www.Piemonte-Traveller.com - Itineraries

Land of wine and truffles

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0200

This journey through the lush and fertile land of Langhe commences in Asti, a city famous for its historic Palio horse race and even more so for its wine, produced here since the Middle Ages and so present in the culture and traditions of the city that it has become one of Piedmont's principal production centers, with 14 of Asti's wines achieving D.O.C status. The picturesque streets of the medieval center are lined with historic town houses, elegant shops and wine bars. The Romanesque crypt of S. Anastasio is well worth a visit.

From Asti we travel past Alba, where Piedmont's famous white truffles grow, to Roddi, to experience an atmosphere of times past and taste the town's excellent gastronomic products. Not to be missed: a tour of Roddi's ancient castle, a superb example of medieval defense architecture, now often used as exhibition center.

The history of Barolo, situated South of Alba in the heart of the Lands of Savoy, is linked to that of the Ferretti dynasty, once resident...

The jewels of Lake Maggiore

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0100

The Borromeo islands are the subject of any number of postcards sent home to friends and family by holiday makers visiting Lake Maggiore, one of Italy's major alpine lakes. Our exploration of the islands and the many fascinating sites located on the shores of this enormous basin or water commences with a visit to the town of Verbania.

Also known as the Garden on Lake Maggiore, Verbania boasts numerous parks overlooking the water. Perhaps the most beautiful is that of Villa Taranto, home to an exceptional number of botanical species. The Park is best visited in late spring when the plants are in full bloom. Another gorgeous lakeside garden can be found in the vicinity of the Church of San Remigio. Whilst in the area, visitors should be sure not to miss the Church of the Madonna di Campagna, the bell tower of which, rebuilt in the 16th century, is of Romanesque origin.

From Verbania, we travel southbound to Baveno. This is where to find the quarries of pink granite from which enormous...

Following the flow

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0200

From Turin we take the South ring-road (tangenziale sud) as far as the La Loggia exit and, after a short stretch of the SS20 highway, we come to the first site on our itinerary, Vallinotto, where to find the delightful Sanctuary of the Visitation built in 1738 on a hexagonal plan and the undisputed masterpiece of the young Bernado Antonio Vittone.

To reach Villafranca Piemonte we take the secondary road which skirts the river Po, where to breathe the atmosphere of the ancient Via del Sale which, since 1100 has animated the riverbanks. Those visiting the area in September, should be sure not to miss the Fishermen's Festival which celebrates the centuries-old fishing tradition of the Po. Before departing from Villafranca, obligatory a visit to the Missione Chapel, earliest documentary evidence of which dates back to the 11th century. The façade of the building is of particular note; adorned with fabulous frescoes which bear the mark of the studios of Bernardino Luini,...

The key to Italy

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0200

The Susa Valley begins right at the gates of Turin. The entire length of the valley can be traversed via the SS 25 highway which winds slowly through the mountains and, after some 15 kms, leads the traveller to St. Antonio di Ranverso, a monastic complex and hospital founded in 1186 and subsequently enlarged in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the church, redecorated in the 15th century, frescoes by Giacomo Jaquerio (1401-1453) and an early 15th century Polyptic by Defendente Ferrari can be admired.

Travelling onwards towards Susa, we come to Avigliana. This, one of the valley's most important towns, was already inhabited by the Celtics in the 6th Century B.C.. During the period of the Roman Empire and throughout the Middle ages, Avigliana occupied an extremely strategic position on what was then the principal passageway to France. Not to be missed: a tour of the Borgo Vecchio; the town's historic center which still conserves a great number of architectural masterpieces...