The Piedmont is Italy's lake district. It lies at the foot of the Alps, i.e. "ai Piedi del Monte". Vis-à-vis the Alps, the Piedmont is bordered on by the Ligurian Apennines, with their gateways to the Mediterranean. The Piedmont is very rich in villas, palaces, parks and religious sites. The "monti sacri" (sacred mountains), among them that of Orta above San Giulio di Orta, are among the most unique artistic legacies of popular piety.

The parks of Piedmont are truly museums of nature, where rare animals, flowers and plants can be admired. They are green oases where sports can be enjoyed, hiking or simple relaxation in contact with nature. We propose 13 particularly beautiful hiking routes and 4 city tours to enable you to become acquainted with the Piedmont. The 13 routes have been designated by the Piedmont Tourist Office as routes of particular artistic or touristic interest or owing to the natural beauty of the landscape.

• The royal residences
  The ring of royal residences forms an entity of unique historical, artistic and natural interest, designated by UNESCO as a monument of world cultural heritage. They are to be found outside Turin, in the Canavese region, in the Cuneese region and in the foothills of the Langhe. We would be happy to help you at the hotel reception desk with further information about destinations in a complete or partial sightseeing program of the palazzi and castelli.
• Alpine fortifications
  In the 17 th century, to protect the strategic borders, a powerful defence system was constructed between the Pellice, Chisone, Germanasca and Susa valleys. Fenestrelle, the "the Great Wall of China" of the Alps, is truly a military citadelle. This area is also a Waldenses cultural site and offers the untouched nature of the protected areas, such as, for example, the Parchi della Val Troncea
• Via Francigena in the Susa Valley
  "Trails of heaven": these were routes taken by pilgrims in the Middle Ages who were called upon by their faith to make their way to Rome, Santiago de Compostela or Jerusalem. This tour comprises a day on the trails of the Via Francigena that, since ancient times, cross the passes of Moncenisio and Monginevro into the Susa Valley.
• The castles or fortifications of the Canavese
  An area between the Gran Paradiso and the Dora Baltea valleys with medieval castles or fortifications evoking the mythical memories of King Arduin. In this tour, among other things, a visit is made to the National Park Gran Paradiso and to the sacred mountain "il Sacro Monte di Belmonte".
• The Biellese and the Clergy
  An area with countless sanctuaries, the oldest destination of the holy pilgrimages from the Piedmont and the Aosta valley. You visit, among other things, the Sanctuaries di San Giovanni d'Andorno and di Oropa, and you enjoy the unique atmosphere of these sacred places.
• Land of Water
  An expanse of rice paddies of this kind cannot be found anywhere else in all of Europe. The Via Francigena also passes through here between Vercelli and Novara, leaving behind impressive testaments to religious architecture. Especially to be recommended are the Abazia di Santa Maria and the nature reserve Bosco delle Sortidella Partecipanza di Trino.
• Lakes and Mountains
  Piedmont is also a land of large lakes at the foot of mountains and is rich in parks, villas, palaces, sanctuaries, shrines, and sacred mountains such as, among others, the Isola di San Giulio, the sacro monte of Orta, or the sacred mountain of Santissima Trinità a Ghiffa Stresa.
• The Valley of the Walser at the Foot of Monte Rosa
  At the foot of Monte Rosa, the Germanic Walser culture has survived since medieval times, and the old buildings can be admired. Visit the park of Monte Fenera, the sanctuary di Sant'Anna and the sacred mountain of Varallo.
• Monferrato and the Hills of the Po
  In the north the Po borders on the hills of the Monferrato. A land with vineyards, castles and precious testaments to Romanesque architecture along the Via Francigena. Recommended for a visit are Casale Monferrato, the sacred mountaln of Crea and of course the university town and provincial capital Asti.
• Among Great Wines and Authors
  In the Langhe, a natural relief of hills planted almost exclusively with grapevines and hazelnut shrubs or trees, visit the wine cellars, enoteca, castles, palaces and other places recalling the past.
• Hot springs, Gold and Herons
  Preserved in the Alessandrino are landscapes as well as architecture scattered on the plane, rougher the closer you get to the Apennines. To be pointed out in particular is Valenza with its artistic goldsmith's tradition.
• Art and Nature in the Monregalese and in the Cuneese
  A tour among baroque palaces, noble architecture and century-old pine forests. Visit, among other places, Mondovi and the Sanctuary of Vicoforte.
• The Margraviate Saluzzo
  The city of Saluzzo was the capital of a margraviate in the Renaissance, and is rich in art treasures. Crowning the nature reserve area and the sources of the Po is the Monviso.

As city trips, we recommend of course a visit to Turin with its world famous shroud, its many museums and shopping streets. In addition, we recommend visits to the following smaller cities:

• Alba - City of the White Truffles
  Pivot point of the old town is the Via Maestra, a real shopping paradise for traditional and exquisite products. The main street connects the Piazza Risorgimento with the Piazza Savona. The palace of the city hall as well as the cathedral San Lorenzo dating from the 14 th century line the Piazza Risorgimento.
• Cherasco - City of Peace
  In the Salmatoris Palace, where Napoleon signed the famous agreement, art exhibitions of international niveau are held today. Also worth a visit is the Cherasco market, highly regarded by lovers of antiques and handicrafts.
• Bra - a City to Live in
  Bra is worth a visit. Forming the center is the unique Piazza Caduti per la Libertà, which has a slight slant and irregular shape. Further buildings worth seeing make Bra an interesting excursion destination: the pilgrimage church of Madonna Dei Fiori, the church of S. Chiara, the gothic Traversa Palace, the churches of Battuti Bianchi, San Giovanni Decollato and the parish church of San Andrea. Gourmets can look forward to the diverse fruit and vegetable production in Bra and the typical sausages.
• Cuneo - Provincial Capital
  Provincial capital, a modern, hospitable border town full of commerce and a large range of cultural events. Green parks, city gardens and long lines of trees bordering the wide-open squares. Beautiful churches in gothic and baroque styles, medieval palaces in the old town, the long arcades of the Via Roma and of the Corso Nizza make Cuneo a unique city.