Piedmont, Land of Famous Names

Turin

 Long regarded as an austere city, the first capital of unified Italy and birthplace of FIAT and Juventus is putting on a new face. From the soft banks of the Po to Turin’s elegant arcades, from old cafés where time doing nothing is encouraged to discovering the history of the Dukes of Savoy at the Royal Palace, and from visiting the highest museum in the world inside the Mole Antonelliana tower that celebrates the history of Italian cinema to observing the eponymous Shroud in the Duomo San Giovanni, Turin is generous with its many many attractions. 

The Borromee Islands

Montesquieu described this family of 3 islands on Lake Maggiore as "the most beautiful place in the world". Named Borromees after the name of the family that has owned them since the 15th century, these lacustrine beauties also seduced Napoleon and Hemingway. Isola Bella with its extravagant palace, terraced gardens and Teatro Massimo; Isola Madre, with its Flaubert dubbed "terrestrial paradise" gardens; and the Isola dei Pescatori, the most relatable with its authentic streets and old fishermen’s houses.

Lake Orta

 This hidden gem of the Italian lakes is one of the most fascinating in the country. Travel through the lovely village of Orta San Giulio to the small island which shares its name. You will be able to enter the basilica founded by San Giulio around the year 390, after he drove away the dragons who used to live here! On the heights of the village, do not miss the Sacro Monte and its 20 chapels that tell the story of St. Francis of Assisi (Unesco).

At the Foot of the Mountains

Looking up into the Alps, Piedmont’s literal meaning ‘at the foot of the mountains’ is more than apt. Mountains cover nearly half of the region with peaks exceeding 4000m (Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso). The area is a paradise for skiers, hikers, climbers and thrill-seekers planning on some white-water rafting, hang-gliding or paragliding. But if that doesn’t appeal to you, the mountains have lots to offer those that prefer a little tranquillity, which you’ll find in generous amounts in Gran Paradiso and Val Grande national parks. 

Medieval Villages

The hills of Langhe and Roero, located in the centre of southern Piedmont, unfold their bucolic landscapes and vineyards dotted with medieval castles, towers, fortified villages and small hilltop villages. Among the highlights is the small town of Alba, capital of its namesakes delicate and tasty white truffle. Also, do not miss the Vezzolano Abbey, a testament to Piedmontese Romanesque-Gothic art.

Vini Famosi

Classified as Heritage of Humanity, the winegrowing landscapes of Langhe, Roero and Monferrat are also the cradle of prestigious Italian wines. This is the territory of the Nebbiolo, a grape variety, which gives birth to the most prestigious Italian wines such as Barbera, Monferrat, Moscato or Asti spumante. The viticultural tradition is so well anchored here that every year the Douja d’Or (Golden Jug) wine festival is celebrated in the 2nd and 3rd weeks of September in Asti.