Piedmont, Italy, Guide

When I was 21, I moved to Bra in Piedmont, Italy to pursue a master’s in food culture and communication at the University of Gastronomic Sciences. I was 21 when I moved to Bra, a small town in the Piedmont region of Italy, to get a master’s degree in food culture and communications from the University of Gastronomic Sciences. 

Wine in particular was a mystery for me. Before Italy, I drank only what my friends could steal from their parents’ liquor cabinets. It was usually something sickly sweet, like peach vodka or vanilla schnapps, drowned in Diet Coca-Cola. I was never a wine drinker, and couldn’t tell the difference between one variety of grape from another. But all of that changed when I moved to Piedmont—arguably one of Italy’s premier wine destinations.

We would go to Boglione (the local bar) every afternoon at 5 pm. aperitivo. We’d settle in and order a spritz of prosecco or wine while enjoying a basket of fresh focaccia. It was kind of like the complimentary bread baskets at American restaurants—but significantly better, because it was fresh, salty, and still warm. 

Even with my wildly untrained palate, the wine floored me—round and rich, full of berries, cherries, maybe even chocolate. I wanted to drink nothing else. It was cheap. After returning to the U.S., I was shocked to discover that the Barolo wine I had grown to love at 2 euros per glass now cost more than $100 for a full bottle.

You can also contact us by clicking here. Tuscany Then, there is the Amalfi Coast Piedmont may be the star of glossy travel guides and rom-coms, but it still feels like a place that you can call home. Italy’s best-kept secretsParticularly in the fall. Its rolling hills—recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—glow gold, nebbiolo grapes are harvested, and white truffles are unearthed. Plan a trip to Piedmont in the fall.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Casa di Langa

This hotel has been named one of the top hotels in the country. best new hotels of 2022 By: Travel + LeisureIt’s easy to see why. Casa di Langa The 39-room retreat is located in the rolling mountains of Alta Langa. The true distinguishing feature of this hotel is its dedication to all things tartufo The hotel is known for its truffles first-ever truffle conciergeThe team will take care of everything, including shipping your prized possessions home. The guests can also go out into the countryside with specially trained dogs to hunt for these delicious delicacies.

NH Collection Torino Piazza Carlina

The hotel is located in a 17th century building that has been beautifully restored. this upscale hotel The heart of the city is yours to explore. Turin, Piedmont’s capital. You’re just steps from the Royal Palace and the Egyptian Museum, and the sleek, modern rooms and a peaceful rooftop terrace—ideal for soaking in the underrated Italian city—give the hotel a competitive edge. 

Relais San Maurizio

The best hotel in Piedmont? Relais San Maurizio“, a beautifully renovated 17th-century monastic building where guests can experience traditional local cuisine in a Michelin starred restaurant,” states Julie Durso, a Scott Dunn private travel manager. This family-run resort is about 90 minutes outside of Turin. It offers vinotherapy and mineral-rich pools.

What to Do in Best Things to See

Expertise yourself in truffles.

Before truffle-flavored everything—from chips and dips to frozen pizzas—became ubiquitous, truffles were a luxury. Alba’s white truffle is highly prized, especially for its freshness, flavor and fragility. These wild treasures, which can cost more than 3,000 Euros per kilogram, are a far cry from caviar. The annual cost of caviar is around 3,000 euros per kilogram. International Alba White Truffle FairThe festival, which takes place over several weekends between mid-October and early December, is a unique celebration. You can take a cooking course, attend sensory analysis workshops and buy white truffles directly from the source.

At a UNESCO World Heritage site, sip the “king of wines”.

When you imagine Italy’s iconic vineyard views—rolling hills lined with vines and dotted with stone farmhouses—there’s a good chance you’re picturing the Langhe-Roero and Monferrato regions in southern Piedmont, not Tuscany. This area was named the “Best Wine Region in the World” for its beautiful landscapes and rich winemaking history. UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. The region is home to centuries-old farming techniques, and the nebbiolo grape, which is the most prized of the Piedmontese red varietals, behind Barolo, Barbaresco and other wines. 

Learn to eat and learn “slow foods”

Slow Food began in 1986 to fight against a single food culture. Think burgers and french fries everywhere. It’s still going. Each fall, Slow Food members and food enthusiasts descend on Bra, Piedmont for the Cheese FestivalTerra Madre Salone del Gusto is an international gathering of farmers and artisans in Turin. You can expect lively food stalls and sustainability talks as well as conversations about the future food.

Best Restaurants

Piazza Duomo, Alba

Alba is a small town in which a pink building dominates the landscape. Piazza Duomo The restaurant has been ranked in the top 50 restaurants of the world for three consecutive years. It also holds three Michelin starred. The menu celebrates Piedmontese ingredients—many sourced from the restaurant’s own garden—infused with global influences. Bookings for the restaurant are made months in advance.

Del Cambio, Turin

You can stay in Turin. Del Cambio This is a place you must visit. A longtime favorite of the creative set—past guests are said to include Mozart, Nietzsche, and Audrey Hepburn—the restaurant’s gilded interiors transport you to another age. Try a classic Piedmontese meal like vitello tonnato (veal in a tuna-sauce).

Osteria Veglio

If you want a memorable meal, don’t worry about eating at a Michelin starred restaurant every evening. Osteria Veglio. Menus are full of regional favorites that are not only delicious but also easy on the pocketbook. tajarin The following are some examples of how to get started: fiori di zucca, salsiccia di BraOf course, нормируте серине услови or panna cotta for dessert.

The Best Time to Visit

Piedmont’s best season is September to November. The vineyards turn gold and amber in the autumn, and the hills are filled with the aroma of truffles. Fall in Piedmont isn’t just beautiful—it’s delicious. 

Durso states that October is the perfect time to visit. Visitors can hunt with a local truffle expert and find the white truffle. Local markets are also bursting with seasonal ingredients such as porcini mushrooms and chestnuts. You can enjoy wine tastings at local wineries, long lunches that last into the afternoon and a slower pace of living. It’s also a season packed with festivals celebrating the region’s rich food culture—from cheese to wine to the world’s most coveted fungi. 

How to get there

Turin is the closest capital to Piedmont. It may be necessary to connect with another flight. It’s possible to fly directly from New York, Boston or Chicago to European hubs, such as London or Paris, and then connect from there to Turin. If you prefer, you can fly to Milan Malpensa Airport MXP and then rent a vehicle or take the train into Turin or anywhere else in the region. The drive is less than 2 hours through the scenic northern Italian countryside.

Cities and Towns To Visit

Turin

Turin, a city of stately beauty nestled at the foothills the Alps is a hidden gem. Durso says that Turin was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy between 1861 and 1865. “It is also the home of GiandujaNutella was inspired by the hazelnut and chocolate creation. Turin is a great base to explore the region. It has elegant piazzas and museums, as well as historic cafes and a growing food scene. 

Alba

Alba, a city best known for its Barolo wine and white truffles is a favorite of food and wine enthusiasts. The International Alba White Truffle Fair is held in the city every fall. It attracts travelers and chefs from all around the globe. The city is also known for its charming cobblestoned streets. enotecas You can enjoy some of the most prestigious Italian wines by glass.

Orta San Giulio

Lake Orta in northern Piedmont is a little-known lakeside getaway in Italy. Orta San Giulio is a medieval village on the lake with cobbled streets, churches that are frescoed, and boats to ferry visitors to Isola San Giulio. It is quieter than nearby Lake MaggioreIt is ideal for a romantic getaway or a relaxing overnight stay. Autumn is a beautiful time to visit the lakeside. The golden trees frame it beautifully.

How to Get Around

Public transportation is inexpensive and convenient if you stick to Turin. Tickets for the GTT’s metro, buses and trams start at just 1.70 euros per 100 minutes. Regional trains Trenitalia and Italo connect Turin to cities like Alba, Asti, and Milan—ideal for day trips. Short city trips are ideal for the Trenitalia and Italo trains. Enjoy Turin offers car-sharing via the app.

It is recommended that you rent a vehicle to explore the countryside and wineries of Piedmont. For the best deals, make sure to book early. The major rental agencies have offices at Turin Airport and the city center. The driver must be 21 years of age and hold a valid credit card.

Useful Apps Trenitalia, Italo. GTT Plan your routes. BlaBlaCar This is an excellent option for long intercity trips. The seamless experience is possible with the Torino+Piemonte CardEnjoy unlimited public transportation and museum access with.