Piedmont is literally “at the foot of the mountains”. This expansively elegant region in the north-west of Italy occupies a unique position between the majestic Alps to its north and coastal Liguria to the south. From the heady buzz, regal portici and piazze of the main metropolis Turin, to the verdant rolling vineyards of the Langhe (a Unesco world heritage site), Piedmont’s geography has shaped its landscapes, culinary specialties and its culture and customs.
“For some time Piedmont was a hidden gem, now it’s much more well known thanks to its food and drink producers, as well as major sporting events,” says Maria Elena Rossi from the Italian Tourist Board, who has a personal and professional bond with the region; she raised her family in Piedmont, and also worked on Turin’s successful bid for the 2006 Winter Olympics.
