ITALY’S PIEMONTE REGION

AGRITOURISM IS ALL THE RAGE AS A DELECTABLE ALTERNATIVE TO EXPLORING THE AREA’S RICH ENO-GASTRONOMIC TRADITIONS

Villas, Castles, and Farmhouse Vacations are an out of the Ordinary Experience Allowing Travelers to Immerse themselves in the  Food and Wine Heritage of the Region that’s Home to the Slow Food Movement

NEW YORK – July 14, 2009 – Food and wine aficionados traveling to Italy’s Piemonte region, home to the Slow Food Movement, and well famed for its rich culinary traditions and award-winning wines, can immerse themselves in the classic pleasures of the area’s deeply rooted enogastronomic heritage through numerous and one-of-a-kind agritourism options. Piemonte’s history filled farmhouses are typically family-run operations based on or around villas, castles, and wineries that can include a wide range of accommodations from a bed and breakfast to large apartments and individual houses complete with fully equipped kitchens and private baths.

Piemonte is home to a variety of local food festivals, with some of the most important held in the fall season, including the Piemonte Hazelnut Festival in early September, the Slow Food International Cheese Fair in September in the town of Bra, and the Alba National Truffle Fair in October.

Travelers may also have the opportunity to participate in individual activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking, swimming, hiking, and golfing. Guests can experience first-hand the local history and culture by dining with host families, assisting in the grape harvest, working in the vineyards and hazelnut groves or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Following are some farmhouses throughout the region, each reflecting the many charms and appeals of Piemonte’s diverse areas:  

Zabaldano - Asti Province

This farmhouse lies at the southern end of Piemonte in the province of Asti. The farm buildings are near the top of a hill overlooking the Bormida River valley and, depending on the season, guests can partake in some of the farm’s activities that include working in the vineyard and the hazelnut groves, making hay, and harvesting grapes. In late autumn, truffle fairs are held in all nearby towns. This restored farmhouse has three small apartments that include a double bedroom, a bathroom with a tub or shower, and a large sitting room/kitchen with one extra sofa bed. The location of the farmhouse is also ideal for walking, mountain biking tours, bird watching, and picking wild mushrooms. A 9-hole golf course and an Olympic size pool are only a half hour’s drive away in Acqui Terme, a town famous for its health and beauty spa.

Cascina Foresto - Biella Province

Built in 1750, this farmhouse is surrounded by the natural preserve of the Baraggia Orientale National Park. Here a mountain guide can be provided to go exploring through the Biellese Alps or trekking with donkeys through the National Park. The farmhouse is surrounded with trails making it perfect for mountain biking and horseback riding. It has four double bedrooms with a television, a large reading room with a fireplace, and a dining room for guests looks out onto the farm courtyard. The Biellese area is home to many medieval villages and is rich in art, culture, and traditions.

Cascina Timoteo - Torino Province

Immersed in the green hills of the lower Pellice Valley, this ancient farmhouse dates back to the 17^th century. Its location offers spectacular views of the surrounding valley and is ideal for going on excursions along mountain paths either on foot or by bicycle. Various sporting facilities are available in the area such as riding stables and ski slopes and throughout the year a host of events are held that feature traditional music and dance. Cascina Timoteo produces typical local items and boasts a prestigious snail farm and sturgeon fishery. The farmhouse can accommodate up to 24 people in eight rooms and each room has a bathroom with a shower, satellite television, telephone, internet connection, and mini-bar.

Il Cavenago - Novara Province

This seventeenth century villa is situated on the hills of Moreno between the countryside of Novara and the Alps. Il Cavenago was ex Conte Cavenago’s country house in 1650 and is today one of the most ancient buildings in the town of Ghemme[Back to Press Releases Main]