Piedmont
Refined and quietly grand, Piedmont is the home of Barolo, white truffles and Slow Food, framed by Alpine foothills.
Piedmont sits in Italy's north-west, against the Alps, and carries itself with a quiet, aristocratic calm. Its capital, Turin, was the first capital of unified Italy, and its arcaded streets, grand piazzas and belle-époque cafés still feel regal.
South of Turin lie the Langhe and Roero hills, a UNESCO landscape of ordered vineyards that produce some of Italy's most celebrated wines. This is the home of Nebbiolo, the grape behind Barolo and Barbaresco, and of a slower, food-first way of life that gave rise to the Slow Food movement in nearby Bra.
What to see and do
- Taste Barolo and Barbaresco with the families who grow them
- Hunt for the white truffle around Alba in autumn
- Explore Turin's Egyptian Museum, Mole Antonelliana and historic cafés
- Drive the Langhe wine roads between hilltop villages
- Sample Gianduja chocolate and Piedmont hazelnuts
When to go
Autumn (October–November) is magical for the white truffle and the grape harvest, with morning fog over the vines. Late spring is lovely and green; Turin is a rewarding city break year-round.