Piedmont Itineray 4 nights

Between a chalice and a charming sight - Piedmont wins hearts and minds.

Elegant and delightful, Piedmont is Italy’s second largest region, surrounded by the mighty Alps to the north and capturing visitors for its diverse landscapes, sublime art treasures and gourmet bliss.

Expect picture-postcard lakes and attractive villages perched on a hill, Europe’s highest mountain hut (Margherita, 4554 m. on Signalkuppe) and a world-famous Egyptian museum in the capital city, Turin: a kaleidoscope of experiences that contribute to the striking beauty of a majestic region, revealing its layers of attraction especially through its exquisite delicacies and a stellar wine production that even impresses the locals. An area known for its prowess and proud attachment to traditions, you’ll find yourself enticed, impressed and asking for more.

Day 1. Elegant and appealing - Turin to Asti

Start by sipping a coffee in one of Turin’s exceptional art nouveau cafes and enjoy a stroll along one of its many tree lined avenues – maybe put in a brief spell in the Egyptian Museum, the second largest in the world, after Il Cairo – before venturing off to Asti – famous for sparkling white Asti Spumante (produced in Canelli) and its Palio, a bareback horse race held in September.

Rolling hills and misty fields come into view as you go from one plot to the next – and the view stretches on towards towers, castles, small hamlets, the Alps in the background: it has to be Monferrato. Together with Langhe and Roero, they have been part of the UNESCO heritage since 2014 for their soul-stirring beauty and pivotal historical relevance. Vineyards line the hills and Piedmont crafts some of Italy’s most prestigious wines: visiting a cellar is the only way to find out which one you like the most, autumn harvest perhaps time being the most suitable moment to enjoy the ride.

Day 2. Gourmet galore – Alba, Bra and il Roero

Time to taste one of the region’s most prized riches: white truffles. Come to Alba in October and join the Alba White Truffle Fair, the internationally acclaimed truffle bonanza that bestows goodies, showcases cooking classes, guided tours, taste workshops and fun for all. (https://www.fieradeltartufo.org/en/ ) Black truffles are also exceptional and truffle hunts can be organized from May to September.

Reach Bra and a new chapter into your journey of the senses will commence: this is where the Slow Food movement started and the Cheese festival is a must for cheese lovers - held on odd years https://cheese.slowfood.it/en/. The nearby town of Pollenzo hosts the University of Gastronomic Sciences and you may well pay a visit: you’ll learn that food does nourish our soul. In our frenzy society, learning to enjoy it slowly seems like the way to go to fully embrace life.

Day 3. Barolo steals the scene

Quite possible the most famous wine in Piedmont – or Italy?- Barolo is a stellar, aromatic wine that is produced only with Nebbiolo grapes in a strictly confined area of Piedmont – the town of Barolo of course, but also Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba, plus small areas of close-by municipalities. Visit the Wine Museum in Barolo or embark on a Barolo vineyard tour, the best way to learn to love this prestigious delicacy.

Why not hike or cycle through the many trails that zigzag the area, starting in Barolo and going towards La Morra or Monforte d’Alba, maybe stopping en route to enjoy some delicious food and wine? You will see that one day is just about enough to take in the views, the scents and the aura that exudes from this precious small town

Day 4. A day of water and surprises – Acqui Terme and southern Monferrato

The temptation to linger in this food paradise for much longer is there, but as you move east you’ll still be met by the genteel contouring lines of rolling hills and Alto Monferrato has so much to offer. Stop in Acqui Terme for a day of pampering at the Terme di Acqui: known since Roman times, you’ll have a choice of several treatments to kick off the day – then visit the Archaeological museum in the Castello di Acqui Terme that hosts it and explore the Roman past by viewing sections of the Roman aqueduct. Water is the overarching theme of the town and you will also find a hot spring in the centre: la Bollente is a spring hosted in the square bearing its name, a stone’s throw from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Here, spa water flows at an astonishing 75 degrees!

Finish off your day with a gourmet meal – do not miss chocolate and delicious Piedmontese biscuits – knowing that you’ll be back to savour and explore - again and again.

The colours of Castagnole delle Lanze

Between Alba and Asti, the small village of Castagnole delle Lanze offers a peculiar journey into a colourful life. Several porticoes in the centre are painted with rainbow colours and Piazza Balbo is decorated with a mural depicting Saint George and the Dragon.

Several art installations are also on display throughout the town, and a visit to the Baroque church of San Pietro in Vincoli will bring you back several centuries. The Parco delle Rimembranze hosts works dedicated to Count Paolo Ballada di Saint Robert, who went up Monviso in 1863, together with Quintino Sella and Bartolomeo Gastaldi, an event that marked the beginning of the Italian Alpine Club.

Romantic Road of the Langhe and Monferrato

https://www.stradaromantica.com/en/

Eleven stages for what is a romantic trip along a marvellous region. A journey connecting the past and present in a mesmerising tour of picturesque villages, starting off in Vezza d’Alba and continuing to Camerana, touching on hamlets like Magliano Alfieri, Neive, Treiso, Trezzo Tinella, and Cissone. You may decide to cycle along it and enjoy the splendid scenery; as you pedal, find a cellar and stop for a well-deserved wine and food tasting – it will all fall into place: this is Heaven, can I stay a little longer?

Italy’s other Versailles – La Venaria Reale

The King of Italy formerly lived in Turin, and his presence is still felt in the city’s grand avenues and historic palaces. Just north-west of the capital lies La Venaria Reale, one of Europe’s most extraordinary royal complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At its heart is the Reggia di Venaria, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture showcasing frescoed halls, vast galleries, and a sense of regal magnificence that once rivaled Versailles. The palace is framed by impressive Italian-style gardens, celebrated for the spectacular Water Theatre at the Fontana del Cervo, where fountains, sculptures, and nature create an enchanting stage.

The estate also embraces the Mandria Castle and its lush park, once the private retreat of King Vittorio Emanuele II, alongside the ancient Borgo, echoing centuries of local life and tradition. Completing the ensemble is Stupinigi, the extravagant royal hunting lodge designed by Filippo Juvarra, a jewel of Baroque architecture that welcomed sovereigns and illustrious guests such as Napoleon Bonaparte and the Tsar of Russia.

La Venaria Reale is not only a palace, but an entire world — a journey through art, history, and nature that embodies the timeless grandeur of Italy’s royal past.

The Gavi area

In southern Piedmont, is one of those Italian treasures where elegance, authenticity, and terroir come together in perfect harmony. Rolling hills covered with orderly vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, producing the celebrated Cortese di Gavi DOCG — a white wine renowned worldwide for its freshness, minerality, and finesse.The town of Gavi itself is charming and steeped in history, dominated by its imposing Forte di Gavi, a 16th-century fortress that once defended the region. The area reflects a blend of Piedmontese and Ligurian influences — both in its architecture and in its cuisine: think handmade agnolotti, focaccia, ravioli al tocco, and fresh seafood arriving from nearby Ligurian ports, paired of course with a crisp glass of Gavi. This is also a land of craftsmanship and authenticity, where small family-owned wineries welcome visitors into their cellars, and the rhythm of life follows the seasons of the vineyard.

Just an hour from Milan, Turin, and the Ligurian Riviera, Gavi is a perfect retreat for those seeking wine culture, slow living, and understated Italian elegance.

5 Not to be missed in Southern Piedmont

Gavi and its Vineyards Rolling vineyards and biodynamic estates such as La Raia, where wine, art, and nature blend harmoniously.
Alba and the Langhe White truffle and world-renowned wines like Barolo and Barbaresco. The International White Truffle Fair in autumn
Acqui Terme A Roman spa town still celebrated for its thermal waters and Belle Époque charm.
Asti and the Monferrato Hills A UNESCO World Heritage landscape of vineyards, medieval villages, and Romanesque chapels.
Saluzzo and the Marquisate A beautifully preserved medieval gem with cobbled streets, noble palaces, and historic churches.

Food & Wine in Piedmont

The rhythm of the seasons dictates the flavors: autumn brings the rare and aromatic white truffle of Alba, a true jewel for gourmets, while spring awakens the orchards and summer fills markets with vibrant produce. The cuisine is rich yet refined: handmade agnolotti stuffed with slow-cooked meats, creamy tajarin pasta laced with butter and sage, and delicate vitello tonnato are timeless classics. Each dish celebrates authenticity, tradition, and the joy of conviviality.

In the glass, Piedmont is unrivalled. The misty hills of Langhe and Monferrato give life to Barolo and Barbaresco, noble wines of power and elegance. The southern slopes produce the crisp Gavi, while Barbera, Dolcetto, and Timorasso reveal the diversity of this generous land. Sweet lovers cannot miss Moscato d’Asti, a gentle sparkling wine that pairs perfectly with hazelnut cake or fine chocolates from Novi and Turin.