Piemonte, Italy is one of the 20 regions in Italy. It is located on the Italian peninsula in the northwest corner. It consists of the following provinces: Alessandria, Biella, Novara, Asti, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Cuneo, Turin, and Vercelli. The capital of Piemonte is Turin. The region is part of an industrial triangle, which consists of Turin, Genoa, and Milan. Piemonte is not as well known for being a tourist area as other regions in Italy are but it is still a popular destination for many. It gained recent recognition worldwide when it was the host for the 2006 Winter Olympics.
The Piemonte economy is heavily centered on its state support for higher education. The region is home to the Polytechnic University of Turin, the University of Turin, and most recently, the University of Eastern Piemonte.
Piemonte is a popular tourist destination for those who enjoy warmer outdoor activities, including horseback riding, hiking, and biking. These activities provide the perfect opportunity to also enjoy the Italian rolling hills and vines. The climate in Piemonte is mild for the duration of the summer, making it an ideal time to visit. Piemonte is also an excellent destination for skiing in the winter with the abundant mountains. There are a number of ski resorts, including Sauze d’Oux, Claviere, and Sestriere. Additionally, people enjoy visiting Piedmonte for any holiday because of its proximity to the Ligurian coast.
Piemonte is famous internationally for its wine production, specifically Spumante from Asti and Barolo from the Langhe hills. It is also a known food destination for its truffles and for Bra, which is Slow Food movement’s capital.
Points of interest in Piemonte include Mont Blanc, Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, and the capital of Turin. You can enjoy the stunning views of Mont Blanc from the Valle d’Aosta region. While you are there, enjoy the cable cars that take you over the French border. Gran Paradiso is Italy’s first national park. It is an excellent location to see an abundance of golden eagle, ibex, and chamois, as well as a number of rare Alpine flower species. Turin is known for its calm atmosphere with well developed suburbs. Tourists will enjoy the distinguished coffee shops and Baroque Streets. It is worth making a day trip to Turin during any vacation in Piemonte.
Most provinces in Piemonte offer a variety of accommodations for travelers including hotels, villas, bed and breakfasts, apartments, and camping. Notable accommodations include La Ca’ Veja with vacation apartments close to Turin, Agriturismo La Mussia with room and apartment settings in Asti, Bed and Breakfast Profumi with rooms to rent in an old farmhouse, and Villa Sartori which can house 2 to 10 people at a time and includes a swimming pool.
For those interested in purchasing real estate, the current prices are more affordable in Piemonte than Tuscany. The market is quite extensive in the Langhe area right now.
It is very easy to access Piemonte from Germany, Switzerland, Luton, and London by flying to Turin or Genoa.