General information Turin , the regional capital , is a fascinating city of Baroque architecture and famous for its association with Fiat cars . Visit the car museum , the Mole Antonelli for a panoramic view . Visit some of the beautiful 18th Century House of Savoy palaces , many built by Filippo Juvarra , including Rivoli , Venaria Reale and Mandria . North of Turin is the subalpine region of Canavese with numerous castles many of which have been opened to the public very recently such as the Castello di Masino , now carefully restored . Lace is produced in the Valsesia . Alba is the centre of the white truffle and of course the local wines ( Barolo , Barbera etc ) should be tasted and purchased . Cuneo holds a market in the Piazza Galimberti every Tuesday .
Cultural highlights Turin is laden with architectural treasures including the Palazzo Madama by Filippo Juvarra ( now home to the Museo Civico d ’ Arte Antica which contains the 15th Century Portrait of an Unknown Man by Antonello da Messina ), Guarini ’ s Palazzo Carignano , the Baroque buildings of the Piazza San Carlo . In Cuneo is the 18th Century Church of Santa Croce with a concave facade by Francesco Gallo . Vercelli had a school of art and its masterpieces can be seen in the Museo Civico Borgogna and in the Chuch of San Cristoforo are to be found frescoes and a 16th Century Madonna painted by Gaudenzio Ferrari . In the Palazzo Comunale of Alba is a painting of the Madonna and Child by the 16th Century artist Macrino d ’ Alba . The finest Romanesque buildings in Piemonte are to be found at the Abbey of Vezzolano at Albugnano .
Gastronomic highlights The region is renowed for its gastronomy and wine . Beef , cheese , butter , red wine , rice and truffles ( particularly the white truffles of Alba ) are all basic ingredients . Specialities include Manzo al Barolo ( beef in red wine and garlic ), Fonduta ( hot dip of fontina cheese , milk , eggs , truffles and pepper ), Bagna cauda ( hot spicy sauce with garlic and anchovies ), The wines of the region include Barolo , Barbaresco , Dolcetto .
Festivals Many are linked to food and wine in this region . Asti holds an annual horse race in the Piazza del Campo del Palio , accompanied by mediaeval pageantry and coinciding with a local wine fair in September . Cuneo holds a cheese fair in November . Ivrea is famous for its Carnival celebrations including a Battle of Oranges .
Our two centre recommendations Our recommended suggestions include Piemonte and the Italian Lakes , Piemonte and the Ligurian Riviera , Piemonte and the Veneto or Piemonte and Tuscany ( highly recommended for lovers of fine wine and beautiful vineyard scenery ).
How you get there By air Airport at Turin ( Daily flights with British Airways from Gatwick ) but Milan ( Numerous daily flights with British Airways ) and Genoa with British Airways are also possible and not much further in driving time but might make a more suitable option if you want to return from a different airport that is only served by British Airways . Hire�cars We include a hire�car with all our holidays to Piemonte . There is no additional charge for collecting your car from one place and returning it to another . With your own car Piemonte is an ideal region to holiday in with your own car . You can reach the region easily with just one overnight stop in France if you want .
A day out in Piemonte
A day ’ s excursion from the Villa Beccaris , Monforte d ’ Alba
This is a leisurely day of appreciation of the local scenery of low , rolling vineyards and woods of chestnut , oak and pine and pretty villages , hill towns and wine estates . From Monforte d ’ Alba we suggest you a tour eastwards across the undulating countryside to Serravalle Langhe and south to Bossolasco . On to Dogliani and back through the vineyards to Barolo itself , pausing here and there at your leisure to visit the wine producers and to taste the different vintages .
Visit the castle of Grinzane Cavour , dating from mediaeval times but very much enlarged in the 17th Century , where Cavour , one of the leading architects of the unification of Italy , spent part of his childhood . There is a wine cellar open to the public . Continue to the town of Alba , famous for its white truffles . There are interesting mediaeval buildings , a cathedral and churches with noteworthy frescoes . A highlight of your visit here should be lunch in one of several excellent restaurants .
After lunch journey southwards in the direction of Bossolasco again through the vineyards and then back across country to Monforte d ’ Alba .
Porcini mushrooms are typical of Piemonte
Renowned for its fine wine , the countryside is a delight hiding castles , palaces and rare works of art in little�known but very pretty towns
Average temp . in ° Centigrade for Turin . Source : Italian State Tourist Office .
30
25 20 15 10 5
Turin Asti Alba IE263
PIEMONTE
IE16 EXH1763 EXH919
Genoa
0 J F M A M J J A S O N D
Milan Castle in Piemonte
Phone 01392 441275 to make a reservation or to discuss your holiday plans 143