A unique tour from Barolo: see The Langhe by Tuk Tuk
This cute little “tuk tuk” in Italian is called an “Ape”, pronounced “ahh-pe”, which means bee!
They’re traditionally used by farmers but in recent times they’ve been popping up beautifully converted into a kind of tourist taxi.
This particular one is available for a tour from Barolo in Piemonte. But you’ll find them throughout Italy!
My sister and her boyfriend were here recently. I asked them via text “do you guys want to ride an Ape?!”.. you can imagine their confusion to this idea of me (massive animal lover) suggesting this animal cruelty!
After the miscommunication was cleared up, they decided that of course they wanted to do this Tuk Tuk tour through the Langhe.
What a beautiful experience it was! Our driver, Stefano, also a winemaker, provided a picnic and bottle of his wine at the viewpoint between Barolo and La Morra.
We then continued up to La Morra but first, Stefano turned on the speaker! Of course, I requested my current favourite old-time singer, Lucio Battisti and we rolled into town with “la canzone del sole” playing loudly through the speakers! What a site we were.. these three Aussies, one singing along to an Italian 70’s classic as we sipped wine with the sun falling on us! Everyone we passed turned to look, laughing along with us or taking photos of their own! My almost-brother-in-law said “if I had some flyers I think Stefano would be booked out solid for the week, and rightly so!”.
Despite living here, and technically “working” during this tour to capture these photos for Ashlee and Tom, Stefano created an experience that had me feeling like a tourist again and seeing Italy that way too.
And like all tourists, I ensured we took a moment for some selfies too!
Ash and Tom didn’t hold back during this three-week trip to Italy. They wined and dined at some of the best restaurants on Lake Como, in Tuscany and Rome- plus of course, we took them to our local, Trattoria Marsupino. They viewed Piemonte from above during a hot air balloon experience, we hired a boat for a day on the Italian Riviera to view Cinque Terre from the water, we took the ferry to Isola d’Elba in search of a quieter beach and then they continued down the coast to Giglio, Saturnia and finishing off in Rome. And after all of that when I asked them their favourite experience in Italy- without a second thought they both replied “the Ape ride” and giggled as we all pictured ourselves riding a monkey!
If you’re looking for a different way to enjoy the Langhe, Stefano has room for three passengers (or four if two are small children). The tour lasts for 3 hours and will show you all the best spots! You can also organise directly with Stefano a custom tour- pick up from your hotel, stops for lunch of winery visits- all can be arranged!
He doesn’t speak English but please, don’t let that put you off. It’s really unnecessary as during booking there’s always Google translate, and then communication via sign language on the day only adds to the enjoyment!
P.S. I do not receive any commission for this blog post I just wanted to share our great experience with you all!