Author
Jennifer Wilkinson
In 2022, roughly 20 years after I first visited Piedmont as part of a trip that included the incredible wine event – Vinitaly in Verona, I decided it was time to rediscover this fascinating region of Northern Italy with the purpose of curating a new tour. I had been involved in the Slow Food movement in Australia during the late1990s so I had many links to the area because the town of Bra was the founding home of the Slow Food Movement under the guidance of Carlo Petrini. The international office of Slow Food is still located in Bra and just outside the city is the University of Gastronomic Sciences created and operated by Slow Food. The university is dedicated to the study of food systems, ecology and gastronomy. Piedmont has been a leader in culinary prowess and is home to a high proportion of Italy’s Michelin-starred restaurant and has been important in promoting small-scale agriculture, respect for the environment and sustainability.
Torino/Turin
One of the highlights of my time travelling in Piedmont in 2022 was discovering what might be Italy’s most underrated city, Torino or Turin. It is such an elegant, sophisticated and friendly city with fabulous cafes and bars, quality restaurants and stunning architecture. To walk around the beautiful piazzas, covered walkways and arcades is a sheer delight along with the spectacular Italian Alps as an ever present backdrop. Piemonte literally means “foot of the mountain.”
Beyond Torino
Barolo and Barbaresco wines
Beyond this great city are the world renown wine regions producing the acclaimed Barolo and Barbaresco, the famous and prized white truffles, hazelnut farms and let’s not forget the highest quality risotto rice. This is an Epicurean paradise with food and wine at its centre without compromising nature and thereby enabling us to enjoy some stunning walks.
Truffle hunting with a gorgeous Lagotto, Bella
Our walk towards the stunning town of Barolo from Monforte d’Alba
One of our favourite Barolo wineries is E. Pira Chiara Boschis. We enjoy a sensational tasting of their exquisite wines in the small winery in Barolo. Chiara, the owner and winemaker, retains the honour of the first female winemaker in the Langhe, an honour she worked hard to achieve back in the 1990s.
Delicious food
These guys are part of the team of the amazing Antine restaurant in the town of Barbaresco. Stunning Piedmont cuisine and very fun and friendly service.
Lake Orta
The final secret of this region is the magnificent Lake Orta which I fell in love with on my 2022 research trip. It is almost the antithesis of Lake Como or even Lake Garda; peaceful, away from the madding crowds and offering interesting excursions and walks. It is our final destination and a glorious place to relax, embrace the environment and enjoy lake time
Where do we reside on this glorious journey?
Uncovering the best accommodation in the perfect location is always a challenge particularly outside the large cities but we have nailed this with one glorious hotel in the Langhe wine region where we stay for three nights and three nights at Lake Orta on the opposite side of the lake from the main town. Serene, local and only a short ferry ride to Orta San Guilio. We also stay in an historic property for two nights in the small town of Guarene close to the city of Alba. At the beginning of the tour we stay 2 nights in a gorgeous 5 star hotel, Principi di Piemonte in Torino.
Casa di Langa
Casa di Langa
Castello di Guarene, Guarene
Castello di Guarene, Guarene
Casa Fantini, Lake Orta
Casa Fantini, Lake Orta
Some favourite images from our previous tours
A delicious cheese tasting at a Cheese Refiner near Asti
Visit to the famous Porto Palazzo market in Torino
Asparagus risotto at one of our favourite restaurants
Same restaurant but dessert!
Lunch overlooking Lake Orta after a glorious walk in the hills above Orta San Giulio
Cows peacefully walking down the street in a village above Lake Orta. Love it!
