Gabiano Monferrato is the ideal location if you are planning a trip to the province of Alessandria, which lies to the south east of Piedmont.

Its panoramic hills and tranquil valleys are crossed with rivers, with the horizon to the south dominated by the Ligurian Apennine Mountains.

The Monferrato hills are covered in vines, together with dense woodland areas. There are a range of national parks; watch bird colonies at the Parco Fluviale del Po Tratto Vercellese-Alessandrino or soak up the natural beauty of the Torrente Orba Natural Reserve.

It's a place to relax, to enjoy serene walks, and then to watch glorious sun sets over a glass of local wine. Casale Monferrato, with its palazzi, castles and Renaissance churches is a town steeped in history. The famous Piazza Mazzini, the Duomo and the hexagonal Castello dei Paleologi, a fifteenth century military building complete with round towers and a moat, are all worth a visit.

The Lago di Viverone is noted for its archaeological importance as a site of Bronze Age stilt houses.

Turin, home to the Juventus stadium and museum, is just an hour's drive away, while the city's Egyptian museum enjoys a well deserved reputation as the finest museum in Turin.

Local cuisine is known throughout the country, but the region is particularly noted for its rare and delicate white truffle and the local wines such as Barolo, Dolcetto and Moscato D'Asti.