Piedmont Photos

Our Piedmont photos page features this magnificent region of northwestern Italy. This is one of the most beautiful of all Italian regions.

Scenically, it is one of Italy’s most varied regions. The landscape changes from Alpine peaks in the west to the rice paddies of the east. Similarly, from north to south, the landscape is equally impressive—from the Alps bordering on Switzerland in the north through to the vineyard-covered rolling hills of the Langhe wine country south of Turin.

The light, like that of Tuscany, has an ephemeral beauty that is extremely hard to capture. I believe that these photographs come very close to capturing that beauty.

My thanks to Karl Baer, Alexander Strahilov, and Nicholas Baumgartner for allowing me to use their photos.

Enjoy the photos...

A Countryside Getaway

Photo taken from the wonderful Antico Podere Tota Virginia. If you are visiting Piedmont, you should really try to get yourself a booking here. It is out of this world!

Turin

Turin, a city of regal splendor that nestles at the foot of the Alps, is often overlooked by its bigger, brasher, and uglier neighbor Milan, but Turin is by far the lovelier of the two cities, a city that unfolds like a living history book. The iconic Mole Antonelliana and the Royal Palaces are just two of many museums and palaces that await you. There are literally dozens of them, with the most famous of all being the Egyptian Museum, which houses an unparalleled collection of ancient artifacts.

Beyond its architectural marvels and fascinating museums, Turin is a gastronomic haven, enchanting palates with Italy's (and maybe the world's) best chocolates and it was here that Italy's beloved aperitif culture started. Strolling along its elegant avenues, lined with quaint cafes and chic boutiques, you are pretty much guaranteed to be charmed.

This city, once associated with industry in the days of Fiat (the factories have mostly closed now and been turned into lively shopping malls, hotels, and cinemas), surprises with its vibrant artistic scene and a fervor for innovation. It is a city filled with young people thanks to two of Italy's top universities being located here, and that gives the city a life and energy that many aging Italian cities lack.

Turin truly is a destination that will exceed even your highest expectations and promises a journey through time, taste, and tradition—an essential addition to any discerning traveler's Italian itinerary. Here is everything you need to know about the city.

Turin, looking out over the river Po and across to Piazza Vittorio (featured in my walking tour of Turin). At the far end of the piazza is Via Po, which is one of Turin's most elegant avenues and leads up to the magnificent Piazza Castello. Not far away is the open air market of Porta Palazzo, the largest open-air market in Europe and the Quadrilateral district, the lively old town of Turin where the narrow lanes are home to many great bars and restaurants.

Castle of Valentino

Wander down through the old neighborhoods of Turin, through piazzas, and soon you'll find yourself on the banks of the River Po. Here you'll discover one of Turin's loveliest parks; it is the Parco Valentino, home to the Castle of Valentino, the 17th-century castle shown in the picture above. Built in the 14th century, the castle was one of the residences of the royal family of Savoy.

A great idea is to take a boat trip from here along the river; the trip offers stunning views of the city. While in the park, make sure you visit the "Medieval Village," which is actually an incredibly good replica of one—it was built in the 19th century. for an exhibition

Venaria Palace Torino

Perhaps the most magnificent palace in all of Europe and one of the top ten tourist attractions in all of Italy. Located just outside Torino and once the home of the Savoy kings. View the article here.

The Langhe

A short drive south of Turin and you'll find yourself in the Langhe, a country paradise of rolling hills, dressed up in endless vineyards and charming villages like Neive and Barolo.

Renowned for its exquisite wines, particularly the noble Barolo and Barbaresco, this entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Photo of the little town of Barolo in the Langhe wine region of Piedmont. Barolo stands as the wine world's crown jewel of Italy. This quaint town, wrapped in a tapestry of vineyards and framed by the Alpine backdrop and scenic vistas, is synonymous with the illustrious red wine that bears its name.

Belvedere by Alexander Strahilov.

The lovely town of Belvedere. Near here, you'll find one of the loveliest of all the Langhe's towns—tiny little Neive (click for more info).

Photo by Alexander Strahilov.

The Langhe is often known as the valley of a thousand hills. Seemingly endless and vineyard-covered hills stretch away into the far distance, all the way to the Alps.

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