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Zone Bleue. Blue parking disc

Ski fields and mountains

Barolo, marketing power.

Some European countries, e.g. France and Italy, have what is called "blue zone" parking. You need to have one of these blue discs.

Through Torre Mondovi, right up the valley, at Corsagliola to Frabosa. Up valley turn right to bridge to Frabosa. Frabosa. 2 ski lifts, Frabolandia connects to Prata Nevosa. Excellent Ristorante Rododendro through town and up valley. Great outlook and food. Down to Frabosa Sottana then up the valley, turn off to Prata Nevosa, all season skiing and very well organised. Return down thru Villanova Mondovi.

Barolo is a fascinating insight into the power of marketing. Barolo DOCG wine is in our opinion the same as the Nebiolo variety in the surrounding DOC areas. However due to their successful marketing Barolo wines cost 5 to 10 times as much. Approaching Barolo you can see instantly where the official Barolo 'origine controllata' starts, as vineyards go from scattered to wall to wall solid vines everywhere. The returns are huge for the Barolo growers, they get from 30 to 140 euros per bottle of wine from the Barolo DOCG area, compared with a similar Nebiolo wine from the Langhe DOC area which costs only 6 to 15. Wine we get in Italy is DOCG or DOC which means the area the grapes are grown (denominazione di origine) is controlled, as is the production method which is controlled to traditional methods. Totally different from say Aus or USA where the wine is manufactured in huge factories with an anything goes attitude to chemicals and additives etc. A pleasant drive past Bastia Mondovi up to Barolo and back via Dogliana. On the way there is a good restaurant, 'Osteria Veglio' at La Morra, Annunziata, expensive 80+ euros for two, but was good a couple of years ago. Near Barolo. Or L'Argaj, Castiglione Falletto also 80ish.

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Zone bleue, marked by signs and/or blue stripes on street surface, is free but limited-time parking. Vehicles must display a blue parking disc noting time of arrival. After the free time, the vehicle must be removed or be subjected to a fine. (Twirl disc until time of your arrival is below the arrow.) The blue paper discs are sold in tabacs, other small shops, we have seen them in supermarkets and in tourist offices.

Hill ridge drive

Pass through Torre Mondovi and up the hill to village of Roatta. Pleasant drive along the ridge top roads. Trattoria Bar Da Franca has great views. Meals used to be OK but the last time we went price had been doubled. Proceed to Pamparato. We have been told the Bar Le Mura di Malapaga has good food and prices. Through town and up the hill to San Giacomo di Roburent. Ski field on way at Monte Aipet and Cardini. Return through Montaldo di Mondovi.

St Gree and 1970's resort & ancient tower

Head for Mombasiblio and follow up through forest through Lisio and Viola. Pizza restaurant in Viola (not tried). On to the St. Gree ski field. This town is full of 1970's holiday apartments which are now largely abandoned. Remarkable how the solid buildings are left to deteriorate. Proceed to Pamporato and down the valley, turn right up to Monasterolo C. Up the hill there is Cimitero di Monasterolo Casotto on the right, opposite on left is parking overlooking an ancient guard tower well worth a visit. Continue through Monasterolo Casotto then San Paolo (good cakes in the shop), and home.

Incredible paintings Chiesa di San Fiorenzo

Through Niella Tanaro then just before Bastia Mondovi. Church on right with truly amazing paintings. See what to expect in hell ! Check that it is open. Return via Mondovicino Outlet Village for fashion stuff.

More trips coming