Bordered by Switzerland to the north, France to the west, Liguria to the south and Lombardy to the east, the north-western Italian region of Piedmont or Piemonte is landlocked, though the beaches of the Ligurian coast are easily accessible.
Piedmont (literally 'foot of the mountains') is bordered by the Alps, and is criss-crossed by deep mountain valleys. Skiing is big here, as is walking during the summer, and on its borders lie Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco). Principle towns in Piemonte include Turin (Torino was once Italy's capital), Asti, Alba, Novara and Cuneo.
Unmissable sights in Piedmont include the huge Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, Mont Blanc, the baroque delights (and coffee and pastry shops) of central Turin and the fortified abbey of Sacra di San Michele. Alba and Asti make marvellous sparkling white wines, there are big reds such as Nebbiolo, Barbera and Barolo, while Cinzano and Martini are produced in the region. Piemonte has a rich cuisine, with many nods to France - there are rich sauces, butter replaces olive oil, truffles (Alba is the centre of the trade), porcini and risottos.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, just to whet your appetite,
as well as links to individual towns in Piedmont (top left);
See also Piedmont hotels (full listings) and our map of Piedmont.
