Planning a trip in late September/early October to Lake Orta, The Piemonte region and Parma/Modena/Bologna area. We will probably fly into Milan, rent a car and begin our trip in Lake Orta.
Probably then to Piemonte region and then end in Bologna. We have been to Italy many times but never to these places.
I welcome any tips or suggestions on routing, itineraries, places to stay, tour guides or tour groups. Also welcome suggestions on best city to base ourselves for Parma/Modena/Bologna area. Total trip time will be 3-4 weeks. Thanks for all sage advice and recommendations on anything! Grazie!
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7579 posts
A food tour with Italian Days is an outstanding experience. They start early in the morning (when milk for making Parmigiano Reggiano is being brought in from dairy farmers), and take you out into the country from Bologna, to cheese, balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto makers, then a sumptuous feast in the scenic hill country. I highly recommend Italian Days.
However, although the Tourist Information office in Bologna, right on the main square, Piazza Maggiore, does various walking tours in the city, they’re given in both Italian and English, with the emphasis being in Italian. We’ve taken two walking tours, over two trips. It’s a way to spend part of a day but each was underwhelming. Asking questions wasn’t easy. I don’t have alternative tour guide suggestions for the city, but don’t expect too much from the T.I., if you’re not fluent in Italian.
Posted by
Freedonia
15585 posts
FYI--Lake Orta is in the Piedmont region.
Where else were you planning to go in Piedmont?
Turin, Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como (Actually in Lombardy, not Piedmonte), Barolo are some of the areas I like in the region.
Posted by
OP
59 posts
In answer to Frank’s question- The only lake we want to visit is Orta. The other places in Piemonte is what I hope to learn from others. Certainly Turino. Also Alba. I welcome your suggestions on others. Thanks
Posted by
Freedonia
15585 posts
I can recommend a great restaurant in Orta San Giulio.......Al Boeuc. Get their "Tagleire di Salumi e Formaggi" and a bottle of wine, grab a table outside, and enjoy. It's a small place but people I know from the town recommended it.
Posted by
San Carlos, CA, USA
385 posts
Hi James,
On the first weekend in October is the Truffle festival and Medieval Costume Parade in Alba. If you are there at that time, you definitely should go.
If going to Lake Orta, don't miss going to the island in the middle of the lake. There is a monastery there and the walk around it is beautiful and meditative.
Posted by
11361 posts
There are charming wine villages and towns surrounding Alba- Barolo, Nieve, Barbaresco, La Morra. We had a wonderful time in this area of the Piemonte.
Posted by
Portland, OR
368 posts
Agree with Suki. Wonderful visits to those town.
Posted by
Granite Bay, CA
82 posts
Just returned from a week in Piemonte (Monforte D'Alba), where we stayed in an agriturismo (La Torricella) that was fantastic.
No other area is as wine centric in IMHO as Piemonte. For an unbelievable experience with great views, try Bovio restaurant in La Morra.