Piedmont is a region in Northern Italy at the foot of the Alps bordering Switzerland. That is why Piedmont means “At the foot of the mountains.” The largest city and capital of the region is Turin. In Turin, the old Roman city, you’ll find the landmark Mole Antonelliana. Turin is also known as Little Paris because of its distinct French style, its old cafés, large squares, and elegant Baroque buildings from the 18th century. Turin is an old royal city, so many of the shopping streets are covered, ensuring the royals would not get wet in the rain. So if it happens to rain one day during your holiday, a trip to Turin is a great option.
The region is known for the wines Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera d’Alba, truffles, hazelnuts for Nutella production, and much more.
In Piedmont you can experience beautiful mountain landscapes, vineyards, aromatic truffles, and some of the best wines in the world. A holiday in Piedmont means staying in the heart of the Nebbiolo grape region, from which some of the finest wines in Italy—and the world—are made: Barolo and Barbaresco. But don’t forget the Barbera grape, which pairs wonderfully with all Italian food and is also the best-selling red wine (grape) due to its price, quality, and drinkability. So be sure to book some visits with local winemakers.
With the world-famous wines from Piedmont comes, of course, a wealth of excellent restaurants—most, if not all—serving simple yet incredibly flavorful food. Restaurants can be found in all price ranges, but generally at a much lower price level than in Denmark. We always recommend the local trattorias, where both price and quality are top-notch. Eateries using the word “Ristorante” in their name are typically a bit more expensive. If you are lucky enough to be in Piedmont from mid-October to December, be sure to try the famous and costly white truffle, which is gently shaved over countless dishes, adding its significant contribution to the magic. You might also want to book a truffle hunt with a local. But be careful, as in some places, it can be a “staged” experience. Piedmont also produces a multitude of cheeses, so if you are a cheese lover, a great experience awaits. You could even visit the world’s largest cheese festival in Bra, held every two years.
Piedmont has a lovely climate influenced by the nearby Mediterranean Sea. Winter is short and usually cold, offering excellent opportunities for skiing in the nearby mountains.
Summer, on the other hand, is warm and dry. Spring and autumn stretch over many months with mild and warm weather, and as early as the beginning of April, you can experience temperatures around 20 degrees.
From our house, it’s just over an hour’s drive to the coast, so get up early, enjoy a day by the sea, and dine at one of the many wonderful seafood restaurants! Drive via the motorway to Genoa—it’s much easier than following the navigation through the local countryside.
Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc are the highest mountains in both Piedmont and the Alps. If you’re a fan of skiing and other winter sports, we suggest the Monviso ski resort. Monviso is not only famous because the River Po, the longest river in Italy, has its source on its northern slopes, but also because Monviso mountain is the one shown at the start of all Paramount films. If you prefer excursions, hiking in Gran Paradiso National Park could be another great activity during your holiday in Piedmont.
From our house, it’s a 2½-hour drive to a ski area, so get up early and enjoy a day on the slopes!
So, book a holiday home in Piedmont and combine this unique wine region with world-famous cuisine, majestic castles, and elegant style—all in the true Italian spirit. A holiday in Piedmont in Northern Italy is guaranteed to be a bombardment of sensory impressions that will stay in your soul and memory.