Monferrato, also known as Montferat is a city located in northern Italy region of Piedmont. It comprises of two modern provinces namely Asti and Alessandria. Monferrato is one of Italy’s most important wine districts. The city has a strong literary tradition that includes the 18th century Asti-born dramatist and poet Vittorio Alfieri and the Alessandrian Umberto Eco. Monferrato territory is cut down into two regions by River Tanaro. The northern part, reffered to as Basso Monferrato, is an area of plains and rolling hills. The Southern part, known as Alto Monferrato, raises from the banks of River Tanaro into the Apennines and the water divide between Piedmont and Liguria. Up to the 15th century, Monferrato was a roman municipium until the Romans rule declined. Today, Monferrato is not only one of Italy’s industrial cities but is also a spectacular tourist destination in the country. It is a best known area in Italy for its old history. The area has a rich artistic wealth and cultural beauty that includes medieval castles, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance churches, Baroque monuments, and brilliant works of painters and poets.
To arrive in Monferrato, below are ways that can lead you into the area;
By plane. The region is well served with airports. You can take a plane from any European cities like London, Paris, Berlin etc. that have regular flights with Caselle airport, which is located in Turin Piedmont and is the main airport in the region. You can also take a direct flight to Italy’s main capital city of Rome then connect to Caselle airport. This airport has regular flights with main European and Italian cities operated by major airlines as well as low fare companies. Once at Caselle airport, catch a train or bus to Monferrato or connect with a small flight to the center of Monferrato.
By train. You can travel from certain European cities like Lyon in France to Turin in Piedmont then from here catch a bus or a train from the local train station and arrive in Monferrato. Train tickets can be booked in advance from the Trenitalia website.
By car. The area is well interconnected by certain freeways from various cities in Italy and also Europe. . From France you can use the Frejus tunnel, Tenda pass, Via Mt Blanc and Val D’Aosta. From Switzerland you can use the Sempione, St Bernhard, Saint Gothard and other minor passes. If you are already in Italy, you can use the A4 Turin, A21 Turin, or A6 Turin. All this roads lead to Turin, the main city of Piedmont and from here you easily connect with minor roads to Monferrato.
Whilst visiting Monferrato for a short holiday like for two days or over the weekend. On your first day in the area you can do the following;
1. Day trip by taking a bicycle tour to visit other wonderful places in neighboring areas.
2. Browse the markets in the area to understand more about Monferrat’s people culture.
3. Go for wine tastings and cooking lessons and learn how to make Monferrat’s delicacies.
4. Relax yourself by going for a swim in the areas river.
5. Burn some calories by going for a tennis game or playing golf.
6. Cheer up your mood by attending a jazz concert, a lyric opera and or evening classical tunes in castle halls or hilltop chapels.
7. Familiarize yourself with the area terrain and nature by hunting for truffles and going for mountain climbing.
8. Get along with the locals by learning tamburello and bocce.
9. Sample out Galati’s to establish your own favorite ice cream.
10. If interested in learning Italian, there are Italian language teachers in the town therefore you can go for an Italian language lesson.
Read again to discover what to do the second day!