Piedmont is in the north-west of Italy and borders with Switzerland and France. As the name says, Piedmont (= foothills) is a land of mountains: in fact, it is surrounded on its three sides by the Alps, which enclose in this region the highest peaks and the largest glaciers in Italy.
The Monviso, the Piedmontese side of Mount Rosa and the other spectacular mountains of the region, create incredibly beautiful landscapes; there are many ski resorts as well, like Via Lattea and Sestriere, which welcome winter sports enthusiasts with their modern facilities. The Alps are the background for great and picturesque valleys, like Susa Valley, Valsesia and Ossola Valley.
The hilly landscape of the Langhe and Monferrato is different, but still beautiful: a succession of cultivated hills and vineyards, dotted with small towns and castles. Water stretches and rice-fields, long rows of poplars and old farmhouses make up the typical scenery of the plains in the area of Novara and Vercelli.
Lake Maggiore is the most sought-after tourist resort, with Stresa and the Borromean Islands, charming landscapes with ancient villas surrounded by beautiful lawns.
Yet, nature is only one of the many attractions in Piedmont.
This region has many other facets: from Turin – the Italian capital of cars – with its history and its remarkable artistic heritage, to other several old towns like Cherasco, Alba and Ivrea. Then charming medieval castles, including the stately castle of Ivrea, and precious architectures, like the famous Residences of the Royal House of Savoy and the Sacred Mountains.
The famous spa resorts of Acqui Terme and Vinadio ensure baths and treatments for a relaxing and regenerating holiday.
Discoveries and surprises of all kinds are in store for the visitors of this region, including a wide range of food and wine for all tastes.
The provinces of the region are: Turin (regional capital), Alessandria, Asti, Biella, Cuneo, Novara, Verbano Cusio Ossola, Vercelli.
The first stop to discover this region is Turin, with its Egyptian Museum, one of the most important in the world, the Turin Shroud, one of the most precious relics of Christianity, the famous Mole Antonelliana which dominates the city and houses the National Cinema Museum, and finally the Automobile Museum.
The Reggia di Venaria Palace is a splendid and extremely charming architectural structure, inscribed on the World Heritage list by Unesco together with the other Residences of the Royal House of Savoy.
From the Royal Palace and the Carignano Palace of Turin to Stupinigi Palace (Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi), from the royal Castle to Turin’s Palazzo Madama: the visit of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy starts from Turin and ends in the surrounding area.
The Sacred Mountains are richly decorated masterpieces of religious architecture spread all over the territory of the region: Varallo Sesia, Serralunga di Crea and Ponzano Monferrato, Orta San Giulio, Ghiffa and Domodossola.
Other unmissable destinations are historical towns like Cherasco, “the town with star-shaped walls”, Savigliano, rich in monuments, Alba and Ivrea.
The most famous abbeys are that of Staffarda, impressive example of gothic architecture, and that of Novalesa, near Susa. The monastery Sacra di San Michele is particularly important, too, a very ancient sanctuary whose religious aspects are perfectly combined with its architecture and with the surrounding nature.
The Piedmontese shore of Lake Maggiore is full of renowned resorts, like Arona with its 17th-century colossal statue of Saint Carlo, Stresa and the Borromean Islands, with accommodation facilities, villas and meadows.
The ski resort of Sestriere - Via Lattea is one of the most important winter sports complexes in Europe.
There are many reserves and natural parks as well, like the Gran Paradiso National Park with its glaciers, natural lakes and protected flora and fauna.
Rich in natural resources and landscapes, Piedmont offers the opportunity of enjoying sports, relax and entertainment, alternating leisure with cultural visits. In the special background of the Alps, internationally famous locations like Sestriere, Susa Valley and others offer a wide range of slopes where to practice many different sports: from steep slopes to cross-country skiing, from ice-skating to snowboarding, while those who love the thrill of adventure can go climbing on rocky mountains or rafting on rushing rivers.
In the summer, the mountains and the valleys offer different trekking routes, including some tracts of the “Via Alpina” with paths and well-equipped huts, from Monviso to the mountains around Verbania.
You can choose from many more outdoor activities: cycling along River Po and in the territory of Vercelli, mountain biking along the banks of River Sesia, playing golf on the several greens of the territory and sailing, windsurfing and canoeing on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
Nature also offers other routes to discover the local culture and other facets of the region: in Germanasca Vally, for example, you can go on a guided tour to the talc mines that made the history of this valley, while the Sacred Mountains propose different spiritual itineraries in wonderful protected areas.
Piedmont is excellent for its production of wine, from Monferrato to the Langhe, from Astigiano to the Tortonesi Hills: the several wine roads lead to charming landscapes with several stops at farms and wineries to taste wines and typical local products, like scented Alba truffle.
If you are looking for wellbeing and health, you can choose one of the renowned spas of the region, like Acqui Terme, surrounded by the striking remains of a Roman aqueduct.
Finally, you cannot miss the internationally well-known cultural events and festivals, like the Book Fair and the famous fair of chocolate “Ciccolatò” that take place every year in Turin, but also festivals and cultural events like the famous Ivrea Carnival, the Palio of Asti and many more.
The most typical specialties of the regional food are fondue and bagna cauda: two dips to enhance the taste of Alba white truffle and raw vegetables. Some excellent dishes are mixed fry, braised beef in Barolo wine, civet of hare and a wide array of cheeses: toma, robiola, bruss from the Langhe, gorgonzola blue cheese from Novara, and sernium from Biella.
The typical desserts of the region can be found in every town: the chocolates of Turin, like delicious gianduiotti made with the hazelnuts of the Langhe and Monferrato, the biscotti of Novara, the bicciolani of Vercelli, the krumiri of Casale, the cuneesi chocolate sweets with rum and the candied chestnuts of Cuneo, the nougat of Alba, the baci di dama cookies of Alessandria and Asti and the amaretti of Novi.
Finally, some worldwide known products like brand-sticks and vermouth are from Turin. Piedmont produces some of the finest red wines in Italy: Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, Ghemme, Nebbiolo, Freisa, Grignolino, Barbera, Dolcetto.
