LAVENDER EXPERIENCE

01/01/2024 - 31/07/2025
Castelletto d'Erro


Description

The beginning of summer is a magical moment to travel around Piedmont: walking among the rows of lavender in bloom in a tripude of blue/violet colours soaking up the perfume of this medicinal herb is a unique and fascinating experience.
The blooming depends on the climate conditions but the best period tends to be from mid June to late July. The glimpse and the landscape will be perfect for your photo shoots and the itineraries will allow you to discover the most authentic land.


4 routes to choose from to discover lavender in Piedmont

- Lavender in Valle Bormida and South Monferrato
The journey begins in Castelletto d'Erro: from the very small village and in particular from the Square Tower or from St.Anne's Church the visitor can enjoy an enchanting view of the hills in bloom with the Monviso and Ligurian Apennine in the background. Visit the company to discover the processing of lavender, its distillation to obtain essential oils and perfumed water for cosmetic use.
The itinerary continues to Spigno Monferrato on the borders with Liguria: do not miss out on the medieval bridge of San Rocco with five arches cobble stones, important junction of passage of the valley towards the Via Aemilia Scauri and the Abbey of Saint Quintino, founded by the son of Aleramo first Marquis of Monferrato.
To follow, in the immediate vicinity, lunch in agriturismo specialised in growing organic medicinal herbs and saffron.
After lunch, short transfer among the picturesque ravines of Valle Bormida and stop in Mombaldone for a walk in the medieval village.
To conclude the day, in Ponti stop in a farm where you will discover the Roccaverano DOP, soft paste cheese 100% made of goat milk, multi-award winner and true specialty of the area.
Aperitivo in the agriturismo with tasting of cheeses and cured meats produced on site.

- Lavender in North Monferrato
The itinerary starts in Quargnento where the hills are home to the most extensive cultivation of the area. Here lavender is transformed into essential oil (2 kg of lavender, equal to five metre squared of crop, are needed to produce a small 10 ml bottle of essential oil) with extraction in steam current, and in part dried, collected in bunches to be manually husked and closed in bags packaged by hand with refined fabrics to better enhance the perfume. In the equipped gazebo it will be possible to purchase cosmetic products and taste an incredible lavender flavoured ice cream thanks also to the production of edible lavender of the company. To follow, short transfer to Fubine for lunch in trattoria with the typical menu of the Monferrato tradition. Before saying goodbye, visit the private Infernot of the business, beautiful example of the typical underground cavities of the area, UNESCO heritage site. Possible guided tour of the municipal infernots of Fubine. The journey in search of the blue lavender fields continues to Cuccaro with stop at the big bench number 99: painted violet and surrounded by the lavender fields it will allow you to admire the surrounding hilly landscape and take magnificent souvenir photos, above all at sunset.
To conclude the itinerary, visit and tasting in a well-known winery to discover the typical wines of the area.


-Lavender in Val Borbera and Tortona
The itinerary departs from Val Borbera: the valley set among the four regions, is an enchanting and uncontaminated area of extraordinary natural beauty.
Departure from the spectacular Strette di Pertuso, a river gorge of extraordinary natural value of the Borbera torrent, a canyon between the steep slopes and the emerald waters with breakfast in the equipped area of Boscopiano.
Continue towards Vendersi, the town of Scarecrows. The brilliant work of several inhabitants of this village has led to the appearance of these mannequins made from recycled materials and accessories, creating a joyful and magical atmosphere. There are more than 70 scarecrows located in the village and each of them has a name and a story inspired by the people who used to live here. At the top of the village, a perfumed lavender field made even more fascinating by the natural context in which it is inserted. Possibility to purchase soaps and products obtained from the lavender grown here.
To follow, a short journey to the Castle of Borgo Adorno: at the foot of Monte Giarolo in a strategic position on the uncontaminated Val Borbera it dominates from above and controls the ancient connection route between the same valley and the neighbouring Val Curone in the direction of Tortona.
Lunch in agriturismo on a panoramic terrace. After lunch, passing by Dernice, you reach the medieval village of Garbagna, one of the most beautiful villages of Italy and famous for the beautiful cherry of Garbagna Slow Food presidium. Walk through the village and possibility to purchase other specialties of the area such as the salame nobile del Giarolo. The itinerary continues crossing the hills of Valle Grue to Viguzzolo, to the gates of the ancient Roman City of Tortona. Don’t miss out on the Church of Santa Maria dating to the year 1000, the spectacular lavender fields grown by an expert gardener.
And to finish our day stop in the wine shop of Tortona for an aperitivo with a glass of Derthona Timorasso Colli Tortonesi Doc, the main grape variety of
the area.



- Lavender in Pinerolo
On a summer day, the stay in Piedmont takes a “perfumed” turn. Pinerolo, a short distance from Turin but also from Cuneo, becomes a territory to discover with a picturesque landscape of unmistakable lavender color. It is possible to meet with an expert guide at the agriturismo in a land rich in culture and events which enliven the surrounding landscapes, characterized by the beautiful Alps and by hills with cultivated fields. Here, the traditions of medicinal herbs, with their precious green soul for well-being and a sustainable future, will be the start of a complete sensory route through this magnificent flower among the rows where, with blindfolded games and using touch and then through a panel of perfumes and smells, we will test our smell and the tastes of the lavender based products such as pasta and fragrant biscuits. To follow, a convivial lunch to enjoy the Piedmont specialties typical of the area accompanied by local wines.


- Lavender in Sale S. Giovanni
For many years, before the cultivation of lavender spread to many areas of Piedmont, this small village was known as the little Provence. The cultivation stemmed from the need to discover crops suited to the land of this area of alta langa. Sale San Giovanni has become famous for the production of medicinal herbs. Crops are mainly used to produce essential oils for cosmetics and aromatherapy. The roads to access the fields in June and July can only be reached on foot or by bike.
What could be more spectacular than walking in blue? We suggest the 2.5 km green route followed by medicinal herb workshop at Arboreto Prandi.

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