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Why not Sampeyre? It's a beautiful mountain resort area in the Alps. That area is a major sky destination, although October might be too early in the season, and in summer it's also popular with hikers and climbers. Coming from flat Illinois you might like to spend time on real high mountains. Alba is nice, it's a wine producing area (also famous for truffels), but you are a couple of hours away. Cuneo is nice too, and it's a closer. But for such a short stay of 2 nights), I would enjoy the nature and the Alps there. And if, being from Chicago, you miss the big city after a day, take a drive to Turin, less than 2 hours away. Not as big as Chicago, but bigger than San Francisco.

Roberto, thank you for your input! The reason we'd decided against Sampeyre is from what we can discern (and there isn't too much information I can find online), it looks very, very small. We were hoping to stay in a larger town (but not the size of Turin, maybe more like Sorrento or even Siena) that would have hotel/restaurant options and that was big enough so we could split up as couples and have a little space. My husband and I love my parents dearly, but we'll be traveling together for a week and we have all four agreed that some space will be necessary to keep smiles on everyone's faces. But that's where I'm running into difficulties, trying to discern which towns in the area fit that criteria and would be easy to navigate into/out of in a car. With that in mind, do you have any strong contenders? By the way, thank you for also considering how we'd enjoy a little mountain scenery coming from the flatland. Love it! I was actually born and raised surrounded by mountains in the Seattle area (where my parents still live) but I always enjoy some mountain love when we travel - feels like home! Thanks again, and I welcome any/all input!

Cuneo is approximately the size of Siena and it's a pretty town. Probably the only one in the area (other than Turin), with lower chance of bumping into your parents. Unlike Siena, which is on a hill, Cuneo sits in a valley on flat land (like Chicago), but it's surrounded by very high mountains very close by (like Seattle), so you'll have the best of both world. Saluzzo is another town in the area that is nice, but it's small and you'll bump into relatives. Alba is smaller than Cuneo (maybe half size) but it's also very pretty, surrounded by hills with vineyards everywhere. However if you want to be near Sampeyre, I think Alba is kind of too far. From Cuneo you can also visit Alba quickly if you want because it's almost all freeway from there. Very close to Cuneo is Limone. That is one of the top ski areas in Europe. Very nice mountain resort. Some parts look like Bavaria. For two nights, with your plans to visit Sampeyre, I would settle for Cuneo. Pretty and central to Sampeyre, Alba and Limone. Plus is big enough to have some life in the evenings when you get back from your day trips.

That is fantastic information, Roberto, exactly the kind we're looking for and definitely gives us focus and direction for what to research further. Sounds like Cuneo is just what we are looking for, so we will definitely look into it. Thank you!

Angela, if you are going to be in Piemonte on the first weekend in October, you may want to check out the Medieval Costume Parade and Truffle Festival in Alba. Crowded, but great fun. (There's a website for it.)

Hi Kathy, Thanks! And it is interesting you mention that, because in my research of the area I'd seen there will be a Truffle Fair in Alba but thought it didn't start until October 12? At least that is what I had seen on this website: http://www.fieradeltartufo.org/Sezione.jsp?titolo=Truffle%20Fair%202013&idSezione=246 Is there a different type of festival starting the first weekend in October? We need to ultimately be in Milan on the night of Friday, Oct. 4th, but will have all day (and a car) to bum around and check out anything in the area.

Hi Angela. Well, sorry to say it looks like you are going to miss the Medieval costume parade and Donkey Races if you have to be in Milan on the 4th. They are on Sunday, Oct. 6. The Truffle fair starts Oct. 12 but when I was there the truffle market and tasting rooms were open on the first Sunday of the month. There does seem to be some Medieval ceremony scheduled for September 28 but I have never been to that. So sorry. Too bad you can't change your flight plans! You will love Piemonte anyway. Especially meeting the relatives. It is a very special experience.

Thanks, Kathy! It's a bummer we will miss such a big festival but are looking forward to spending time (albeit brief) in the area.