Accommodation in this Area

At a Glance

Area Description

Piedmont is one of the 20 Regions of Italy; occupying a large area that borders on France and Switzerland, Piedmont is the ancient dominion of the Savoys. Piedmont is a food lover's paradise and a world unto itself. Perhaps it was the thick fogs that often shroud its world-class vineyards - even giving their name, nebbiolo, to the region's premier grape - that cut it off from the rest of the peninsula. Piedmont is surrounded on three sides by the magnificent Alps, including the Monviso (Mont Vis), where the Po rises, and the Monte Rosa. There are 56 different national or regional parks and to add to this, the region's hopelessly picturesque lakes and hills (of which there are far more per square mile than in Tuscany!).

Piedmont has many visitors throughout the year, they come to sip the famous wines, nibble cheeses, savor its stupendous meat dishes and most importantly they come to taste its truffles. In the autumn, every small town in the region has a truffle, wild mushroom and/or wine festival, and its then you will taste some of the finest on offer. Not only experiencing this fabulous food but also seeing local life unchanged throughout the years.

Apart from the amazing food and wine, why not spend a few romantic days on Lake Maggiore or teensy Lake Orta? Visit Sacro Monte, a very unique local invention that offers you the chance to stroll among a dozen or so miniature chapels in an idyllic setting. Or, tour an authentic medieval castle - the region has some of the country's most dramatic fortresses. Turin, a stately 19th century city is the capital of Piedmont and is worth spending a couple of days in, it is virtually free of tourists, except for the aficionados who come to see Europe's best Egyptian Museum, the Automotive Museum or the Savoys' Royal Palace. The Holy Shroud also abides in Turin and is periodically on display for believers and skeptics alike.

Langhe is a hilly area to the south and west of the river Tanaro, it is famous for its wines and for its truffles—particularly the white truffles of Alba. The hills of the Langhe district south of Alba sketch out a helter-skelter route, uphill, downhill, and round the bends that form the boundaries of Piedmont's finest vineyards. This is the kingdom of Barolo: wine of kings, king of wines. Other famous wines include; Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbaresco and Barbare, there are plenty of wineries to visit and taste the different flavours of the same grapes! White truffle of Alba, there's a gastronomical exhibition every year for the whole month of October for truffle lovers, but not only the show, Restaurants with local recipes using this precious ingredient. Every year between mid June and the beginning of August there's an excellent Jazz Festival in Monforte. In Alba there's also an Alba Spring Music Festival in mid May to the beginning of June and a Summer Music Festival mid July to the beginning of August (www.albamusicfestival.com ).

The Italian Lakes, situated in the north-west of Italy, is an area of breathtaking beauty, with the enormity of the Alps sweeping down to the calm and tranquil shores of the lakes, encompassed by landscaped gardens and dotted with striking architecture and luxury villas. The most notable of the lakes to the north of Italy are Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda. Whilst visiting the Lake Maggiore area, a boat trip to the nearby islands should be high on the agenda. A real treat for garden lovers are the vast array of botanical gardens surrounding the grand villas in this area. The Borromean Islands; Isola Bella (‘Beautiful Island’), Isola Madre (‘Mother Island’) and Isola dei Pescatori (‘Isle of the Fisherman’) were vastly landscaped in the 17th-century to create stunning examples of ornate gardens dotted with romantic follies, statues and located in the grounds of vast and impressive villas, such as Palazzo Borromeo. The islands can be reached from the town of Stresa, where a cable car can be taken up Monte Mattarone offering breathtaking views. Fine examples of castles and churches can be found in this area, such as Castello Visconti d'Aragona and the church of San Sebastien in Lesa.

There are plenty of activities available in the area. Endless sightseeing opportunities, small villages, castles, chapels, museums and markets. Trekking and hiking through the scenic mountains and around the lakes, not to mention the national parks and hot air ballooning. Mountain biking for all levels or why not take a motor bike and view the area with no effort? Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the courses on offer. Whatever you are looking for, there is so much available in this attractive area.

Resorts In Luxury in association with Ski In Luxury