4 nights in October - Tuscany or Piedmont?

Alba and Asti in Piemonte. Barberesco and Barolo. Just say "vino della casa rosso per favore" to get started!

We love Tuscany, but if you are interested in relaxing, seeing beautiful scenery, and enjoying good food and wine, the Piemonte is the best. We have been twice now and can't wait to go back.

I agree with the last comment. I have not spent more than a day in Florence, but I gather that Tuscany will most likely be busier, so Piedmont is a great laid-back alternative. Stay at a B&B winery in the country or get a place in Turin near the centro storico. Turin's center is easy to navigate and there lots of foodie things to do. You can check out Eataly (Metro: Lingotto) and all the famous cafes and chocolate shops. Appertivo hour is also big here, and you can elbow up with some regular Torinesi and enjoy inexpensive drinks with a tasty buffet. The wines in Piedmont are considered some of the best in Italy. Barolo and Barbaresco are big name reds, and therefore some of the more expensive bottles (30 euro +) meant for long-term aging (if that concerns you). We found that Dolcetto was just as good but a little cheaper, so shop around. Eataly has a wine bar (and microbeer bar I believe), and you can find them in the small towns around Piedmont, Turin too. If you go, be sure to drink Moscato d'Asti too! Finally, Turin is the home of Martini and I think there's a Martini museum/bar you can visit in town if vermouth is your thing. Speaking of museums, Turin's Egyptian and Cinema museum are interesting stops if you have a free couple of hours, and the Cinema museum is housed in the Mole Antonelliana which has a panoramic overlook of Turin. On the language front, some locals in Piedmont may not speak English to the degree that you might find in Tuscany, but Turin was no problem. It's not really an issue, but in Asti for example we found that a phrasebook with basic greetings and questions was helpful. Have fun!

Hi Jason, I am an American living in Siena. During my first fall in Tuscany, 2010, I never went to a museum but I sure did drink wine, relax and not speak Italian! October is absolutely beautiful and comfortable (not too cold or hot) around here. Come to Siena, or stay at a small hill town, and just do day trips into the countryside. My favorite drives are south of Siena in an area called "crete senese." It is the undiscovered part of Tuscany. My only advice about "relaxing" is to stay in one place for the four nights. You might want a hotel or agritourismo with a pool. Nothing like a good chianti at the end of the day with your feet cooling in the pool. I've never been to Piemonte but it might get nippy in October. Then again, you might look forward to cooler weather! Anywhere you go in Italy, it will be a great adventure.

I have been to both and I prefer Tuscany by far!
Piedmont is country local Italy, very low key and not much to do and few speak english. the views pale in comp to Tuscany's hill top towns. no question to me , Tuscany is the best all around.

I agree with JS, Tuscany!