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5 overlooked villages to discover in Piedmont

I 5 borghi del Piemonte da scoprire e riscoprire secondo @idressitalian

When one says “Piedmont”, we immediately think of Turin, the Savoy, the Alps and Lake Maggiore. But there is a different and less-know Piedmont, a secret Piedmont if we want, which is not found in large cities with their abundance of great art and history, but in distant and quiet corners, where the past continues to live undisturbed and is always ready to be rediscovered. We are talking about the Piedmont of the small villages. Small medieval jewels, each with its own soul and distinctive trait, set in dreamy landscapes. Perfect places for quick weekend trips, great eno-gastronomic tours or relaxing holidays immersed in nature and in the tradition of one of the most beautiful regions of Italy. Here are five off-track villages that we have selected for you, discover them by clicking the button below.

5.SALUZZO

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Perhaps the largest and most developed among the Piedmontese villages, Saluzzo is a place straight out of your dreams. The village is located between the spectacular mountains of Monviso and the huge valley of the Po, in a hilly area, and thanks to the unique alchemy of these different scenarios it has a charm that few will forget. There is much to see in the city: the beautiful old town, the medieval walls, the ancient palaces of the nobility, the churches, the botanical garden of Villa Bricherasio. But even outside the city there’s plenty to do: the Monviso Park is just a stone’s throw away, with all its rivers, forests and mountains to explore. There’s plenty of food specialties too like the famous white hens of Saluzzo, but also a great variety of local cheeses, the “toumin al Mel” first of all, and then the hazelnut sweets, the wines … Saluzzo is also a city with a strong musical soul and hosts many festivals all year round that place the village at the center of the attention of the whole region.. Continua a leggere cliccando il pulsante in basso >

4.SERRALUNGA D’ALBA

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The medieval pearl of the Langhe, Serralunga, is often outshone by the the much more famous Alba, but it is no less worthy of attention. The first thing that everyone remembers of this village is its profile, with the ancient castle that stands tall on the top of the hill, with a web of picturesque houses and alleys at its feet, surrounded all around by extensive vineyards whose nectar , the prized Barolo, ages in the many cellars below the city. In addition to its architectural and cultural beauty, Serralunga is also a eno-gastronomic treasure trove. The entire life of the inhabitants revolves around the making of wine, the breeding of animals and cultivation. Not surprisingly, the enormous abundance of family-style trattorias and farmhouses will make your stay unforgettable.

3.USSEAUX

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Immersed in the greenery of Val Chisone, surrounded by extensive nature reserves all around, this tiny town, which has less than 200 inhabitants, is actually a collection of five distinct hamlets. Without a doubt one comes to Usseaux to experience an alpine and naturalistic Piedmont, far from the majesty of the classic historical centers and closer to an ideal of mountain life, in contact with the spectacular landscape and the colors and flavors of a land that is too often neglected in favor of more renowned and famous areas like the Langhe. Usseaux is a village to explore, rich in historical environments, characterized by the typical architecture of rural mountain communities with breathtaking sceneries like the one that you can enjoy from the village of Laux, located on the shores of the homonymous lake.

2.CHIANALE

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We remain in the mountains with Chianale, an ancient village with slate houses, 1800 above the sea level. This small village holds a record: it’sprecisely here that the forest of Alevè, the oldest mountain pine forest in Europe. Not only nature here, but also culture, thanks to the unique situation created over the centuries that has seen Catholic Italians and Calvinist Provencals live side by side: this village was one of the very few places where, in the 17th century, freedom of worship was allowed for all. The village is made even more picturesque by the blue alpine stream, the Varaita, which gives its name to the entire valley at the bottom of which Chianale is located. The gastronomic specialties are not lacking here either: polenta, ravioli del plin, game. If you want an authentic experience, this is where you have to go.

1.MOMBALDONE

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At about seventy kilometers from Turin, in the province of Asti, this small bonbonnière of a village has an ancient history that dates back to the Longobard civilization. Today, many historical details remain perfectly preserved and give visitors an all-round pleasure, ranging from admiring the art and architecture (the gothic frescoes of the cemetery of San Giovanni are famous), to exploring the beautiful natural landscapes on foot or by bike or by boat or canoe. Annual festivals dedicated to gastronomy, tradition and music animate the village throughout the year. If you want to enjoy the excellent food, the village tradition offers typical salami and cheese, handmade pasta and roasts and stews. A special place to experiment the authentic pleasures of the territory.

Discover also the 10 best restaurants of Piedmont with divine food and low prices clicking here

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Scritto da Vincenzo Girasoli

Una vita ad immaginare e costruire un futuro che non è mai stato così chiaro e limpido. Fatto di emozioni inesauribili alla vista dei colori che questo mio Paese sa ogni giorno regalarmi. Ho viaggiato, senza mai stancarmi, per poi fermarmi dinanzi al blu del mio Mediterraneo. Lì capire che qualcosa di grande e profondo, intenso e meraviglioso, stava accadendomi; e che non mi sarei mai più fermato. Tuffandomi in quel mare sapevo che non avrei più potuto tornare indietro. Al contempo sapevo che i brividi che mi percorrevano sarebbero stati i vostri. E che insieme avremmo corso sempre più veloce verso qualcosa di puro, autentico, genuino, felice. Qualcosa che con orgoglio chiamo Idressitalian.

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