Piedmont – Italy Travel Guide Where to Go in Piedmont Piedmont: Fast Facts Piedmont is the English name for the region – the Italian name is Piemonte, which is pronounced pee|eh|MON|teh. The capital of Piedmont is Turin (which is Torino – toh|REE|noh) – in Italian). There are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Piedmont – the residences of the Royal House of Savoy in and around Turin, and the Sacri Monti (nine 16th-17th century chapels and other religious buildings). Piedmont is bordered by the Italian regions of Aosta Valley, Lombardy, Liguria, and Emilia-Romagna, and it also shares borders with France and Switzerland. Famous people from the Piedmont region include Vittorio Emanuele II (the first King of a united Italy whose name appears on monuments and streets all over the country), Giovanni Agnelli (founder of the FIAT car company), Cesare Pavese (20th century writer), and Paolo Conte (singer and pianist). People from Piedmont are called piemontesi (plural). The singular version is piemontese.

Where to Stay in Piedmont Piedmont may be famous for its mountainous landscapes, beautiful lakes, and acres of vineyards, but just because many of your accommodation options may be away from big cities doesn’t mean they’re all rustic. In fact, some of the most high-end hotels and B&Bs in the region are in places like the towns surrounding Lake Maggiore. Agriturismo is popular in Piedmont, as many of the vineyards and other agricultural operations in the region have opened their doors to overnight visitors, and in the larger cities and towns you’ll also find the usual range of hotels and hostels. For longer stays, a vacation rental in the region is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the local bounty and try your hand at some of the famous Piedmont recipes. DOWNLOAD OUR TRAVEL GUIDES DOWNLOAD NOW One thing to keep in mind is that if you’re planning to stay at a more rural B&B or a vacation rental, or if the town where you’ve chosen your hotel or hostel doesn’t have a good-sized train station, you’re likely to need a car to get around.

Here are some links to articles about hotels and hostels in some of the cities in Piedmont: Agriturismo in Piedmont What to Do & See in Piedmont Even before the snow-capped mountains of the Italian Alps served as the gorgeous backdrop for the 2006 Winter Olympics, the ski resorts of Piedmont were well-known. They’re popular each winter season with Italians, other Europeans, and visitors from further afield. Summer travelers can still enjoy the resort areas, as hiking is a great way to see the region. Wine and food enthusiasts will have a fantastic time eating their way through the region, especially if they’re visiting during truffle season, wine harvest season, or Turin’s chocolate festival. Some of the best-known wines from Piedmont are also some of the best-known Italian wines – Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto – but there’s another food-related export from Piedmont that was once the favorite chocolatey discovery of teenagers traveling through Europe and is now available at grocery stores the world over.

Yes, I’m talking about Nutella – the chocolate-hazelnut flavor combination is called gianduia in Piedmont, but it’s become a household name throughout the rest of the world as Nutella. Piedmont has several attractions related to its one-time royal family, the House of Savoy, and its status as the original capital of Italy, including the Palazzo Reale and Castello del Valentino in Turin, the Palazzina di Caccia in Stupinigi, and the Palace in Venaria. Additionally, Turin houses one of the most venerated relics in the Catholic Church – the legendary Shroud of Turin. Also in Turin you’ll find perhaps the best museum of Egyptian artifacts anywhere outside Egypt, a great automobile museum (owing to the city being where FIAT started in 1899), and the National Cinema Museum atop Turin’s iconic Mole Antonelliana building. Incidentally, car lovers may want to make a beeline for the Lingotto area to get a look at the rooftop race track atop the former FIAT factory.

Here’s more information on a couple of the things to do and see in Piedmont: Turin’s Chocolate Festival, CioccolaTÒ Where to Go in Piedmont Turin is one of the cities that draws the most visitors to Piedmont, which makes sense since it’s the capital and home to a famous church relic (not to mention very easy to reach). But the mountains in Piedmont attract skiers and snow lovers by the thousands, and the beautiful Lago Maggiore is among the most touristed parts of northern Italy.

Here are a few of the cities and towns of Piedmont you might have on your list: Turin – Capital of Piedmont, Italy’s first capital, Shroud of Turin is in the cathedral, home to world-class Egyptian Museum & National Cinema Museum; read more in my Turin travel guide Alba – Home of Ferrero company (makers of Nutella), famous for truffles & wine, historic center ringed by ancient Roman walls Asti – Important town in Piedmont wine region, historic city contained by medieval walls, Palio di Asti is Italy’s oldest palio race Barolo – Very small town famous for its eponymous red wine Acqui Terme – City with hot sulphur baths frequented by ancient Romans Stresa – Popular tourist resort town on Lake Maggiore Verbania – Largest town on Lake Maggiore Lake Maggiore – Italy’s second-largest lake, part of the lake is in Switzerland’s Italian canton (Ticino); read more in my Italian Lakes guide Piedmont - Discover Italy Discover Italy Ai Weiwei at Palazzo Strozzi Florence hosts one of the giants of contemporary art Video Ponza: Unchanging Beauty On the Island of Ponza (the most important island in the Pontine Archipel

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Read more Faenza: the art of majolica The city of Faenza is very famous for one of the most ancient and sublime arts in the world: the art of ceramics, and, above all, for the special and... You are in Home / Discover Italy / Piedmont Piedmont Arona - Statue of San Carlo Borromeo Bardonecchia Novara - Architectural Complex of Broletto Verbania - Borromean Palace What to Taste Piedmont is in Italy's northwest and borders Switzerland and France. True to the meaning of its name (foot of the mountain), Piedmont is a land of mountains. It is surrounded on three sides by the Alps, with the highest peaks and largest glaciers in Italy. Monviso, the Piedmont side of Monte Rosa and the other spectacular mountains in the region, create incredibly beautiful landscapes, and ski resorts abound: Via Lattea and Sestriere welcome winter sports enthusiasts with their state-of-the-art facilities. The Alps form the background for sweeping, picturesque valleys, e.g. the Val di Susa , Valsesia and Val d'Ossola.

The landscapes of the Langhe and Monferrato are hilly, rather, but just as beautiful, a succession of cultivated hills and vineyards that are dotted with small towns and castles. Expanses of water and rice paddies, long rows of poplars and old farmhouses make up the typical scenery of the plains around Novara and Vercelli. Lake Maggiore is the most sought-after tourist resort, including Stresa and the Borromean Islands , charming as they are with their ancient villas surrounded by beautiful lawns and gardens. Yet, nature is only one of the many attractions in Piedmont. This region has many other facets: from Turin – the Italian car manufacturing capital – with its history and remarkable cultural heritage, to other cities such as Cherasco, Alba and Ivrea . Next up are the intriguing Medieval castles - like the imposing fortress at Ivrea - and prized works of architecture - the famous Residences of the Royal House of Savoy and the Sacri Monti (Sacred Mountains) certainly deserve to be mentioned. The famous spa resorts of Acqui Terme and Vinadio offer treatments and therapy for a relaxing, reviving holiday.

Discoveries and surprises of all kinds are in store for visitors to the region, including a wide range of food and wine to suit every palate. The region’s provinces are: Turin (regional capital), Alessandria , Asti , Biella , Cuneo , Novara , Verbano Cusio Ossola and Vercelli . The first stop in exploration of this region should be Turin, with its Egyptian Museum, one of the largest in the world; the Shroud of Turin, one of the most precious relics in Christianity; the famous Mole Antonelliana dominating the city skyline and housing the National Cinema Museum; and finally, the Automobile Museum. The Reggia di Venaria Palace is a splendid and extremely charming architectural structure, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the other Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. From the Royal Palace and Palazzo Carignano in Turin to the hunting lodge at Stupinigi, and from the Royal Castle at Racconigi to Turin’s Palazzo Madama, a visit to the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy takes place partly in Turin proper, and partly in the surrounding countryside.

The Sacri Monti (Sacred Mountains) are beautiful masterpieces of religious architecture spread all over the region's mountaintops: Varallo Sesia, Serralunga di Crea and Ponzano Monferrato, Orta San Giulio, Ghiffa and Domodossola. Other unmissable destinations are historical towns like Cherasco , “the town of star-shaped walls;” Savigliano, rich in monuments; Alba ; and Ivrea. The most famous abbeys are at Staffarda, an impressive example of Gothic architecture, and Novalesa, near Susa. The Sacra di San Michele is particularly important as well, a very ancient sanctuary whose religious aspects are in perfect harmony with both the architectonic and natural environments. The Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore is filled with famous resorts, such as Arona with its 17th-Century colossal statue of Saint Carlo, Stresa and the Borromean Islands , with accommodation facilities, villas and gardens. The ski resort of Sestriere - Via Lattea is one of the most important winter sports complexes in Europe.

Many reserves and nature reserves dot the region, for example the Gran Paradiso National Park with its glaciers, natural lakes and protected flora and fauna. Rich in natural resources and landscapes, Piedmont offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy sport, to unwind and to be entertained, mixing leisure and culture. Against the unique setting of the Alps, internationally renowned locations such as Sestriere , Val di Susa and others offer a wide range of slope categories suitable for all kinds of sporting activity: from steep downhill skiing to cross-country skiing and ice-skating to snowboarding. Meanwhile those who love the thrill of adventure can climb the rocky mountains or raft on rushing rivers. In summer, the mountains and valleys offer trekking routes at different levels of difficulty, including some tracts on the Via Alpina with paths and well-equipped mountain shelters, from Monviso to the mountains around Verbania . You can choose from many more outdoor activities: cycling along the River Po and around Vercelli ; mountain biking along the banks of the River Sesia; playing golf on one of the area’s various courses; and sailing, windsurfing and canoeing on the shores of Lake Maggiore .

Nature also offers other paths for discovering the local culture and other of the region's facets: in the Germanasca Valley, for example, visitors can take a guided tour through the talc mines that made the history of this valley, or take a spiritual trek through the magnificent protected areas of the Sacred Mountains . Piedmont excels in its wine production, from Monferrato to the Langhe, from Astigiano to the Tortonesi Hills: the numerous wine trails lead to charming landscapes, with several stops at farms and wineries to taste wines and typical local produce, like the scented white truffle of Alba. If you are looking for health and wellness on your holiday, you can choose one of the renowned spas of the region, such as Acqui Terme, surrounded by the striking remains of a Roman aqueduct. Finally, hit up a few internationally-acclaimed cultural events and festivals, like the Book Fair and the famous chocolate fair, “Cioccolatò,” that take place every year in Turin - as well as food fairs and cultural events including the famous Ivrea Carnival , the Palio horse race of Asti and many more.

The most typical specialties of the regional cuisine are fondue and bagna cauda: two warm and out-of-this-world dips that celebrate the Alba white truffle and raw vegetables. Some of the many excellent dishes include the great mixed fry, braised beef in Barolo wine, civet of hare and a wide array of cheeses: toma, robiola, bruss from the Langhe, gorgonzola from Novara , and sernium from Biella . The typical desserts of the region can be found everywhere: the chocolates of Turin (unforgettable are the exquisite gianduiotti chocolates made with hazelnuts from Langhe and Monferrato ), Novara biscuits, the bicciolani of Vercelli , the crumiri of Casale, the Cuneo chocolate sweets with rum and candied chestnuts, nougat from Alba, the baci di dama cookies of Alessandria and Asti , and the amaretti almond cookies from Novi. Finally, some internationally-renowned products like breadsticks and vermouth are from Turin.

And Piedmont produces some of the finest red wines in Italy: Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, Ghemme, Nebbiolo, Freisa, Grignolino, Barbera, and Dolcetto. Piedmont Piedmont | Italy Piedmont Verbania Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 31,115 inhabitants. A fairly recent province considering that it was only established in 1992, Verbania has an extraordinary location, right on the shores of Lake Maggiore. It combines nature, mountains and national parks in the very favorable geographic location surrounding Verbania. Among those parks the one that definitely deserves a visit are the botanic gardens of Villa Taranto. They are actually the product of the hard work of Scottish man, Neil McEacharn, and today it is a rich garden Varallo Thursday, June 16th, 2016 Varallo, Piedmont Varallo is a comune and a small town located in Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Vercelli.

The town is commonly called Varallo Sesia and is located in Valsesia region at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. Varallo is located close to the city of Vercelli and was once known are Varade. The town itself is divided into two different boroughs by a stream. Varallo is spread over an area of 87 sq km and has a population of close to 7500. Varallo was Piedmont: Le Langhe Wednesday, May 4th, 2016 I was born in the province of Cuneo, near the Alps, in a village that looks like a still from a 1930's movie, where women still feel they need to have red lipstick and heels to leave the house and go buy bread, where Sunday is still the day you go to mass at eleven in the morning, then stroll down the portici of the main street, chatting with people and end up at the caffe' for a San Simone before lunch. The Langhe in Autumn Ph.

depositphoto.com/rglinsky A village Candelo Thursday, April 7th, 2016 Candelo (Biella) Castle Candelo is a small comune and town located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Biella. The town is located close to Turin and Biella and does not attract many tourists. Due to its medieval nature and its village like atmosphere it has become a center for agritourism in the recent years. It's a member of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia" club, the most beautiful villages of Italy. Many people who want to experience the lifestyle Residences of the Royal House of Savoy Sunday, March 20th, 2016 Royal Palace, Turin Ph. depositphoto.com/kasto Emanuele Filiberto, the Duke of Savoy moved his capital to Turin in the year 1562. He then began a large project to create a series of buildings and palaces to prove his power of ruling. These outstanding buildings were designed and decorated by some of the best known artists of that era and radiated into the outskirts of Turin. The complex also includes various country homes and hunting lodges.

Some of the best known Macugnaga (Monte Rosa) Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015 Macugnaga - Monte Rosa Valley Macugnaga is a small mountain village located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Verbania-Cusio-Ossola. The village is located along the Anzasca valley in the Monte Rosa mountain range. The village was first inhabited by the Walser, which are German natives belonging to the Swiss Canton Wallis. The area is generally famous for winter sports, skiing and hiking and mountaineering activities in summer. The village is also famous for its Temples of Damanhur in Northern Italy Thursday, September 3rd, 2015 Hall of Mirrors - Damanhur The quiet Valchiusella valley, close to Torino in Northern Italy hides a secret below ground. Unknown to most visitors and for a time even the Italian Government, this valley is home to a bewildering temple complex known as the Temples of Damanhur. The vast underground temples were begun forty years ago by a man who now goes by the name of Falco, following his lifelong vision.

From a handful of followers digging under a house, the temples and the Getting to know Piedmont Saturday, August 15th, 2015 Sunset over the countryside in Piedmont Ph. depositphoto.com/rglinsky The 150th anniversary of the Unification has been only a handful of years ago so, if you are heading our side of the pond soon, it's a must to visit where it all started, Piedmont. Piedmont, land of stupendous mountains and great lakes, is one of the cradles of Italian culture. It is the birthplace of or highly influential on many of the leading figures in the history of Italian modern Turin History Saturday, December 6th, 2014 Torino by night Turin is the capital of the Piedmont region and is located in the northwest area of Italy. Torino, as the Italians call it, is a major industrial city that lies along the Po River. The Po stretches from Mount Monviso in the Alpie Cozie (Southwestern Alps) to the Adriatic Sea near Venice.

Torino is home to one of the most famous relics of Christendom, the Shroud of Turin, and some of the most outstanding museums (The Egyptian Museum is the second Turin and the Salone Internazionale del Gusto Terra Madre 2014 Tuesday, October 28th, 2014 Turin barely needs to scrub up for a date: she is magnificent, no matter what. She is haughty, self assured and confident, aware of her charms and beauty, even when she wakes up after a night of debauchery and too little sleep. An old time tempress, Turin gets me every time: as a moody teenager, when I started university, I could not stand her, then, just as it happens so often when you fall in love, she bewitched me and I was lost.

...and here is why: from the popular BBC series Italy Turin Itineraries Monday, September 29th, 2014 Turin Itineraries and Tours La Mole Antonelliana, one of the symbols of Turin Piedmont has some of the most decadent and beautiful of all landscapes of the Northern area of the country, however, it’s also a region left relatively untouched by mass tourism. Or so it was until a decade ago, when the treasures and tranquility of this land were discovered. This beautiful region is often defined as “Tuscany without all the tourists”, due Lake Orta Sunday, September 28th, 2014 The Lake, Once Described as a "Pearl" by Balzac, is a Treasure Waiting to be Discovered Lake Orta and San Giulio Island, Piedmont Ph. depositphoto.com/Crisferra Lake Orta and its surroundings are quiet, beautiful and filled with gorgeous architecture. It is an enchanting spot, much less crowded than the larger lakes in the area.

Located in northern Italy, in the Piemonte region, on the west side of Lago Maggiore, the modern name of the lake was bestowed in Piedmont / Piemonte Saturday, September 27th, 2014 Piedmont / Piemonte The name of the region derives from the Medieval Latin term Pedemontium, which means "at the foot of the mountains." Piemonte is aptly named, as it lies at the foot of the Alps and has a culture and dialect that is closer to the South of France than other parts of Italy. It is bordered by France and Switzerland, as well as the Italian regions of Liguria, Valle d'Aosta and Lombardia. The area occupies the plain of the Po river valley, and produces Cuneo Saturday, September 27th, 2014 Piazza Galimberti in Cuneo, Piedmont Ph. depositphoto.com/rglinsky The Piedmont region is a collection of different landscapes and, to a certain extent, slightly different cultures, as well. Bordering France and Switzerland, it offers the Alps as well as plains and hills that provide the perfect environment for some of the world's best wines.

Its proximity to two different countries also provides for some language differences. The main local dialect is Lake Maggiore Wednesday, May 21st, 2014 Lake Maggiore viewed from Maccagno - Panorama Ph. depositphotos/elesi Of the three large pre alpine lakes of Italy, Lake Maggiore is the westernmost and the second largest after Lake Garda. The lake acts as a border between Lombardy and Piedmont and a part of it also sits in Switzerland (which can be reached from Italy either by train or by a short ferry ride.) Lake Maggiore is less crowded than Lake Garda and less glitzy than Lake Como, offering one of the most Asti Friday, June 1st, 2012 Asti city hall Asti is one of the well-known towns in Italy, which lies in the valley of Tarano at a distance of around 55kms from Turin. It is one of the renowned centers of wine production in Italy due to the excellent quality of grapes found in this region that yields top quality wines. Asti offers some interesting tourist attractions including museums, cathedrals along with some important monuments, which are worth visiting.

Besides, there are numerous festivals and events that take place Cherasco Friday, June 1st, 2012 Cherasco Cherasco is a small commune and town located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Cuneo. Cherasco is located close to the cities of Turin and Cueno. The town is spread over an area of 81 sq km and has a population of close to 7600. The town has still retained its medieval essence with its old buildings and monuments. Cherasco does not attract many visitors but due to the rise in agritourism in Italy, there are a few people who visit the town to experience the relaxed Novara Friday, June 1st, 2012 Novara dome entrance Novara is the capital city of the province of Novara. It is located in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy. It population density of a little over 100,000 makes it the second most populous city in Piedmont after Turin and the second largest urban area of the Piedmont region with 190,000 inhabitants.

It is a central crossroad for commercial traffic among the routes from Milan to Turin and from Genoa to Switzerland. Novara lies between the Agogna and Terdoppio Rivers Turin - Torino Friday, June 1st, 2012 ﻿ ﻿ Turin viewed from the tower of Palace Madama Ph. flickr/Andrea Mucelli The enlightenment writer Montesquieu once dubbed Turin as "the finest village in the world" thanks to a modern city plan begun in the 17th century. While many Italian cities can be a warren of twisting side streets, Turin boasts wide avenues with arcades, large squares and plenty of palazzi. To get a bird's eye view of the city take a glass elevator ride to the top of La Mole Antonelliana, which is sort Bene Vagienna Friday, June 1st, 2012 Bene Vagienna Bene Vagienna is a small town and commune located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Cuneo. The medieval town is located close to the cities of Turin and Cuneo.

The town is spread over an area of 48 sq km and has a population of close to 3500. The town has several narrow cobblestoned streets, charming old houses, porticos and small piazzas that can transport visitors back in time. The history of the town goes back to the period of Augustus, when the town was an Biella Friday, June 1st, 2012 View from Burcina Park. Ph. Depositphoto.com/rcaucino There are many stories of travelers who spend their time viewing Europe at their own speed, through hostels, hiking, biking and rail. Keeping their own pace, rather than one of an organized tour they tend to see their experiences a little differently than others. Many locations take on a different flair when seen through these eyes. Many different locations are usually seen, as well, through this mode of Shopping in Piedmont Friday, June 1st, 2012 Piedmont on the Italian map The region of Piedmont in Italy is spread over an area of 25,399 sq km and has a population of around 4.4 million. The region is surrounded by Alps on three sides.

It shares a border with France and Switzerland the regions of Aosta Valley, Liguria and Lombardy. The region has quite fertile land, because of which agriculture in the region is of high quality. The main products that are grown in the region are cereals, maize and fruits. The region's economy is also Alagna Valsesia Friday, June 1st, 2012 Alagna Valsesia, skiing hut Alagna Valsesia is a village and a small commune located in Piedmont, Italy in the province of Vercelli. The village is located on the Val Grande Mountain in the Valley of Valsesia alpine. Alagna Valsesia is located at an altitude of 1152 meters and is a popular tourist destination for winter sports, skiing and mountaineering. The village is spread over an area of 72 sq km and has a population of only 432. The village was originally settled by Walser and is Alessandria Friday, June 1st, 2012 Alessandria The romance languages have long been thought of as beautiful languages to speak.

Vowels roll off of the tongue in ways that make the words come out in song rather than in prose, or so it seems. The nouns used in these languages are no different. Persons, things and especially places come alive when said out loud. As we travel around the Italian peninsula we find no shortage of cities and towns with names and cultures that make these images come to life. The town of Alessandria Neive Friday, June 1st, 2012 Neive Neive is a small comune and town located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Cueno. The town is located close to the cities of Cuneo and Turin. Neive is spread over an area of 21.2 sq km and has a population of approximately 3000. Neive is basically famous for its wine producing region and there are several vineyards located close to the town. The town does not attract many visitors except for those who are interested in wine.

Because of the rise in agritourism in the Mergozzo Friday, June 1st, 2012 Mergozzo, Piedmont Mergozzo is a small commune and town located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The town is located close to the cities of Verbania and Turin. Mergazzo is spread over an area of 27 sq km and has a population of approximately 2000. The economy of the town is based mainly on tourism that the Lake Mergozza attracts, all of which falls within the commune. The quarrying and stone work of the region is also a main source of income for the Vercelli Friday, June 1st, 2012 Vercelli cathedral Vercelli is a city in the region of Piedmont in northern Italy. The city is located between Milan and Turin close to the River Po. Vercelli is an important cultivator of rice and there are plenty of rice paddies around the city. The weather here is quite typical for this region, foggy cold winters, hot summers, frequent rainfalls and thunderstorms.

According to many historians, the city was first founded around the year 600 BC and was one of the oldest urban cities in this Santa Maria Maggiore Friday, June 1st, 2012 Santa Maria Maggiore Santa Maria Maggiore is a small village and a commune located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The village is located 25 km from Verbania and 130 km away from the city of Turin. Santa Maria Maggiore is located on the border of Switzerland. The village is quite small, with an area of 53 sq km and a population of close to 1200. Santa Maria Maggiore's economy is mainly based on agriculture and cattle breeding activities and is not Barolo Friday, June 1st, 2012 Church in the town of Barolo (Cuneo) Barolo is a small town located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the famous wine producing region of Langhe. The town is famous for its many vineyards and its many varieties of red wine which are made from the nebbiolo grape.

Barolo is located in the Cuneo province and it can only be called a village. Barolo is spread over a tiny area of 5.6 sq km and the population of the village is only around 750. The village is located close to the cities of Travel: Where to Stay and Eat in Piedmont, Italy Piedmont, Italy ’s staid northwestern region, is famous for the country’s most tradition-bound cooking—insanely eggy pastas, vitello tonnato, the boiled-meat dish bollito misto—plus rivers of pedigreed red wines like Barolo, Barbera and Barbaresco . But there’s a little-known fact: Piedmont, which also happens to be Italy’s most developed and industrial area, is forging a new identity as its most exciting and progressive restaurant region, where young local chefs have been playing catch-up (and forming close ties) with Spain’s avant-gardists. To report on Piedmont’s burgeoning New Wave culinary scene, my boyfriend, Barry, and I arrived with a simple plan: Spend a few days in the wine-growing countryside—perhaps with one classic trattoria detour—then do the same in the region’s capital, Turin.

We started our exploration in Alba at restaurant Piazza Duomo , which sits on the town’s main square. Alba is the resolutely provincial Piedmontese stronghold renowned as the world’s white-truffle mecca, but Piazza Duomo celebrates the brilliant cross-cultural cooking of Enrico Crippa, its 37-year-old hipster chef. Crippa was the star protégé of Gualtiero Marchesi, the Lombardian who almost single-handedly created the minimalist, elegant style we know as modern Italian. While running Marchesi’s restaurant in Kobe, Japan, Crippa became expert in Japanese flavors, and at Piazza Duomo , he dots shiso-spiked broth with crunchy quinoa crackers, rabbit sweetbreads and tiny cubes of house-fermented chickpea miso. Crippa’s current infatuation is with the vegetable-obsessed French chef Michel Bras; it shows in dishes like Salad 41, named for the number of leaves, flowers and herbs it contains. Piazza Duomo is owned by the Ceretto winemaking family of Barolo and Barbaresco fame, which accounts for the deep cellar.

We ate in the spare upstairs dining room, decorated with whimsical frescoes by star painter Francesco Clemente. Joining us was an Italian gourmand named Giorgio Grigliatti, a good friend of avant-garde master Ferran Adrià , of Spain’s El Bulli. After lamenting the current trend of consuming Barolos too young, Grigliatti raved about Crippa’s cooking. “He has the most cosmopolitan palate in Italy. But locals don’t get his international style,” Grigliatti whispered angrily as we left. Out in the Piedmontese countryside, we stationed ourselves at Villa Tiboldi , an inn perched on a vine-covered hill 10 miles north of Alba. The antiques-filled 18th-century property belongs to the Malvirà winery in Roero, which borders Barolo. Hoteliers and winemakers Roberto and Patrizia Damonte poured us their soft, lush Arneis and austere, faintly minerally Nebbiolos. When I mentioned wanting to visit other winemakers, Roberto insisted that these winemakers come to us—bearing bottles.

Which is how we ended up on Villa Tiboldi’s panoramic terrace, dining with the Piedmontese wine royalty. Davide Palluda. © Bruno Murialdo They were quite a crew. Barolo baron Domenico Clerico, dressed grandly, could have stepped out of a Renaissance fresco, while leather-clad Barbaresco king Bruno Rocca arrived on his Triumph motorcycle. My favorite character, Walter Massa, sported a cool, clubby riff on cowboy-wear, replete with handcrafted snakeskin boots. Arneis may be Piedmont’s best-known white, but Massa has made news by reviving an indigenous varietal called Timorasso in southeastern Piedmont. His bright, complex whites are the current favorite of young Italian sommeliers. While we ate delectable frog’s leg lollipops fried in focaccia batter, our dinner companions discussed their shared commitment to terroir and defiance of globalization in producing their modern-style wines. For lunch the next day, Grigliatti sent us to an ur-traditional trattoria called Marsupino in the village of Briaglia.

After an hour of scenic hairpin roads and missed turns, we arrived at the charmingly chintzy place to learn that Grigliatti had preordered our wines: Champagne, a Barolo and a big Barbaresco—just for Barry and me. Three generations of the Marsupino family hovered by our table, bringing one amazing dish after the next: rooster agnolotti, snail-and-leek casserole, tongue in salsa verde and 40-egg-yolk tajarin (tagliatelle). After that binge, we needed detox. Instead, we took a plunge in Villa Tiboldi’s pool, then—impossibly—ate our way through the menu at All’Enoteca in the nearby town of Canale. I place the blame on Davide Palluda’s (pictured above, left) light, revisionist cooking. The thirtysomething chef, who has worked all over Europe, presides over a beautiful, airy dining room with Oriental rugs and silk drapes over tall windows. Before dinner, he explained his approach. “My clients are local winemakers,” he said.

“I try to appease them with food they recognize while discreetly pushing the boundaries.” For his Head to Hoof Cow, Palluda takes the Fassone cow offal that locals adore and serves it as a pretty mosaic of terrines, salads and fritters; for dessert, he fills carob-flour ravioli with an explosion of liquid Blu del Moncenisio cheese, and tops it with a sauce of diced pears and almonds. The Enoteca complex also houses Roero’s regional wine center and a shop stocked with Palluda’s conserves. We left loaded with jars of his rabbit ragù and Barolo-packed peaches. Castello di Rivoli. © Pellion Still ahead was the Piedmontese meal I was anticipating most: lunch at Combal.Zero , the Michelin-starred restaurant at the Castello di Rivoli contemporary art museum (pictured, left), just west of Turin.

Largely unknown in the U.S., Combal’s unstoppably innovative chef, Davide Scabin (pictured below, left), is mentioned by European food cognoscenti in the same breath as Adrià and Heston Blumenthal of England’s Fat Duck—and as the most ironic and provocative chef of the trio. Those who order the tasting menu called “.Zero” at his art-filled dining room are treated to a multicourse meal more conceptual by half than the art installations inside the museum: Virtual Oysters (a combination of watermelon, anchovies and almond that, improbably, tastes exactly like oysters); Ravioli Shake (tubes of pasta and two kinds of butter meant to be shaken up); Hambook (prosciutto and melon gelée served inside a hollowed-out book).

Part comedian, part philosopher and part engineer, Scabin often channels his fascination with industrial design and theories of perception into playful “kit cuisine.” In a dish called Piolakit (piola is a Piedmontese osteria), tasting portions of regional classics—cotechino sausage, bagna cauda, agnolotti in brodo—come packed in mini jars fitted into a cardboard box with vials of Barolo and a deck of playing cards. The cards are both an indispensable part of a piola night and Scabin’s ironic comment on random commercialization of taste memories. I ducked into the kitchen for a quick ciao—and stayed for two hours as Scabin expounded on how Italian chefs were ruining pasta by not getting the salt content of cooking water right. (He’s working on a line of presalted pasta water solutions, each tailored to a particular shape.) Back at the table, Barry, sullen and bored, read me the gastro-widower’s riot act. But dessert—a bag of candy attached to a helium balloon filled with Campari vapors—saved our relationship. Our next stop was Turin, Piedmont’s coolly elegant capital, which has always struck me as annoyingly insular and buttoned-down.

On this visit, however, as I joined young crowds at the buzzing aperitivo bars in the newly gentrified Quadrilatero quarter, I decided that Turin was shedding its Northern reserve. Case in point: the avant-garde coffee drinks and desserts with names like Èspesso (a solid foam that stays in the cup even if it’s turned upside down) that Ferran Adrià created for San Tommaso 10 , the café owned by the homegrown caffeine giant Lavazza. (Adrià is a frequent visitor to Piedmont and an influence on local chefs.) Davide Scabin. © Alessandra Tinozzi Our hotel, the Renzo Piano–designed Méridien Art+Tech , sat across the street from Eataly (pictured, top right). This vast emporium in a converted vermouth factory showcases artisanal products sanctioned by Slow Food, the organization dedicated to preserving traditional foods. Every morning, I strolled among aisles of Barolo vinegars, acres of handmade pasta and more than 250 kinds of handcrafted cheese, including such Piedmontese favorites as the ricotta-like, hay-wrapped seirass del fen.

I wasn’t surprised that the hazelnut gelato at the Agrigelateria San Pé counter was crafted from milk pumped from cows that morning. Besides several dining bars, Eataly has an ambitious restaurant with a long name: GuidoPerEataly–Casa Vicina . Its slatted-wood design (more Tokyo than Turin) sets the scene for delicious updated local comfort foods, like bagna cauda reimagined as a tricolor vegetable puree, with a pungent anchovy accent. On our last night in Turin, we ate at the Michelin-starred Locanda Mongreno , run by former bass player Piercarlo Bussetti. Even more worldly than Crippa, Bussetti has cooked not only in Japan, but in Washington, DC, as well, with chef Roberto Donna. One has to love a cook who divides his tasting menus into Medium, Hard and Extreme sections, according to the intellectual challenge. The Hard option cleverly resolves Piedmont’s traditional-versus-trailblazing dichotomy by pairing classic dishes with their deconstructed doubles. Light potato gnocchi with wilted sage was followed by crunchy-liquid croquettes of potato velouté.

Then there was the dual vitello tonnato: boiled veal in tuna mayonnaise, plus the same ingredients reconceptualized into a caramel-poached egg filled with tuna, powdered capers and anchovies—presented on a spoon of veal consommé. The meal was a perfect summation of the modern Piedmontese food scene: nothing lost from the past, and everything gained from the future. Plus: Piedmont, region, Italy Encyclopedia > Places > Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and the Balkans > Italian Political Geography Piedmont Piedmont (pēdˈmŏnt) [ key ], Ital. Piemonte, region (1991 pop. 4,302,565), 9,807 sq mi (25,400 sq km), NW Italy, bordering on France in the west and on Switzerland in the north. Turin is the capital of the region, which is one of the richest in Italy. Piedmont is divided into the provinces of Alessandria, Asti, Cuneo, Novara, Turin, and Vercelli (named for their capitals).

The mostly mountainous and hilly region has the Alps in the north and west and the Apennines in the south. In the more elevated parts of Piedmont, forest products and fruit are produced and cattle are raised. In the fertile valley of the upper Po River wheat, corn, rice, grapes, honey, and chestnuts are grown. Piedmont has considerable industry, powered in part by well-developed hydroelectric facilities and aided by an extensive transportation network. Manufactures include motor vehicles (mainly at Turin), textiles, leather goods, aluminum, chemicals, glass, wine, and office machines. There is a substantial tourist industry, notably at Lago Maggiore in the northeast, and skiing is a popular activity. There is a university at Turin. The area of Piedmont was incorporated by Rome in the 1st cent. B.C. It came to be known as Piedmont by the 13th cent., growing out of Turin and Ivrea , western marches of the Lombard kingdom of Italy. Created in the 10th cent., the marches passed by marriage (11th cent.) to the Savoy dynasty (see Savoy, house of ). In the 12th cent.

free communes were instituted in many cities, while others remained under feudal lords. Besides the counts (later dukes) of Savoy, the marquises of Saluzzo and Montferrat were powerful nobles. By the 15th cent. Savoy emerged as the chief power. The French often entered Piedmont via the strategic Mont Cenis and Montgenèvre passes through the Alps, either as allies or as enemies; they greatly influenced Piedmontese history and culture. Moreover, Piedmont was a major battlefield in the Italian Wars (15th–16th cent.), the wars of Louis XIV, and the French Revolutionary Wars. The dukes of Savoy, who in 1720 became kings of Sardinia, had acquired all of present-day Piedmont by 1748. From 1798 to 1814, Piedmont was held by France. After 1814, the region became the nucleus of Italian unification during the Risorgimento , and Turin was the first capital (1861–64) of the new Italian kingdom. Valle d' Aosta was part of Piedmont until 1945.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. Piedmont travel guide - Wikitravel Time Zone UTC +1 and UTC +2(DST) Piedmont (Italian: Piemonte) is a region in the northwest of Italy , next to the border with France . The main city is Turin (Italian: Torino), which was host to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. Piedmont is surrounded on three sides by the Alps , including the Monviso, where the Po River rises, and the Monte Rosa. It borders with France , Switzerland and the Italian regions of Lombardy , Liguria , Emilia-Romagna and Aosta Valley . The area is justly famous for its wines, which include some of the best produced from Italy such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Dolcetto and Moscato D'Asti, its local cuisine reknown throughout Italy and the precious white truffles of this region which have been compared to gold because of their cost and delicacy..

Vercelli (Province) Geographically, Piedmont also includes the distinct regions of Langhe, Monferrato and Roero Hills, which lie in the centre of Piedmont and are a mixture of limestone and sandstone deposits laid down by the retreating Adriatic 3 million years ago, now cut by numerous river valleys and the area of most of Piedmont's wines: Langhe - in Cuneo Province to the south and west of the river Tanaro famous for its wines, and for its truffles. The hills of Langhe contain Piedmont's finest vineyards. The grapes grown in this region are primarily nebbiolo, dolcetto and barbera. The nebbiolo grape is used to make the renowned Piedmontese red wines Barolo and Barbaresco. Within Langhe are famous wine towns such as Barolo , La Morra, Monforte, Serralunga d'Alba and Barbaresco. Monferrato - extending from Turin to the eastern border of Alessandria, bounded by the Po River to the north and merging into Langhe in the south. The Monferrato is divided into northern and southern areas with Asti in the centre.

This area is is also a well known wine area particularly for Barbera d'Asti, as well as less known varieties such as Fresia, Grignolino, Brachetto, Malavasia and Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato; it is also known for one of the rare white wines of the region: the Gavi. The Monferrato is also famous for its white truffles found in Autumn and celebrated in local festivals each Sunday. Roero - the hills situated on the west bank of Tanaro River between Alba and Asti. The sandier soil produces light Nebbiolo wines as well as Piedmont’s best white variety the Arneis. The area is also famous for its honey; there is a beekeeping trail you can walk, as well as peaches (check the local markets in summer and autumn). And then there is the Eco-museum of the Roero rocks, or the great path of the Roero a hiking trail stretching from Cisterna to Bra which incorporates the Roero rocks, ancient lime and sandstone cliffs. Cities[ edit ] Turin (Torino) - the first capital of modern Italy Alba - the entrance to the Langhe.

Founded by the Romans, its historical centre still remains inside ancient Roman walls. Alba is best known for its elegant wines and exotic truffles as well as the home of Nutella Chocolate spread. Alessandria - city 90km southeast of Turin , the capital of Alessandria Province. Asti - center of the Piedmont wine area, an important medieval republic known as “City of 100 Towers”, of which around 15 still stand in the old historical walled city. The Palio di Asti, Italy's oldest Palio is held here every September in conjunction with the Douja D'Or wine festival and the Sagre Festival. Barolo - a small town south of Alba, world famous for its red wine Biella - a small town with a strong tradition in wool and clothes production Bra - city situated midway between Cuneo and Turin, on the edge of the Langhe near the Tanaro river. It is one of the main centres of the Piedmontese Baroque style with its many churches and palaces of the 17th and 18th century.

Bra is also in the heart of the so-called food valley, and the seat of a University of Gastronomic Science. Stresa - a sophisticated small town on the western shore of Lake Maggiore. A health and tourist resort noted for its pleasant climate and scenic surroundings, it is a favourite site for congresses. A conference held there in 1935 between Italy, Great Britain, and France unsuccessfully attempted to deal with Adolf Hitler’s announcement that Germany would rearm despite the prohibitions contained in the Treaty of Versailles. Antonio Rosmini-Serbati, founder of the Institute of Charity (congregation of Rosminians), died there in 1855. Pop. (2006 est.) 5,103. Verbania - The main city of western Lake Maggiore. Population approx. 30,000. Here you will find pretty much everything you might be looking for. Plenty of shops and restaurants. A beautiful stroll along the lake. The Harbor where ships and ferry boats arrive and depart. Verbania also hosts one of the biggest farmers and apparel markets around the lake. One part of the city is called Pallanza.

It's a very sophisticated area with some of the most spectacular Palaces right at the lake. Turin: Piazza Savoia's obelisk and Mole Antonelliana Candelo - fortified village of XIII century near Biella Colletto Fava - the hill with the giant pink bunny. Lake Maggiore - Lake Maggiore, one of the largest of our peninsula, develops on a surface of 21 square kilometers, (13 square miles) long about 65 kilometers (40 miles) with a width between 1 to 4 kilometers, (.62 to 2,5 miles) located at 194 meters (636 feet) above sea level, with a maximum depth of 372 meters (1220 feet) (Ghiffa). Its shores cover a total lenght of 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Canton Ticino in Switzerland to Sesto Calende (Va), reaching with its waters two regions: Piedmont and Lombardy, and three provinces: Novara, Varese, Verbano Cusio Ossola.

Wedged between the pre-alps, Lake Maggiore, of clear glacial origin, is framed in its lower section by the soft hills of the "Novarese" region, and in the upper section, by high mountain peeks, some of which with perennial snow. These features make it possible that in the costal areas the climate is temperate, milder in winter than in the inner areas and cooled down in summer by the breezes that blow on the water's surface changing its color. Thanks to its mild climate it was possible for many species of flowers and plants typical to the sub-tropical climate to adaptin the costal areas. The populations that inhabited Lake Maggiore were in the course of the centuries quite varied, from the Celts followed the Gaelic invasors, then barbarians and subsequently the Romans and finally governed by the lordships of the Visconti, Sforza and Borromeo. Commerce was the main activity, initially only by the lake, later by land due to the construction of the first section of the public road of the Sempione at the beginning of the XIX century.

By the beginning of the 1900 with the launch of the Sempione railway commerce flourished along with tourism and hotels, these activities have protracted up to date. Lake Orta - Understand[ edit ] Native Piedmontese are friendly and down to earth. This region has been the industrial heart of Italy since 1800, even though nowadays it's experiencing some economic difficulties connected with deindustrialization. Tourism is a growing factor. The Monarchy has left strong heritage across the region, particularly in wide natural parks (former king's hunting reserves) and in XVIII and XIX century buildings. Talk[ edit ] Piedmontese is spoken by about 2-3 million people throughout Piedmont. However, Italian dominates everyday communication. In 2004, Piedmontese was recognised as Piedmont's regional language by the regional parliament, although the Italian government does not recognise it. It has, however, been recognized as a separate language by the European Union. It is supposed to be taught to children in school, but this is happening only in a limited way. By plane[ edit ] Piedmont is well served by airports.

Caselle Airport (TRN) [1] in Turin is the main airport of Piedmont. It has regular flights with main European hubs and Italian cities operated by major airlines as well as low fares companies. Milan has three airports: The international hub is Malpensa (MXP) [2] which is the top Italian airport in terms of international traffic. It has direct connections with railway and highway networks. The airport is connected to Milan by the Milano-Varese highway as well by a dedicated train called "Malpensa Express". It is also connected to Linate Airport by a scheduled bus service. Linate Airport (LIN) [3] is the closest airport to Milan’s city centre and is well served by domestic and short-haul international carriers. It has easy access to the local highway network and is connected to Malpensa Airport by a scheduled bus service. Orio al Serio (BGY) [4] (Phone number: +39035326323) is located nearer to Bergamo and serves the low-cost traffic of Milan. To the south is Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) [5] in Genoa which is served by domestic and short-haul international carriers.

Another option is Levaldigi Airport (CUF) [6] in Cuneo , but it has a very limited number of flights and very few connections other than private car. By car[ edit ] From France through the Frejus Tunnel, Ventimiglia or Tenda Pass or via Mt Blanc tunnel and Val D'Aosta; from France, the Montgenèvre road (RN 94/ SS 24) from Briançon to Cesana Torinese in Italy is very good (above all on the italian side), always open during winter and free. From Switzerland through Sempione, or St Bernhard, Saint Gothard and other minor passes Get around[ edit ] Although some local bus and train service exists, the best way to tour the Piedmont is by car, especially for tourists who want to venture outside Turin and a few other large cities. Resorts[ edit ] The Milky Way ski area is one of the biggest areas in Europe and encompasses the following resorts. Sestriere -location of the Winter Olympics Sauze D'Oulx Claviere Bardonecchia is another large ski area and was host to the 2006 Winter Olympic snowboarding events.

Macugnaga and Alagna Val Sesia in the V.C.O. (Verbano, Cusio, Ossola) province (North-east of the Region). Limone Piemonte and Prato Nevoso in the province of Coni. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] If you can, try the Bollito Misto and Fritto Misto. These are two very traditional dishes and you may only be able to find them in old restaurants far from the tourist circuit. The Bollito Misto is a mix of beef and pork meat boiled with vegetables and eaten with a variety of sauces. The Fritto Misto is a mixture of fried meats and vegetables. Another very typical meal is Bagna Cauda: it consists of a hot garlic sauce eaten with raw vegetables. Try also the "Paniscia vercellese" a typical dish from Vercelli made with rice, beans and sausages. You can eat also fried frogs and good fishes from lake and rivers. Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] Piedmont is well known for its great wines, particularly Barolo and Barbaresco but also Dolcetto, Arneis, Freisa, Gavi and others.

Most vineyards are on the Langhe hills around Asti and Alba and on Monferrato other hills between Alba an Alessandria, but the passion for strong red wines has spread among the entire territory. Try also beers (Menabrea) and aromated wines (Vermuths). Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] You will find many accommodations from bed & breakfast to superb hotels. A good place to stay is the Verbania area at Lake Maggiore. In Stresa you will find the most sophisticated hotels. Camping is also available. A good way to learn more about the area is staying at an agritourismo or a family oriented B&B. Casa Maggiore B&B, Strada Manzi 146, Oggebbio/Verbania, Lake Maggiore (just 4 Miles north of Verbania), [7] . Bed & Breakfast overlooking Lake Maggiore. Guided Tours available. edit Holiday homes for rent in Piedmont, [8] .

Villas, houses and apartments in Piedmont, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta edit Province of Piedmont, Italy | Liguria Apply filters Province of Piedmont, Italy | Liguria Piedmont borders Switzerland and France. Visit the famous city of Turin during your holiday in Liguria, Italy. By the meaning of its name (foot of the mountain), Piedmont is a land of mountains. Go! Province of Piedmont The Province of Piedmont borders directly with France and Switzerland. It lies right in the middle of mountains, hemmed in by the Alps. The highest mountains in Italy are found in Piedmont. Lago Maggiore Those who love skiing will get their money’s worth in place Many of the skiing locations offer long tracks, steep slopes and a breathtaking mountainous background. All skiing facilities are modern and are regularly serviced and checked. The place is a real paradise for skiers! The Province of Piedmont has got wonderful valleys too. Valleys like the Susa Valley, the Valesia Valley and the Eschen Valley lie open in front of the wonderful Alpine panorama. Admire the unique landscape and enjoy the tranquillity found up there in the mountains.

Hikers and cyclists will get their money’s worth here in summer The mountains offer innumerable opportunities for hiking and cycling tours. The regions of Langhe and Monferrato are also worth a visit. The villages in these areas are arranged in a line along the vineyards. Come and tour one of the many castles located high up in the hills, and also partake of the exquisite wine from the region. The Lago Maggiore and the town of Stresa are worthwhile visiting. Take a stroll along the sea and enjoy the panorama and the beautiful town centre of Stresa. You can even go swimming in Lago Maggiore. If you would rather relax, you can do so in the sandy beach. The most well-known town in this province is Turin. Get to know the various cultural possibilities on offer here, for example museums, galleries, the beautiful town centre of Turin and the beautiful house facades in the historical part of town. Other towns like Cherasco, Alba and Ivrea are also worth visiting. The Province of Piedmont is the right place for history enthusiasts too. You will find numerous old medieval castles in the province, the most famous of which is the Ivrea Castle.

Admire the impressive buildings and the old walls of the well-preserved castles and fortresses. Other impressive castles worth your visit include the Savoy-Residence castles and Sacri Monti. If you are looking for relaxation and recreation, you will not go wrong in the many spas found in this region. The most well-known of the spas are Acqui Terme and Vinadio, where you can comfortably lean back and relax as you enjoy the beautiful panorama from your pool’s vantage point. The Province of Piedmont is also unique in terms of cuisine Excellent cheese and exquisite wine are some of the typical products found in Piedmont. In addition, there are also Italian specialties and culinary delights. Give your gums a treat with regionally grown wine and other products from the region. Quick Search Your booking process is excellent and simple - -., Villetta San Raffaele Very happy with the whole process and apartment. Alison M., Casa del Pellegrino The furniture was lovely - old world and full of character. Very nice. Philip P., Nonno Giovanni Thank you.

Iveta S., Villa Poggio d Andora No 29 Liked the tasting of local produce - wine and salami etc Juliet G., Villa Poggio d Andora No 12 We would like to say that the appartment was really lovely and we had a great time thanks. Lance W., La Rosetta We were most impressed with the help your staff were able to give us Alan L., Villa Il Castello Due Great balcony Catherine L., Villa Poggio d Andora No 29 We would definately book through you again because the booking procedure was very easy and clear. Pamela J., Casa S. Lucia good agent DAVID P., Villa Oneto

Question: What is the capital of the Italian region Piedmont?
Answer: Turin