SkipHudgins

Reaching out again to Fodorites for advice. Thanks in advance for your input.
Heading to Piedmont for the first time for 8 days in May. Been to Italy 15 times, but never spent any time in this area (other than the autostrada). We prefer driving around the countryside, finding interesting towns, churches, castles, vineyard to see/visit. Present plans are 4 nights south of Alba at a B and B in town of Barolo and 4 nights east of Asti in a B and B in the countryside. Any suggestions for day trips, places to visit, towns to see, favorite eating places greatly appreciated. Read most of the earlier trip reports and articles on Piedmont in this forum, but many are dated and looking for updated info.
Thanks

frencharmoire

If you are not going to Turin then there really isn't a lot of sightseeing to do in the part of Piemonte you plan to stay. A great many of the castles in Piemonte are privately owned (some are hotels or wineries). The Renaissance didn't get to Piemonte, so the churches are not richly decorated. Interestingly there is a ornate historic synagogue in Casale Monforte, but you might need to make an appointment to see it. Almost all the tourism in Piemonte outside of Turin is about wine/"slow food", and the underground wine "cathedrals" for Asti spumante might be something you'd want to check out. I think they are a UNESCO world heritage site. Otherwise, the number of well-preserved medieval towns near whre you'll be are listed in every good guidebook. There are not that many.

I looked at Chowhound planning my trips to Piemonte. You can find a good mix of Michelin-star type restaurants and expensive places and homey family trattorie. The Slow Food guide is also good. Slow Food started in Piemonte.

neckervd

I second Frencharmoire. Are you looking for places to visit around Asti only or all over Piedmont?

mazzaschi

I think Piemonte is a wonderful place with lots to see, and it's well suited to your driving tour approach. It is especially rewarding for Baroque architecture and the Royal palaces. We just did a 2nd trip and enjoyed Mondovi, the Santuario of Vicoforte, the Basilica of Superba, and Turin itself. Last year we went to Bra, Cherasco, Saluzzo, the Staffarda Abbey, Alba (3rd visit), Cuneo, Fossano, and the Royal hunting lodge at Stupinigi. This article gives some specifics: http://www.apathtolunch.com/2015/12/...cities-in.html

Lexma90

Ask the two B & Bs that you're staying at to arrange visits for you at local wineries. We did that when we visited the area (we stayed in Monforte d'Alba, and found it very interesting - one of the wineries, quite small, is run by a woman (though her husband is involved in parts of the production).

SkipHudgins

Thanks for the advice
Frencharmoire--may do a day trip to Turin.interested in what you like as must see when limited to one day. Thanks

frencharmoire

I would deinitely go to the cinema museum in Torino, which is a lot of fun, not a staid museum. If it is a clear day, take the glass elevator inside the museum to the top of the dome to get a panoramic view of the Alps, which is magnificent. Otherwise, I would walk around admiring the architecture, drinking coffee in the historic cafes, eating chocolate in the historic shops, having a good lunch with wine, etc. I would be sure to stick my head into the Palazzo Madama to see the beautiful interior. Many people like the Egyptian museum, but I have been to the Egyptian collections in the Met in NYC, the British Museum in London and the Louvre in Paris, and I think those are better. (I've been to Egypt, too, so that may be a reason I was less interested so don't let me discourage you if you are very interested).

Agriturismo_Verdita

Mid may there is a 3 day wine event in Nizza Monferrato, if you're there during this event, it's really a must.

I love the little town of Acqui Terme, and if you have a day with bad weather, you can always go to one of the spas there (my favorite : Lago delle Sorgenti)

Here are a few nice itineraries to do with the car : http://www.winepassitaly.it/index.ph...dese/itinerary

A lot of castles are privately owned, but sometimes you can visit them or make an appointment to see them http://www.castelliaperti.it/
For example, in the village where I live (Merana) there is a medieval tower you can climb ... and we're the ones who have the key

There are lots and lots of wineries to visit, but it's better to make an appointment beforehand, because there are not very touristy and not always open.

Have fun in our beautiful region !