THINGS TO DO

Throughout the year, the Monferrato calendar is full of interesting and entertaining possibilities.
Gastronomic and wine events: like the many Truffle Fairs in the fall, and summer “Sagre” (when the villages show off their culinary specialties), international and regional wine exhibitions, and “Cantine Aperti”—days when hundreds of wine cellars welcome guests.
Cultural events: :Big and small music concerts: jazz, rock, classical ,celtic and local singers like Paolo Conte; lyric opera, important art shows, literary and theatrical performances, and an international level dance festival.” Castelli Aperti”- days when local castles welcome guests ..and dozens of village festivals celebrating patron saints and ancient traditions.
The Grand Palio of Asti—first run in 1275, this traditional horse race (older than Siena’s Palio) is held on the third Sunday of September.The leading procession of 1000 carefully costumed participants is a sight you will not forget. There are also the more lighthearted donkey Palios of Alba, Cocconato,and Aramengo (see Helpful Links for events calendars)

And, of course, the 2006 Winter Olympics will be held in nearby Turin.
PLAY: Within a 10 km. radius of either house: pools, tennis, horseback riding, bowling, billiards and a children’s play structure (Play Planet); For strolling or hiking there are no end of trails nearby, and within an hour’s drive towards the Alps, more serious trekking opportunities. Skiing: downhill and crosscountry runs are availabe to the north … Sestriere, Bardonecchia, Mont Blanc ,etc. or, west toward Cuneo. Bike rentals are available-most roads are steep and challenging, but there are some gentler slopes to be found. Golf courses: 9 and 18 holes.
Sport watching: European football (soccer)-AC Turin and Juventus are the professional home teams for which there are matches and practise in Turin. Local football(soccer), calcetto, tamburello, bocce,pallone matches in most towns.

RELAX: In the hammock or rocker surrounded by peace and quiet—or at a spa in the
ancient Roman town of Aqui Terme (20km) where you can enjoy thermal
springs, saunas and many therapies

LEARN: Introductions may be arranged for guided tours ( in English,French, German, and Swedish) and lessons in regional cooking ,ultralight flying, truffle hunting, wine tasting, at prices to be agreed upon between the parties..
SHOP: There are no malls in the Monferrato. No 24hr. pharmacies. No “convenience stores”. . Shopping, like most everything in the Monferrato life, is done slowly and with attention to quality. Housewives go to the market every day for sun ripened fruits, field grown vegetables, and warm crusty breads.

Shopping along the “high” streets, it is possible to find everything from high tech gadgets and Italian design housewares to antique prints and estate jewelry. Nearby Valenza is a famed center for gold and silversmithing; Biella, for fine tailoring, and of course the famous” Borsalino” hats, which are crafted in Alessandria. Milan’s Via Montenapoleone, and Turin’s Via Roma are brimming with international high fashion. There is no “Starbucks”, here… but ,real Italian cafes invite you to relax between shops, sip your cappucino, and watch the passing “show”.