National Geographic Traveler Piedmont & Northwest Italy

Veteran travel writer and Italy expert Tim Jepson showcases this fascinating, varied, little known realm, beginning with the baroque city of Turin. For years the Savoy family stronghold, the stately city's reputation has in recent decades been tied to its car-making legacy. All that is changing, however, as an enormous drive is afoot to polish up the place. Baroque cafcs, pedestrian-only piazzas, and opulent palaces abound. The tour includes the fabulous Piazza San Carlo, home of the Museo Egizio, considered the finest collection of Egyptian antiquities outside Egypt; the ornate Palazzo Reale, a Savoy royal palace; the Cathedral, world-renowned for the Shroud of Turin it protects inside; and the unusual Mole Antonelliana, home to a fascinating moving picture museum.

On Turin's west and north horizons rise Alps's jagged, snowcapped peaks. In the Valle di Susa, to the west of town, state-of-the-art facilities will house visitors and athletes from around the world for the 2006 Winter Olympics. In this corner, too, awaits the Parco delle Alpi Marittime, a lofty national park with several peaks towering more than 10,000 feet.

The southern Piedmont is a gently rolling landscape covered with vines. The exquisite Barolo, Dolcetto, Moscato, Barbesco, and Barbera wines come from here, and there are plenty of chances to taste. The medieval town of Alba is charming, with pedestrian streets filled with local specialties, while Asti is an artistic and important wine-producing center.

Northeast of Turin you'll discover the magnificent Lakes country. The mix of beautiful scenery and culture has drawn the rich and famous to Lake Maggiore for centuries (explaining the opulent hotels along its shore). Short boat rides take you to the three Borromeo Islands, with their immaculate gardens (with white peacocks), castles, and lakeview restaurants. At nearby Lake Orta, you can take another boat ride to the tiny island of San Giulio, featuring a monastery founded in the 4th century.

In the northern mountains, the star sight is the fabled Valle d'Aosta, a stunning valley featuring fairy-tale castles, Roman remains, and lots of skiing. Here, too, is the Parco Nazionale des Gran Paradiso, Italy's first ever national park, and unquestionably its most spectacular.

The guide also includes several excursions, including Cinque Terre, the five charming fishing villages linked by a walking path that overlooks the sea; and the bustling port city of Genoa.

Several indepth features introduce you to special aspects of this region, including discussions on truffles; the role of the Fiat business; contemporary art in Turin; and the Slow Food Movement (a global reaction to fast food). As with all other guides in the series, several walking and driving tours are presented, including a walk through Turin's fascinating Quadrilatero Romano neighborhood; and a drive through the Valle d'Aosta.

The guide also includes a detailed chapter describing the history and culture of the Piedmont and Northwest Italy, and another chapter full of practical information, including how to get around the region, an extensive listing of handpicked hotels and restaurants, and selective activities and entertainment options.

A passionate, lifelong devotee to Italy, and fluent Italian speaker, Tim Jepson has written 17 books on the country and its various regions, including National Geographic Traveler: Italy; National Geographic Traveler: Florence & Tuscany; and National Geographic Traveler: Sicily. Now based in London with the Daily Telegraph, Tim continues to visit Italy regularly and, as a keen hiker and outdoor enthusiast, he particular enjoys the country's splendid mountains and wilderness areas. An Oxford University graduate, he has also worked on Italian programs for the BBC and other television channels.