Tour Piemonte, Royal Turin - the old Capital of Italy

You must have heard much more about this part of Italy as Turin, the regional capital, played host to the 2006 Winter Olympics Games. Piedmont means "at the foot of the mountains" as it is fringed by the French and Swiss Alps with their magnificent snowy summits, green valleys and rolling hills.

Piedmont is home to Italy’s famous white truffles of Alba, the fantastic Barolo and Barbaresco red wines, the white wine Cinzano, the Vermouth, the "grissini" (bread sticks)and the famous chocolate factory of Ferrero.

Turin (often associated with the name Fiat, the world’s seventh largest car manufacturer) is an aristocratic city as iy has been the first capital of Italy. You could spend a few romantic days on Lake Maggiore or teensy Lake Orta, with their magnificent landscapes.

Not to be missed the visit to the Sacred Mountains (declared Unesco World Heritage site) that offers you the chance to stroll among a dozen or so miniature chapels in an idyllic setting.

ITINERARY

1. day:

Half day guided visit of the centre of Turin which offers opulent palaces, large streets and squares, sumptuous churches.

The visit includes the Royal Palace where the royal family of Savoy, (who ruled Italy from 1870 to 1946) spent most of their lives, the Armeria Reale, Palazzo Madama, the renaissance Dome.

Brief stop in one of the many historic cafés for an aperitif.

2. day:

In the morning excursion to Stupinigi to visit the Savoy dynasty's luxurious hunting lodge. In the afternoon, visit of the Racconigi Castle, King Carl Albert's favourite summer residence and now part of the U.N.E.S.C.O. world heritage.

3. day:

Full day excursion to Asti, where you will visit the Asti Cinzano Museum. Continue towards Alba and the "Langhe" region, land of many famous wines and precious truffels. Wine sampling accompanied by a small snack in a local cellar.

4. day:

Full day excursion to the Aosta Valley, fringed by Europee's highest mountains, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn, veined with valleys and studded castles. Visit of the smartest ski resort of Courmayeur, with its magnificent Alpine scenary. Farewell dinner with local specialities.

5. day:

At disposal for optional excursions and departure.

OPTIONAL VISITS / EXCURSIONS

Turin The sightseeing to the centre of the city could be improved by visiting: Turin’s Museo Egizio,the best collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo, such as the statue of Ramses II, the Tomb of Kha and Mirit, decored mummy cases, etc the Sacra Sindone, a piece of cloth imprinted with the image of a man's body that has been claimed as the shroud in which Christ was dropped after his crucifixion Car Museum where you can see the old cars as the first Fiats, a bulky 1899 model, the gleaming Isotta Fraschini, the Fiat that on 1907 won the Peking-Paris race, and many other cars

Lake Maggiore: Full day excursion to the Lake Maggiore, and visit of the town of Stresa, one of the most beautiful and prestigious lakeside destinations in Europe, with its beautiful gardens and flowers, and the spectacular panoramic views over ther lake and surroundings.

Saluzzo: The medieval centre of Saluzzo (57 km south of Turin) is one of the most fascinating in the area with its narrow streets, murals, archways, gallant buildings and church fronts. Nowadays it is internationally famous for its artistically valued furnitures and for a yearly Antique Exibition. Visit to the medieval fortress Castle della Manta

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Sacred Mounains: Full day excursion to the nine Sacri Monti, a group of chapels created in the late of 16th and 17th century, with life-size stautes made of wood and terracotta and paintings representing the life, the Passion and the death of Christ, and the life of S. Francesco d'Assisi. They have been integrated into the surrounding natural landscapes of great beauty, hill, forests and lakes. This site has been declared World Heritage by Unesco.

Rice cultivation: Visit to the rice fields surrounding most of the territory arund Vercelli. This area is famus for the its rice cultivation, a tradition that has its orgin in the medieval period. Nice break in one of the typical restaurant to taste some of the delicious specialities.