park, rich in different varieties of plants, where the rhododendrons in bloom between May/early June stand out, the autumn period, reserve unforgettable colors and landscapes.
The route will be along dirt roads and trails. Hiking shoes, long pants, a water bottle are required.
Layered clothing is recommended with long pants, a sweater, wind and rain jacket, to be adjusted according to the season.The route is hiking type, mainly on dirt roads, poles are recommended.
Return to cars around 5:30/18 p.m. (12/12:30 p.m. on Nov. 1)
The itinerary may be subject to change, at the sole and unquestionable judgment of the Guide.
Itinerary suitable for everyone
Visit to the Castle of Castellengo and wine tasting -1 November – euro 30.00
Free on November 1 for Trail Monte Casto members staying 2 nights (reservations required).
Around 3:30 p.m. arrival at the Castle of Castellengo, where we will have a tasting of some typical products, also sipping some of the wines produced by the Centovigne farm.
It will be possible to visit the winery’s cellars and the historic rooms of the castle, which stands perched on a hill overlooking the surrounding plain.
Itinerary suitable for Everyone
