Archive for 'Piedmont'

If you have been considering a villa in Piedmont or a vacation rental in Lombardy, it is not unlikely that you might decide to spend a day during your holiday in Italy exploring Lake Maggiore. This incredibly scenic part of the country and part of Italy’s famous and beloved lake district is bordered by impossibly picturesque little towns, circled by excellent hiking routes, full of little islands and islets with gorgeous historic villas, architectural gems, and gardens, and is a perfect place to come and either enjoy various outdoor pursuits or to simply relax and unwind. While there are plenty of things to see and do in the area, one of the most remarkably lovely and magical activities that we can recommend is a visit to the Giardino Botanico Alpinia.

The Giardino Botanico Alpinia is an extraordinary and unique botanic garden housing mostly Alpine plant species that is located at 800m altitude above the picturesque lakeside town of Stresa that is right on Lake Maggiore. Reached by the Lido di Carciano - Alpino - Mottarone cable car, this very special garden not only houses a fascinating collection in an especially scenic location but is also accessed in such a whimsical and charming way. Overall, a visit to this wonderful garden while on vacation at Lake Maggiore is a definite must and would also be certainly a wonderful addition to any day trip in the area if you have found a holiday rental in Piedmont and are spending time seeing what the area has to offer. 

We recently discussed the exceptionally beautiful and lesser-known wine region of the Langhe in Italy and how it is actually the home of beloved wines such as Barolo as well as some of the most picturesque landscapes in the entire country. For those who are thinking about finding a vacation rental in Piedmont and who are wine-lovers, foodies, simply lovers of pretty surroundings, or all of the above, then a visit to the Langhe during your holiday in Italy is definitely a must. There are endless little family-run wineries to visit, larger enterprises that run like clockwork, pretty little villages, countless bars and restaurants serving delicious local specialities paired with incredible vintages, some charming hiking routes among the rolling hills and vineyards, and much more besides to enjoy and explore during your time in the area but there are also some little surprises, some little whimsical gems to stumble upon. Among these, the brightly-coloured, so-called Barolo Chapel, or Cappella delle Brunate, is a particular highlight. Like something from a pop art image or a child’s drawing come to life, it is a magic little wonder to make time to visit amidst your strolling, sipping, and sampling in the region.

Italy is home to several regions and endless destinations that boast the most incredible scenery and delicious culinary delights that are born in picturesque and fertile landscapes. In particular, one of the most beautiful areas to visit if you want to fill your eyes and stomach with lovely delights has to be Piedmont. Positioned in the north-western corner of Italy, near the border with both Switzerland and France, this is a region that is overlooked by majestic Alpine peaks and is composed of rolling green hills, dense forests, endless and carefully manicured vineyards, pretty medieval towns, elegant cities, and lots and lots of amazing local culinary specialities. Just find a vacation rental in Piedmont and spend a glorious holiday in Italy eating well in the most picturesque of settings. Head to Cuneo for their rum-flavoured chocolates, discover Asti and Alba and their famous truffles, visit the town of Bra in which the Slow Food movement was born and indulge in it yourself, and be sure to pencil in some time to visit the Langhe Hills...

Langhe is the hilly part of Piedmont, the almost too pretty to be real area that you see pictured in guides and articles and postcards from the region most often. It is also one of the most wonderful gastronomic destinations in all of Italy and is where Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo wines were all born, where delicious cheeses can be procured at every turn, and where yet more delicious truffles can be scavenged and devoured. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 due to its cultural landscapes and traditions in winemaking that date back centuries, this is one of the foodie destinations par excellence in Italy and, yet, for many international travellers considering their next vacation in Italy, it is a name that is not all that familiar. Despite this, we would argue that anyone serious about culinary travels in Italy should find a villa in Piedmont and plan a trip to the Langhe area to sample the cornucopia of wonders that await there.