Piedmont: Gastronomy, History and Beautiful Landscapes

It is time for the next installment from our guest blogger, Alexandre Rotenberg. Alexandre is based in Italy and is a photographer and cycle touring enthusiast. He enjoys exploring the beautiful areas of Italy by bicycle and contacted me about sharing his writing and photography work with the Cycling Touring Community.

This is the third of four great posts from Alexandre. Yet again, some some fantastic photos from Alexandre's bicycle touring journeys. Hope you enjoy!

If you would like to see Alexandre's other posts, check them out.

https://www.cycletouring.org/blog/entry/cycle-tourism-along-milan-s-canal-navigli-network

https://www.cycletouring.org/blog/entry/the-journey-is-more-important-than-the-destination

I’ve always had a fascination with the north western Italian region of Piedmont, with its perfect combination of gastronomy, history and beautiful scenery. In fact, the name Piedmont is derived from Latin loosely translated to the foot of the mountains, as its bordered by the snow-covered Alps to the west towards France and to the north towards Switzerland. 

During the late spring I was fortunate to cycle 160km over three days, starting from the rice-growing plains near the Po river passing through the historic cities of Alessandria, Acqui Terme, Canelli, Alba and ultimately Asti.  Some of the climbs were extremely challenging, but I was rewarded with idyllic views of the UNESCO World Heritage Langhe-Roero & Monferrato wine regions.

On a separate occasion I explored the Piedmontese capital, Turin, with its wide pedestrianised, boutique cafes and rich gastronomy. 

The route took me through the heart of Piedmont 

Turin

Turin, with its elegant squares and palaces, is the first capital of unified Italy when the kingdom of Italy was unified in 1861. The city, is often mistakenly overlooked for more popular destinations such as Rome, Florence and Venice which I rather enjoy since it retains its authentic character. In particular, the city offers a unique and relaxing vibe with its boutique cafes, world-class museums such as the Egyptian museum & Galleria Sabauda and diverse & distinct cuisine. 

About the Author

Alexandre Rotenberg is a semi-professional photographer and touring cycling enthusiast based in Milan.