There are no less Italian regions, than Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta (Val d'Aosta) located on the northwestern tip of Italy, surrounded by the French and Swiss Alps and crossed by mountain valleys. Until the end of the last century, French was spoken in Piedmont, and Val d'Aosta is still a bilingual region. Piedmont is one of the richest regions of Italy, known from the economically key Fiat and Olivetti corporations, and excellent cuisine and wine. In the Monte Viso massif, in the Cotian Alps, has its sources Pad, the longest river of the country, flowing through a wide, a valley stretching throughout northern Italy. Numerous towns scattered in this valley, industry and rice plantations are developed. Piedmont is also a paradise for gourmets and connoisseurs of old wines. The vine-covered northern hills of Le Langhe and Monferrato produce excellent Barolo wines, Bardolino, Barbera and Nebbiolo, and the famous sparkling Asti Spumante, and in Turin and its surroundings — Martini and Cinzano blends of local wines with herbs growing on the hills. Piedmontese cuisine is abundant and diverse: a lot of meat and venison are served here, which is usually cooked with wine or cream, butter and expensive regional specialty: finely chopped white truffles.
Turin, located on the main road and railway line from France to Milan, is the only city in the region, where it is worth staying for longer. It is the second largest industrial center in Italy, but it also has a magnificent baroque centre. In addition, the city is favorably located and allows interesting excursions in the area. Other, worth seeing, there are few historical towns here. The most interesting are Alba, a good starting point for visiting the wine cantinas and Saluzzo, a perfect place for those going to the valleys of the western part of the region. Asti, on the other hand, comes alive only during its famous medieval palio. In addition, newcomers are attracted by the opportunity to practice winter sports and hiking, especially around the monte viso in the west. More interesting routes and more magnificent views, however, are found in the neighboring region of Valle d'Aosta, which is separated from Switzerland and France by the highest peaks of the Alps: Monte Rosa, Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. The region is a paradise for skiers and tourists (the National Park around the gran Paradiso peak stands out in this respect in particular.). It is also worth visiting Aosta itself and its surroundings rich in interesting castles.
PIEDMONT
Many of the dishes served today in the most elegant restaurants of Piedmont come from the cuisine of the former Piedmontese aristocracy., and especially the Dukes and Kings of Savoy. The House of Savoy ruled the region from the eleventh century., and from the capital in Turin for a year 1574.
A trace of their activity is the monumental architecture of the center of Turin and the rich hunting palace in the suburban Stupinigi. In the nineteenth century, Piedmont was the center of the Italian national liberation movement( Risorgimenlo) and the aspirations for the unification of Italy under the aegis of the House of Sabuda. As a result of these actions, the first king of Italy was Emmanuel II, and Prime Minister Camillo Cavoura, piemondei statesman. The capital of the new state became Rome, which caused serious discontent among the Piedmontese aristocracy and the middle class. To preserve the importance of the region so far, factories began to be established (m.in. Fiat and Olivetti), which were to contribute in the future to important changes in the society not only of Piedmont, but also Italian. Today, Piedmont, in terms of wealth and political power concentrated here, is second only to Lombardy..
Traveling is quite easy in Piedmont. The rail-bus network covers the entire region and hitchhiking is rarely necessary. From Turin you can get to most places, but for those going to the hills of Le Langhe, Alba is more convenient, and for those who want to visit the valleys of western Piedmont, the base is Saluzzo.