My Journey to Piedmont, Italy: Bra, Pollenzo and Alba

The Piedmont (Piemonte), which means foothill, is one of the regions of Italy. Its capital, Turin (Torino), is a very important business and cultural centre. The Piedmont's borders with France and Switzerland add a very interesting and sophisticated influence.

Piedmont and the Langhe Region, are world known for the production of cheese and wine. As you travel around this region, you can see beautiful vineyards and fields along the way.

Bra and Alba are two of the largest cities in Cuneo, one of the provinces of the Piedmont. Cuneo is the third largest province in Italy after Bolzano and Foggia. Pollenzo, a smaller city, is famous for the Slow Food Movement and the University of Gastronomic Sciences.

Moving around Italy by train is the most wonderful, inexpensive, convenient and relaxing experience. You can see everything that you would have missed if you had travelled by plane. It is my favourite option 

Italy has seven different railway lines that connect the whole country. From fast speed 1st class trains to local services stopping everywhere.

Depending on the season of the year, you can make reservations ahead or just buy tickets on the day of travel.

From Turin to Bra:
There are hourly scheduled trains for travelling from Turin to Bra. Leaving from the Porta Nuova Train Station, the trip takes approximately 60 minutes

From Turin (Porta Nuova) to Alba:
Take the train to Bra where you must change trains and take the additional 20 minute ride. Total lenght of the trip 1 hour and 30 minutes.

From Bra to Pollenzo:
There is no train station in Pollenzo. The best way to go is by taking Bus No.2 at the bus station across the Bra Train Station. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes.

Other travel options could be from the City of Cuneo to any of these cities but the trips take longer.

For more information about train and bus schedules in Italy, visit the Trenitalia and the iBus Official Websites.

Bra is a small baroque city but the third most populated in the province; located at the outskirts of the Langhe Hills. You can get around by foot visiting its churches, restaurants, coffee shops and historical landmarks. People in Bra are friendly and will be willing to help you find your way.

Among the touristic spots in Bra you can visit is the Palazzo Traversa, one of the last of the medieval buildings in the city. It was built in the 15th Century, by the Malabayla di Asti.

Every two years in September, Bra is home to the Cheese Festival "La Forme del Latte" (milk shape). Cheese producers and gourmands from all over the world gather there for an exquisite display of the finest cheeses from Italy and all over the world.

Bra is birthplace to San Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, an Italian Saint born on May 3, 1786, to whom I want to dedicate this space. 

Il Cottolengo, as he is best known, offered his life to help the poor and sick. He is the founder of The Little House of the Divine Providence ("Piccola Casa della Divina Provvidenza") in Turin. The Cottolengo died on April 30, 1842 and he was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934.

The Cottolengo, (Couttolenc), arrived to Italy from Barcelonnette in the Valley of the Ubaye, Haut Provence, France. Once settled in Bra, they changed their last name to Cottolengo.

L' Agenzia, a castle that belonged to the Savoy (Savoia), is the town's main attraction.

Today, L'Agenzia di Pollenzo, is a beautiful hotel and home to The University of Gastronomic Sciences (photo), founded by Carlo Petrini (from Bra). He also created the Slow Food Movement, an alternative to fast food, promoting a new way of eating, searching for the best quality in food and promoting the protection of biodeversity. 

The castle was named World Heritage by the UNESCO in 1997.

Alba is considered the capital of the Langhe, famous for its white truffles, peaches and wine. It is only 45 miles away from Turin 

Every Saturday is market day in Alba, a great opportunity to walk around, meet people and to taste fruits, cheese and different products from the region.

The City of Alba hosts two annual International Festivals: The Wine Festival, in April, and the White Truffle Festival, in October. Wine connoisseurs gather at Alba to taste the best wines in Italy and others from all over the world. To know more about these festivals, please visit: Fiera Internazionale Tartufo Bianco d'Alba. (English Version available).

Piedmont 1/E (Lonely Planet Piedmont)

The best guide for your trip around the Piedmont.

One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns of Italy (101 Beautiful Small Towns) [Hardcover]

Visit these beautiful towns, through images and photos.

Italian, Basic: Learn to Speak and Understand Italian with Pimsleur Language Programs

Learn Italian! The language of Romance

1,000 Italian Recipes (1,000 Recipes)

Learn Italian! The language of Romance

The wine cellar at Canale, "L'Enoteca del Roero" was founded in 1994 by the Wine Society of the Roero. It is a beautiful buiding that was founded in 1260 and currently it shows an architectural style from the end of the 1800's.

During your visit, you can taste wines from more than 800 producers and also enjoy a delicious dinner at its Michelin's 5 Star awarded restaurant.

Italian Wine by italianart

Alba and the Piedmonte are not only famous for wine, cheese, delicious sausages and many more exquisite recipes. They are also home to Ferrero Rocher, the most famous Chocolate Factory in the World.

To learn more about Ferrero Rocher, their delicious chocolate products, and where you can find them: Visit the Ferrero Rocher Official Site or send an email through the email contact form at: Ferrero Rocher Italia.
The contact form is in Italian but the instructions are easy to follow.

Travel through woods, mountains and valleys, beautiful vineyards, cereal and pasture fields as you visit historical and artistic points of interest.

Experience a gastronomic adventure as you taste delicious, pastries, sausages, cheese, wine and many other regional specialties that have made the Piemontese food and the Slow Food Movement, worldwide famous.

Recco's Still Life with Bread, Tart and Ham by YesterdayCafe

Among the interesting places that you can visit on your field trips around Bra, Pollenzo and Alba, are the towers and the Castle of Monticello that belonged to the Feudal Counts of Roero.

Along the Rocks of the Roero and hills that go from Alba to Corneliano, visit the Sommariva Perno Castle, and the architectural delight of Baroque churches and remains of Romanesque Chapels and Sanctuaries.