Italy Guide
Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta
In the extreme northwest of Italy, fringed by the French and Swiss Alps and grooved with deep valleys, Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta are among the least "Italian" regions in the country. Piemontesi spoke French until the end of the nineteenth century while Valle d'Aosta is bilingual.
Turin is the obvious first stop in the region and, despite being Italy's second industrial city, retains a freshly restored Baroque core and is well placed for days out. South of Turin, Alba is the most enticing town, and a good base for visiting the region's wine cantinas. Asti, to the southeast, really comes to life during its famous medieval Palio, or horse race. For the rest of the region, winter sports and walking are the main activities.
Further spectacular hikes and views are to be found in the adjoining region of Valle d'Aosta. Bordered by Europe's highest mountains, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn, veined with valleys and studded with castles, the region is undeniably picturesque. Aosta, the regional capital, is the only town of any size and, with its attractive cobbled streets and good shopping, makes an excellent staging post on the way to the smaller mountain resorts.
Straddling the two provinces is the protected zone of Italy's oldest and largest national park, the mountainous Gran Paradiso. The valleys here can be busy – the mountain rifugi and hotels become packed in summer – but development is purposely restrained to preserve pristine conditions.
Highlights
1 Sacra di San Michele The views of the surrounding valley from this fortified abbey are more than worth the long climb up.
2 Alba This hill-town boasts a well-preserved historic centre with a fancifully decorated bubblegum-pink Gothic Duomo.
3 Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso Italy's first national park preserves Alpine valleys and peaks that are home to ibex, chamois and golden eagles.
4 Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) Enjoy excellent views of this awe-inspiring mountain from the Testa d'Arpy.