Casa Pietra
Food and drink
The local area boasts excellent vineyards, fine restaurants, bars and cafes within easy reach, serving traditional and local delicacies, such as truffles, D.O.P. cheeses and D.O.C. wines, not forgetting other specialities , such as hazlenut cake and Passito wines. Roccaverano cheeses are a much-prized local speciality and can be bought in the shops in Bubbio. And of course, Italian ice-cream is a must.
Thermal Baths
Acqui Terme - only 15 minutes by car - has a thermal baths centre with a wide range of health and beauty treatments and a spectacular, newly refurbished outdoor swimming pool.
Markets
All the villages and towns have markets and it's possible to visit a different one every day if you have the stamina. Asti has the largest, offering everything from shoes and handbags, to power tools and ladders. Acqui Terme market is also substantial.
Tuesday: Acqui Terme.
Wednesday: Canelli, Bistagno, Asti
Thursday: Monastero Bormida
Friday: Acqui Terme
Saturday: Asti
Sunday: Bubbio
Culture and festivals
The area is home to many festivals and events throughout the year - every community has at least own day when they celebrate a local custom, tradition or product like wine or polenta. Bubbio does not miss out, putting on various manifestazioni including a polenta festival on the first Sunday after Easter, a mushroom and truffle fair and an organic wine tasting.
We've lost count of the number of festivals that take place here,
but you can find out more from the town's website.
The larger towns have major cultural events, such as the Palio and Douja d'Oro in Asti.
Beach
The Italian Riviera is just over an hour's drive away - choose from numerous lovely beaches.
Mountains
The Italian Alps are a 90 minute drive away, but for more modest hiking, the Appenines are only 30 minutes from the house.
Cycling
Cycling is very popular in Italy and Bubbio and the Piemonte is no exception. Small groups of cyclists are often seen on the well-surfaced roads and the scenery is beautiful, with hills from about 300 to 500 metres. Depending on fitness, it's possible to cycle to the coast and back, taking in the terrain experienced in the famous Milan San Remo race. If all energy has been expended on the 'downhill' leg, there are trains from Genoa and Savona to bring you back!
Walking
There are numerous options for hikers in the surrounding hills and countryside and we have maps showing the best ones.
Horse riding
Available locally.
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