An Introduction to Piedmont!

Sheltered by the Alps on three sides, Piedmont boasts rich farmland, lakes, mountains, plains and rivers. The history of Piedmont is engraved in its soil, its medieval cities, its royal palaces, its castles and its fortresses. Turin, a great capital of art and culture during the 17th and 18th centuries is today at the forefront of contemporary art and culture as well as new architectural and urban creativity.

From the mountains to the lakes, from the palaces to the vineyards, the Piedmont region has something for everyone:

1. Visit the capital of Piedmont: Turin, Italy's first capital
In the shadow of the Alps, Turin has a majestic past, having taken the role of capital city firstly of the Dukedom of Savoy, then the Kingdom of Sardinia and for a short period of Italy. Baroque palaces, elegant piazzas and extensive porticoes offer an insight into the past, whilst art and culture abound inside galleries, museums, palaces and historic cafés.

2. Discover the Beauty of Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta
One of Italy’s most beautiful lakes, Maggiore stretches all the way up to Locarno in Switzerland. The drive along the lakeside road with its twists and turns offers spectacular viewpoints. Don't miss the town of Stresa where you can take a cablecar to Mottarone peak (1491 metres) from where you can view no fewer than seven lakes including Lake Orta and the enchanting island of Isola di San Giulio.

3. Take a boat to Isola Bella
This small rocky island in Lake Maggiore is dominated by the Borromeo villa and its extravagant garden. Count Carlo III Borromeo dedicated the palace to his wife Isabella D'Adda. Perhaps, Charles Dickens’ (1812-1870) description, after visiting in 1844, sums it up best: For however fanciful and fantastic the Isola Bella may be, and is, it still is beautiful.

4. Visit the Olympic Mountains
Hundreds of kilometres of white capped peaks surround the region. The Milky Way ski area is one of the biggest in Europe and encompasses the resorts of Sestriere with its Olympic slopes, Sauze D'Oulx and Claviere, whilst Bardonecchia's large ski area hosted the 2006 Olympic snowboarding events.

5. An Invitation to Court: Visit the Castles and Palaces around Turin
Many of Italy's great castles and palaces are situated on the outskirts of the city. The residences are eloquent testimony, particularly to the Savoys, who assembled a collection of outstanding artists, artisans and architects to build these castles and palaces such as Venaria Reale, Racconigi, Rivoli, Stupinigi and the Villa della Regina.

6. Visit Barolo: Taste the King of wines and wine of Kings
From La Morra there are splendid panoramic views across to Barolo where the castle has a Wine and Farming Museum and an Enoteca Regionale del Barolo in the old wine cellars. Here you can view, sample and sip Barolo wines in the tasting room before selecting your purchase!

7. Attend the Alba Truffle Fair
One of Piedmont’s most important festivals, the Fiera del Tartufo Bianco d'Alba (The White Truffle Festival) takes place each weekend during October in Alba. A great opportunity to taste rich Piedmont fare.

8. Explore the Gran Paradiso National Park
Italy’s second-largest national park which Piedmont shares with the neighbouring region of Valle d'Aosta. Originally the favourite hunting reserve of the King, Vittorio Emanuele II, it was donated to the state by his grandson in 1919. Today this alpine paradise, with a combination of magnificent scenery, chamois, ibex, eagles, waterfalls, peaks and meadows, creates a must area to visit.

9. Relax in the Thermal Springs at Acqui Terme
Acqui’s hot springs and spas are the perfect spot in Piedmont for a relaxing spa experience. The Romans were enchanted with the remedial qualities of its therapeutic waters which gush out from the Fontana della Bollente at an amazing temperature of 75°c.

10. Enjoy the Regional Food and Drink Specialties of Piedmont
The region’s food specialties include truffles, unique pastas, fabulous cheeses and hazelnuts. Piedmont is also home to Grissini, the long flat bread sticks which were first made here and world class wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Vermouth originated in Piedmont, as did Nutella, the chocolate and nut spread invented here in 1949.