Piedmont, holiday in the best kept secret of Italy
Piedmont in Italian means 'at the foot of the mountains'. This historical and culinary region in the north-west of Italy, bordering Switzerland and France, is sometimes called Italy's best-kept secret. It is true that tourism here is not as developed as in many other Italian regions. But with Lake Maggiore and the wine and truffle region of Langhe, there is still a lot to discover and above all ... to enjoy. Especially from a Belvilla holiday home.
There are three types of landscapes in this region. The Alpine region (with the Grenzgipfel as its highest peak at 4,618 metres), the Po Valley and the hilly country. The capital Turin is a magnificent art city with beautiful squares and elegant palaces. The region offers something for everyone, from a city trip and a cycling or walking holiday, to a stay at the waterfront.
Holidays by the lake
Lake Maggiore is a lake of 212 km², 60 km long, 10 km wide and a depth of 372 meters. It is located 193 metres above sea level and connects the Alps to the Po Valley. Around the lake you can rent a holiday home in several picturesque places such as Ascona, Stresa, Locarno, Verbania and Luino.
The lake was once the favourite attraction of the European nobility. They built luxurious villas around the banks, often with a botanical garden. This is why you will find exotic plants and various types of palm trees here today.
In the large bay, there are several islands, the most famous of which are Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Bella (with a beautiful baroque castle) and Isola Madre. A boat trip to one or more islands is highly recommended. And visit the small islands of Cannobio, where you can discover the Castelli di Cannero (ruins of medieval castles). Professional fishermen extract 150 tonnes of fish from the lake each year, including a unique species of trout. You can, of course, taste them in the many restaurants.
Authentic villages in Langhe
The hilly Langhe is located between the rivers Tanaro and Bormida. On the ridges of the hills, villages were built everywhere with a view on the deeply cut valleys. In the north, the hills of the Bassa Langa don't reach more than 800 meters, but in the southern Alta Langa you can climb to almost 900 meters. Spectacular views lurk behind every corner.
De Langhe is famous for its fruit, hazelnuts, porcini mushrooms and delicious cheeses. The chocolate is also of good quality. In combination with hazelnuts, handmade gianduiotto and chocolate paste are prepared here. But the most famous is of course the white truffle of Alba. The Piedmontese will eat their dishes, eggs and rice with it, or flavour the local fresh pasta dish (tajarin). The local chefs use it to turn raw beef into a unique culinary experience. It is in this region, by the way, that the slow food movement was born.
You don't have to look far for the wine to accompany all these delicacies. The northern vineyards of Barolo and Barbaresco provide products of very high quality. The Barbera and Dolcetto wines are also gaining in quality year after year. Red wines such as Asti Spumante, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Gavi are appreciated by connoisseurs worldwide. Piedmont is therefore considered to be one of the best wine regions in Italy. There are 52,000 hectares of vineyards in the region.
Art and cultural treasures
From your holiday home in Piedmont, make sure you plan a trip to Turin. There you can best visit some highlights of Baroque architecture, such as the Palazzo Reale, the Palazzo Madama and the San Lorenzo church. The Palazzo di Caccia pleasure castle is also more than worth a visit. Some buildings from the Middle Ages have also been preserved in the city. The abbey of Staffarda and the castle of Manta, but also San Giulio monastery in Romanesque style. This can be found on an island in Lake Orta. The Royal Residences are even recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
In the winter months, the mountains around Turin are very popular with winter athletes. In 2006, the Winter Olympics took place here, which made the ski areas internationally known.
Relaxation and fun
Everyone will find what they're looking for in Piedmont. The charm of a holiday home in the forest, the mountains or by the lake. The luxury of relaxing in a wellness centre (our tip: try a session of wine therapy). The pleasure of dealing with the hospitable locals. The excitement of the nightlife in Turin.
If you come here in the autumn, you can experience the palio in Alba. You may be familiar with the palio of Siena, where the city districts compete with each other in a horse race through the streets. Well, in Alba they replace the horses with... donkeys! Playful spectacle guaranteed in an authentic Italian atmosphere. Afterwards, each district presents a historical scene during a procession with more than 1,000 extras.