Piedmont

Overview:

PIEDMONT: Piedmont is at the foothills of the Alps, which make up almost half of the region - the rest being divided between hillside and plains. Piedmont has a colorful past and today boasts one of Italy’s strongest economies. Turin, the capital city of Italy until 1860 (now the home of Fiat industries) maintains an impressive historic center (Piazza San Carlo), and has the world’s most important collection of Egyptian art. The Langhe and Monferrato wine country is certainly the favorite area as far as tourism is concerned; this countryside south and east of Turin is characterized by medieval villages, ancient fortified castles, and hills lined with kilometer after kilometer of vineyards and fruit orchards. Other towns of interest include Alba, La Morra, Cherasco, Barolo, and Monforte. Gastronomic specialties: Risotto is common in Piedmont (the region along with Lombardy being Europe’s rice capital). The region also boasts prized white truffles, and some of the country’s finest wines: Barbaresco, Barbera, Barolo, and Dolcetto.