"Salve, Piemonte! A te con melodia mesta da lungi risonante, come gli epici canti del tuo popol bravo, scendono i fiumi. Scendono pieni, rapidi, gagliardi, come i tuoi cento battaglioni, e a valle cercan le deste a ragionar di gloria ville e cittadin..." (G. Carducci)*

Piedmont is considered an alpine region par excellence due to the presence of numerous slopes rising from its surrounding plains. Indeed, the lack of prealpine ranges makes this landscape even more suggestive, giving you the impression of being immediately in front of the snowy mountains that host some of the most famous winter tourism locations. Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and Monviso are some of the most famous mountains that make up the Alps, one of the world’s most famous mountain chains. However, this region is not only made up of mountains: the plain and the hills make Piedmont a green area with the presence of rich vegetation, rivers and numerous lakes, oasis and natural parks (there are more than twenty protected parks) with many species of animals and thermal spa areas that make this region, bordering with France and Switzerland, one of Italy’s best regions for tourists.

In addition, Piedmont is capable of satisfying tourists that want to learn the region’s history during their holidays. There are numerous cities of art, the main city being Turin, and there are many possibilities to discover a place that once was the nerve centre of commerce and trade. Indeed, one of the most important communication roads once passed through Turin, connecting Italy to North Europe’s main cities.

An ideal season in which to visit these places does not exist. In each moment of the year going to Piedmont means being able to discover a calm and relaxed atmosphere in a region framed by mountains. In winter, it is one of the places that skiers appreciate most and in autumn, when the beauty of its locations mingles with earth’s products, the hill villages become hosts to numerous festivals and parties. September is the ideal month to go to Lake Maggiore and admire the jubilation of autumn colours, whilst in summer it is the destination of high altitude excursionists. Finally, for lovers of local craftwork there are two places to visit: Valenza for its goldsmiths and Saluzzo for artistic furniture carving. However, behind these two flourishing craft activities there are a large number of workshops that daily produce traditional objects that are typical of this area.