PIEDMONTE REGION 

Piedmont Region is one of the 20 regions of Italy and has an area of 25,402 square kilometres (9,808 sq mi), and a population of about 4.6 million. The capital of Piedmont is the city Torino (Turin). The name Piedmont comes from medieval Latin Pedemontium or Pedemontis, meaning “at the foot of the mountains”.Piedmont lies in a peripheral position with respect to the rest of Italy but its relative proximity to the sea and contact with France and Switzerland have, over the centuries, led to the creation of an important commercial transit network which has favoured its present economic development.  Most people whom visit Italy only see the vast urban centers of Torino.

WHERE TO VISIT IN THE PIEDMONT REGION

Monviso, the Piedmont side of Monte Rosa and the other spectacular mountains in the region, create incredibly beautiful landscapes. The Alps form the background for sweeping, picturesque valleys such as the Val di Susa, Valsesia and Val d'Ossola. The landscapes of the Langhe and Monferrato hilly,but just as beautiful, a succession of cultivated hills and vineyards that are dotted with small towns and castles. Expanses of water and rice paddies, long rows of poplars and old farmhouses make up the typical scenery of the plains around Novara and Vercelli. Lake Maggiore is the most sought-after tourist resort, including Stresa and the Borromean Islands, charming as they are with their ancient villas surrounded by beautiful lawns and gardens. Yet, nature is only one of the many attractions in Piedmont. This region has many other reasons to visit: from Turin – the Italian car manufacturing capital – with its history and remarkable cultural heritage, and cities such as Cherasco, Alba and Ivrea. Medieval castles - like the imposing fortress at Ivrea - and prized works of architecture - the famous Residences of the Royal House of Savoy and the Sacri Monti (Sacred Mountains).

Piedmont is surrounded on three sides by the Alps, including Monviso, where the Po rises, and Monte Rosa. It borders with France, Switzerland and the Italian regions of Lombardy, Liguria, Aosta Valley and for a very small fragment with Emilia Romagna. The geography of Piedmont is 43.3% mountainous, along with extensive areas of hills (30.3%) and plains (26.4%). Piedmont is the second largest of Italy's 20 regions, after Sicily. It is broadly coincident with the upper part of the drainage basin of the river Po, which rises from the slopes of Monviso in the west of the region and is Italy’s largest river. The Po collects all the waters provided within the semicircle of mountains ( Alps and Apennines) which surround the region on three sides. From the highest peaks the land slopes down to hilly areas, (not always, though; sometimes there is a brusque transition from the mountains to the plains) and then to the upper, and then to the lower great Padan Plain. The boundary between the first and the second is characterised by risorgive springs, typical of the Padan Plain which supply fresh water both to the rivers and to a dense network of irrigation canals. The countryside is very diversified: from the rugged peaks of the massifs of Monte Rosa and of Gran Paradiso, to the damp rice paddies of Vercelli and Novara, from the gentle hillsides of the Langhe and of Montferrat to the plains. 7.6% of the entire territory is considered protected area. There are 56 different national or regional parks, one of the most famous is the Gran Paradiso National Park located between Piedmont and the Aosta Valley.

Bordered by the Alps and sitting at the head of the Po Valley the Piedmont Region offers a great variety of outdoor activities to enjoy as you discover the region

• Piedmont Alps
• Alba Italy

Italy is one of the most diverse places in the world to visit but there is more to the country then Venice, Florence, Roma, Cinque Terre and a couple of other top attractions.  If you plan you days well and understand how to move around within the country you can a great cost effective vacation full of activity, history, culture, and great food and wine.  Contact us to get the insights to travel in Italy.  We offer:

• Travel Consultant- book time online for a web chat to answer your questions about traveling in Italy.
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• Scheduled Tours - each month we lead a scheduled tour for those looking to join a small group to explore.
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