Capitalised by the historic city of Turin, Piedmont is a diverse region of Italy, tipped by the snowy peaks of the Alps to the north and underlined by the maritime Alps. The name Piedmont actually means the foot of the mountains and a trip here will draw a tremendous degree of appreciation from you. The environment and scenery is gorgeous and includes plenty of rolling vine covered hillside terrain which is an absolute joy for hiking during most months of the year. Some of the finest vineyards in the world are located here too and if you're in search of delicious white truffles, Piedmont is the perfect destination to take a break. What's more, the automobile manufacturer Fiat is based here and there are numerous relics and museums in the area which pay homage to this heritage. Stunning Alpine peaks prevail in this stunning region of Italy, so if you can stretch to a visit to Monte Rosa, the spent energy will be well worth the reward. Gaze out over miles of stunning Italian countryside and have your camera ready for features like the Tanaro Valley and Langhe Hills. No visit to Piedmont should be completed without visiting the regional capital, Turin and this city will really open your eyes to the rich art and history culture here; there are plenty of villas situated on the outskirts of the city and they offer surroundings of rolling hills and a backdrop of the Alps.
Italy's northwestern region, Piedmont is famous for its variety of Barbaresco and Barolo red wines, which are mainly made from the local grape variety, Nebbiolo. Barolo wine, which is dubbed the King of Wines because of its previous link with the prestigious Royal Savoy family, can be sampled in Piedmont's Langhe and Roero areas. The Piedmont region is also famous for white wines like Timorasso and Arneis, which are made from two local grape varieties, Timorasso and Arneis respectively. When it comes to food, cheeses and truffles especially white ones are must-haves during a trip to the region. To sample various delicious cheeses, truffles and varieties of Barbaresco and Barolo red wines, take a trip to the thirteenth century Castello di Grinzane, which is located in Grinzane Cavour. To buy the famous white truffle variety, tartufo bianco, visit Alba, the world's white truffle capital. A good place to stay, enjoy different varieties of Arneis and Barolo wines and food and take in the breathtaking view of the surrounding Langhe and Roero hills. Before you leave Piedmont, don't forget to sample local Piemontese cuisine and try any the delicious pasta dishes with white truffle together with a local wine of your choice.
Piedmont is the ultimate destination for a mountain holiday in Italy. The aptly named Italian region - Piedmont means "at the foothill of the mountains" - is surrounded by the Alps, which make up more than 30 per cent of Piedmont's total area. Piedmont is home to some of Italy's highest mountains, including Monte Rosa, which is high 15,203 feet, Grenzgipfel, about 15,150 feet, Punta Nordem around 15,121 feet, and Zumsteinspitze, 14,970 feet. These imposing mountains are the backdrop to some of the region's most beautiful destinations, such as the Anzasca Valley, which is dotted with glaciers, alpine lakes, picturesque mountain villages like Macugnaga, and hiking trails suitable for beginners, like Sentiero Naturalistico Monte Rosa, which skirts around the highest mountain in Piedmont; or for expert hikers. Other attractive destinations include the Alta Langa hills, the Mergozzo Lake, and the pristine Gran Paradiso nature reserve. Piedmont is also a wine-growing region where visitors can enjoy the best of the Italian countryside and sample its products, especially around Monferrato and Langa. Visitors to Piedmont have a great range of outdoor activities to choose from, including trekking, mountain climbing, wildlife watching, mountain biking, as well as winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. For these reasons and more, the mountains in Piedmont are the perfect holiday destination.
When people think of Italian lakes, the first locations that generally come to mind are Veneto and Lombardia, however the region of Piedmont has its own gems which are often forgotten about by the mainstream travel industry. The entire western side of Lake Maggiore is boasts the stunning town of Arona and the picturesque lake Orta is a waterworld of its own. Both of these lakes features a number of surrounding hiking trails, all of which boast fabulous views of these hidden Italia treasures. Piedmont is a region which basks in an abundance of scenery and although there are plenty of walks which can be enjoyed by those young and old, there are a great deal of attractions to enjoy too. Daily boat trips will allow visitors to explore these lakes in their entirety and local towns such as Stresa are the perfect place to visit for lovers of landscape gardens. Lake Maggiore is complimented by a number of small islands, all of which can be accessed by boat during the daytime. Although Lake Orta is much smaller in size, it offers an enchanting retreat for many European families. Within close range of these lakes is a plethora of activities for tourists to enjoy. There are plenty of museums in the area such as Museo Egizio, the National Museum of Cinema and the Museum of the Risorgimento. Stunning architecture is in cast supply here too, the Alba Catheedral, Santa Caterina del Sasso and Mole Antonelliana being very popular.