A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME: ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR IN THE PROVINCE OF ALESSANDRIA

01 January 2025 - 31 December 2026
5 days - 4 nights

The province of Alessandria is rich in history, culture and evidence of its past. This archaeological tour will allow you to discover a unique heritage, which ranges from the Roman period to traces of the Celtic and Medieval populations, through a fascinating journey between historical sites, museums and artifacts which tell the roots of this land.
Among ancient settlements, necropoli, Roman bridges and extraordinary finds preserved in the local museums, you can immerse yourself in a past which still communicates with the present. There will also be stops along the way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area and to taste the typical products of a land which merges culture and tradition.
Are you ready to embark on an adventure and relive the thousand-year history of the province of Alessandria? Follow us and discover these hidden treasures.

day 1
Arrive in Libarna, in the municipality of Serravalle Scrivia: visit the archaeological area of Libarna, ancient roman town which was founded in the 2nd century B.C. along the via Postumia, the road which connected Genoa to Aquileia. What remains today is only a small part of the ancient town, which occupied a much larger surface area. The remains of two housing blocks built at the end of the 1st century B.C. and remodeled in the subsequent centuries are visible at the sides of the decumanus maximus. The flooring of the domus which occupies the upper corner of the block to the left of the entrance of the amphitheater is particularly interesting because it is formed by a large mosaic which represents the myth of Lycurgus. Other interesting elements are the amphitheater and the theater, both built around the 1st century A.D. and, according to volumetric calculations, it could hold 7000 and 3800 spectators respectively.

Followed by visit to the Museum Area of the Town Hall of Serravalle Scrivia: the Area is home to a selection of remains of the decorative ornamentation of buildings of Libarna, coming from a 19th century private collection. There are fragments of capitals, cornices, friezes, epigraphs of the writer Catius Martialis (2nd century A.D.), part of a marble slab with the embossed heads of Pan and Gorgon.
Lunch at Le Dolci Terre inside the Serravalle Designer Outlet, unmissable gourmet point to discover the local food and wine.

Short transfer to Vho, one of the most beautiful villages of Italy / walk and the "sea" of Vho. Visit and tasting in winery to discover Derthona Timorasso DOC.
Lunch at leisure and overnight stay in the area of Tortona.

day 2
Day dedicated to the discovery of the ancient Roman town of Derthona, one of the most important junctions of the northwest: the Via Fulvia which led to Turin, the Via Postumia and a section of the Via Aemilia Scauri, which connected the Po Valley to the sea as far as Vada Sabatia (now Vado Ligure) all passed through here. During Roman times, it acquired the status of municipium and flourished thanks to its strategic position and the economic activities connected with agriculture and trade. The town was equipped with infrastructure typical of Roman towns, such as amphitheater, spas and aqueduct, of which visible traces remain. The urban fabric reflected the classical rectangular layout with the cardo (north-south oriented main street and the decumanus (east-west oriented main street),
Tortona preserves numerous remains of its Roman period, many are held in the Archaeological Museum of the town / MA-DE
Lunch at leisure
In the afternoon, visit MA-DE A journey through time among the wonders and secrets of the ancient Derthona, with tangible evidence of the events and historical importance of the town in the different eras.
Besides the already well-known sarcophagus of Publio Elio Sabino, the tombstone of the soldier Aurelius Veterano from Tortona, the funeral stele of the gens Latinia, an important headless statue of a man wearing a toga, two polychrome mosaics, entablature fragments with elegant friezes of metopes and triglyphs, capitals and the fragment of an arch.
Dinner in osteria of the centre and overnight stay.

day 3
After breakfast, transfer to Alessandria
Visit Palazzo Cuttica, the Civic Museum with the pre-Roman and Roman archaeological collection of Cesare Di Negro Carpani, followed by Palatium Vetus the "broletto" of the town which is home to the collection of Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria. The collection gathers works of local painters and sculptors that range from the late 18th century to the second half of the 20th century. The featured artists are Pellizza da Volpedo, Morbelli, Barabino, Bistolfi, Carrà, Morando. The museum exhibition in the 'ice house' of Palatium Vetus preserves the finds emerged during the works carried out inside the palazzo: enjoy an extraordinary journey through history thanks to the Roman epigraph of Calpurnia, which originated from Villa del Foro, restored thanks to Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio of Alessandria and presented here in the courtyard.
Lunch in osteria in the center with tasting of "rabaton", a traditional dish of the area.

In the afternoon, transfer to Acqui Terme. The name of the modern town recalls the Latin one of the past Aquae Statiellae, the municipium founded by the Romans in the territory of the Ligurian Statielli. This indigenous tribe was definitively defeated by the Console Marco Popilio Lenate in 173 B.C. with the birth of the new town around the hot water springs, which immediately became the characterizing feature of the new center and main reason for its popularity. Archaeological research has returned the image of a monumental town, with a forum (via Cavour/piazza Addolorata) spa centres (piazza Bollente and corso Bagni), a theater (Via Scatilazzi), an amphitheater (via Monteverde), artisan workshops (via Cassino) and the imposing aqueduct which crossed the River Bormida.
Aperitivo at the Regional Wine Store Terme e Vino
Dinner at leisure and overnight stay in the area of Acqui Terme.

day 4
Visit the Archaeological Museum. The exhibition is divided into three sections (dedicated to the prehistoric and protohistoric age, the roman era and the late-antiquity and medieval period) with a visitor's route that comprises six rooms. The considerable number of artifacts are of great historical and archaeological interest and significant evidence of continuous human presence in the territory of Acqui, providing a comprehensive view of the population of the town, from the earliest antiquity to the dawning of the modern age.
Lunch at leisure.


In the afternoon, visit the Giulio Monteverde plaster cast gallery where the works on display reveal the important stages of the artistic activity of one of the most important Italian sculptors of the nineteenth century who was born here. Followed by visit to farm which produces Roccaverano DOP, and dinner in the agriturismo. Return to Acqui Terme for overnight stay.

day 5
After breakfast, visit Cassine and the Church of San Francesco, one of the most important Gothic buildings of the area. Possibility of walk-trekking: depart from the magnificent piazza of Cassine, follow the trails of the medieval pilgrims to the village of Castelnuovo Bormida with its castle by the river, along the straight Via Aemilia to Sezzadio with the small medieval Church of Santa Maria del Banno. The walk ends on the road of the Abbey of Santa Giustina, the birthplace of Aleramo who founded Monferrato.
Lunch at leisure and end of services.

Alternatively, it is possible to visit a company specializing in beekeeping with the possibility to experience bee sounds & bee wellness or enjoy a picnic in a vineyard.

The stops along the tour can be inverted or changed based on the opening times of the museums/archaeological sites.

Enjoy an extra experience at the Museum of Acqui Terme or at the Libarna site: in addition to the guided tour, take a fascinating journey through history with a qualified archaeologist! Recommended for small groups (max 10/12 people), prices available on request.

Holiday formula:
Individuals, Groups, Families

Guided tour:
No, on request (with supplement)

TECHNICAL ORGANIZATION
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY AND GUARANTEE FUND
Monferrato Travel by Monferrato To Taste srls VAT No. 03936680044
Via Genova 128 Spinetta Marengo 15122 Alessandria