We are attempting to plan two weeks for my birthday (end of April) and we cannot decide on a location. We have been to Italy a dozen times, but never to the Piemonte or Cinque Terre. I was originally looking at Andalucia for this trip, but truthfully, we just can’t get enough of Italy.
We have already been to the Dolomites, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Verona, etc.
So, my question is, if you had two weeks in the Piemonte, where would you take your wine loving self?
A friend and I stayed at the Agriturismo Tre Stelle in Barbaresco last October. It’s fantastic with only 4 rooms available and unbelievable views over the vine covered hills. It’s convenient to reach other wine towns such as Barolo and Asti or Alba, the White Truffle Capital. There are many wineries in the area (Tre Stelle has its own small production) and lovely small villages dot the area. The restaurants were amazing. After 11 trips to Italy, this was my first to 5he Piedmont and I might return this October.
If I had 2 weeks I'd spend some days on the Orta Lake followed by a couple of nights in Turin and then I'd stay in the Langhe wine country as suggested above.
You can take a direct train from Turin to Alba and pick a car there. Be aware of the ZTL area if you are going to drive in Turin.
From southern Piedmont a 2/3 days trip to the Cinque Terre is doable ( If you like crowded seaside villages with nothing special except crowds). You'd better look for an hotel in Monterosso with free parking well in advance. Note that both April 25 and May 1 are National holydays.
Look at Aosta too, great wines and not typically visited by American tourists so it'll be a more authentic experience.
Thank you for the responses! I love that two responders are actually in Italy. 😊 Val d’Aosta definitely has my attention too. Turin. Looks gorgeous.
So, if not the Cinque Terre, what other coastal town might be a good spot for 2-3 days? There’s a lot of Coast line and many options.
Check out Varigotti, Noli and Spotorno in Savona province for beaches but Cinque Terre is more picturesque FYI.
A big second for Noli! Also Santa Margherita Ligure and Camogli on the Portofino Peninsula.
I was really surprised how much I enjoyed Turin itself. Quite picturesque, really walkable, very good transport links and public transport, etc.
The Egyptian museum is phenomenal (Largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo) .
Just to add a thought. Turin is a great city to visit. It has one of the largest and best automobile museums in the world. If you’re thinking about Val d’Aosta, continue a short way west to Courmayeur and hop the Skyway Monte Bianco for a unique experience and phenomenal views.
