Piemonte is the top destination for Italian gourmet cuisine

Discover what rustic, local, Italian cuisine is all about in Piemonte, Italy’s capital of gourmet cuisine – perfect for food lovers.



Gourmet food holidays don’t get any more rustic, local, and delicious than Italy’s Piemonte (also Piedmont in English) region.



Located on the northwest of Italy, its main draw is the city of Torino – but for serious gourmands and food lovers alike, it is Piemonte’s incredible wines, produce, and white truffles which make this destination like no other. Italian gourmet cuisine reigns supreme here in Piemonte where rustic enoteca, grandma-style kitchens outnumber the Michelin or fine dining gourmet restaurants.



If you’re planning a gourmet food holiday through Italy and Piemonte, here’s what you need to know about where to go, what to see, and where to stay.



Visit modern Italy’s first capital: Torino was not only the host of the Winter Olympics in 2006 but it was the first capital of modern Italy and the home of the Italian royal family. Although it’s not as prominent as other cities in Italy like Rome or Venice, it has become a popular destination because it has a quiet yet strong cultural character.



Wine tasting and wint tours in Asti & Barolo: These two regions are best known for their wines and thus, gourmet food and Italian cuisine. Asti was a prominent city in the Roman empire and was especially significant in the 10-13th centuries. Today, the area offers many picturesque Medieval ruins, churches, and towers – Asti is known as the "city of 100 towers" – for visitors to see. Similarly, Barolo is best know for its wines: specifically, robust red wines. In fact, it was known once as the "king of wines and the wine of kings." Small but wonderfully scenic, the main draw in Barolo are its vineyards and the town of Castello Falletti.



Alba: For true gourmet food lovers, Alba is not just an ancient Roman city – but it’s home to one of the most expensive, most sought-after foods in the world: the white Alba truffle. Today, you can still see many ancient Roman ruins left behind from its founding in 89 BC; Medieval, Gothic, and Baroque architecture; and find out what the white truffle trade is all about. Every year from September to December, the hunt is on for these pieces of gold that are sniffed out by pigs or dogs, and shipped around the world to the highest bidder. Last but not last, Alba is also home to the delicious hazelnut Nutella spread – Italian gourmet at its best.



Stay: The Grand Hotel Principe de Piemonte is not only the "grandest" hotel in the area, but with four stars and a noted Small Luxury Hotel of the World and Great Hotel of the World – you can’t go wrong if you’re looking for a comfortable, luxurious room in Piemonte. Located on the Viareggio seafront near the beach, this prestigious hotel has been accommodating guests since 1922 and was recently restored in 2004 to offer even more elegant rooms, suites, and public spaces for its guests. From its Michelin-starred Piccolo Principe restaurant to its more casual Regina Restaurant and its Wine Cellar Bar offering hundreds of Tuscan wines, it’s the perfect place to stay to explore the area. Last but not least, the hotel’s wellness centre offers anti-stress facials, Asian body wraps, and couples’ treatments for those getting away for a little rest, relaxation, and romance. For more, go to: http://www.ghotw.com/hotel/home/grand-hotel-principe-di-piemonte.htm .