Sara’s guidebook
Sightseeing, Shopping and History
Asti is the capital of the province of Asti, one of most important wine areas in Italy, and lends its name to some illustrious wines, such as Moscato d'Asti. Central Asti is quite compact and there is a large and reasonably well preserved historical centre which is easy to walk around. Whilst a historical city there are also lots of shops, bars and restaurants to visit. I would recommend visiting in May, June or September when the weather is beautifully warm and the sites are less busy!
105 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Asti
Asti is the capital of the province of Asti, one of most important wine areas in Italy, and lends its name to some illustrious wines, such as Moscato d'Asti. Central Asti is quite compact and there is a large and reasonably well preserved historical centre which is easy to walk around. Whilst a historical city there are also lots of shops, bars and restaurants to visit. I would recommend visiting in May, June or September when the weather is beautifully warm and the sites are less busy!
Milan is financially the most important city in Italy, and home to the Borsa Italiana stock exchange. It is the second most populous city proper in the country, but sits at the centre of Italy's largest urban and metropolitan area. While not considered as beautiful as some Italian cities, having been greatly destroyed by Second World War bomb raids, the city has rebuilt itself into a thriving cosmopolitan business capital. In essence, for a tourist, what makes Milan interesting compared to other places is that the city is truly more about the lifestyle of enjoying worldly pleasures: a paradise for shopping, football, opera, and nightlife. Milan remains the marketplace for Italian fashion – fashion aficionados, supermodels and international paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs.
Milan is famous for its wealth of historical and modern sights - the Duomo, one of the biggest and grandest Gothic cathedrals in the world, La Scala, one of the best established opera houses in the world, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a glamorous 19th-century arcaded shopping gallery, the Brera art gallery, with some of the finest artistic works in Europe, the Pirelli tower, a majestic example of 1960s modernist Italian architecture, the San Siro, a huge and famed stadium, or the Castello Sforzesco, a grand medieval castle. So, you have your fair share of old and new monuments. Plus, it contains one of the world's most famous paintings - Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. I would recommend visiting in May, June or September when the weather is beautifully warm and the sites are less busy!
557 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Milan
Milan is financially the most important city in Italy, and home to the Borsa Italiana stock exchange. It is the second most populous city proper in the country, but sits at the centre of Italy's largest urban and metropolitan area. While not considered as beautiful as some Italian cities, having been greatly destroyed by Second World War bomb raids, the city has rebuilt itself into a thriving cosmopolitan business capital. In essence, for a tourist, what makes Milan interesting compared to other places is that the city is truly more about the lifestyle of enjoying worldly pleasures: a paradise for shopping, football, opera, and nightlife. Milan remains the marketplace for Italian fashion – fashion aficionados, supermodels and international paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs.
Milan is famous for its wealth of historical and modern sights - the Duomo, one of the biggest and grandest Gothic cathedrals in the world, La Scala, one of the best established opera houses in the world, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a glamorous 19th-century arcaded shopping gallery, the Brera art gallery, with some of the finest artistic works in Europe, the Pirelli tower, a majestic example of 1960s modernist Italian architecture, the San Siro, a huge and famed stadium, or the Castello Sforzesco, a grand medieval castle. So, you have your fair share of old and new monuments. Plus, it contains one of the world's most famous paintings - Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. I would recommend visiting in May, June or September when the weather is beautifully warm and the sites are less busy!
A few kms from Nº18 is T'asti, a rather special artisan baker and chef makes cakes and sweet things to die for, if you're here celebrating something or just love sweets, talk to us about ordering something or better still enrol in a cookery course to enhance your skills!
Cardona
A few kms from Nº18 is T'asti, a rather special artisan baker and chef makes cakes and sweet things to die for, if you're here celebrating something or just love sweets, talk to us about ordering something or better still enrol in a cookery course to enhance your skills!
Food scene
A beautiful city full of rich history today it also has plenty of high quality restaurants and bars which you can stumble across whilst sightseeing. The wines of local vineyards are also a plenty and you'll be spoilt for choice! I would recommend visiting in May, June or September when the weather is beautifully warm and the sites are less busy! Or of course October for the famous Truffle Fair.
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Alba
A beautiful city full of rich history today it also has plenty of high quality restaurants and bars which you can stumble across whilst sightseeing. The wines of local vineyards are also a plenty and you'll be spoilt for choice! I would recommend visiting in May, June or September when the weather is beautifully warm and the sites are less busy! Or of course October for the famous Truffle Fair.
Truffles are a big deal! Travellers, foodies and gourmet establishments travel from all over the world for the truffle season starting September through October throughout the region. Many truffle markets and fairs crop up. Moncalvo is the closest one just 5 minutes away.
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I-Alba International White Truffle Fair
Piazzetta Giovanni FalconeTruffles are a big deal! Travellers, foodies and gourmet establishments travel from all over the world for the truffle season starting September through October throughout the region. Many truffle markets and fairs crop up. Moncalvo is the closest one just 5 minutes away.
Wine tasting is one thing most people experience at least once in this area, and I can't say I recommend one place over another as you'll find 0,000s to choose from. However Castello Razzano is probably the closest and is a beaut! Fine wines, everyday wines for all tastes and you can also book cheese and hams to satisfy your appetite! Book ahead as it's likely to get booked up!
Alfiano Natta
Wine tasting is one thing most people experience at least once in this area, and I can't say I recommend one place over another as you'll find 0,000s to choose from. However Castello Razzano is probably the closest and is a beaut! Fine wines, everyday wines for all tastes and you can also book cheese and hams to satisfy your appetite! Book ahead as it's likely to get booked up!
Sightseeing
Torino is a large city of about one million inhabitants, is set in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, a one-hour drive from the French border and slightly more than that from the Mediterranean sea. It's famous for being the home of Italy's royal family. Today, Turin, with its fine, aristocratic atmosphere, old world sophisticated shops, grand boulevards and palaces, leafy parks, and several art galleries, is an increasingly popular tourist resort. The 2006 Winter Olympics, and its status the same year as World Book Capital, have prompted tourists to visit this beautiful and underestimated Italian city, which has a longstanding cultural and artistic history. I would recommend visiting in May, June or September when the weather is beautifully warm and the sites are less busy!
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Turin
Torino is a large city of about one million inhabitants, is set in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, a one-hour drive from the French border and slightly more than that from the Mediterranean sea. It's famous for being the home of Italy's royal family. Today, Turin, with its fine, aristocratic atmosphere, old world sophisticated shops, grand boulevards and palaces, leafy parks, and several art galleries, is an increasingly popular tourist resort. The 2006 Winter Olympics, and its status the same year as World Book Capital, have prompted tourists to visit this beautiful and underestimated Italian city, which has a longstanding cultural and artistic history. I would recommend visiting in May, June or September when the weather is beautifully warm and the sites are less busy!
In about 2 hours you can be at the seaside! Beautiful seafront towns and beaches await around the city of Genoa which can be reached by car (recommended) or train if you want to visit the coastal city. A little further afield is Portofino and Cinque Terre some of the most famous locations on the Med! Summer can be very hot & busy so try May, June or September for a beautiful experience!
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Mediterranean Sea
In about 2 hours you can be at the seaside! Beautiful seafront towns and beaches await around the city of Genoa which can be reached by car (recommended) or train if you want to visit the coastal city. A little further afield is Portofino and Cinque Terre some of the most famous locations on the Med! Summer can be very hot & busy so try May, June or September for a beautiful experience!
The annual Palio in Asti takes place in September every year, and while the event divides opinion, there is no doubt it remains a spectacle most want to see at least once.
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Asti
The annual Palio in Asti takes place in September every year, and while the event divides opinion, there is no doubt it remains a spectacle most want to see at least once.
Neighbourhoods
E bike hire is a must to experience the beautiful countryside around this area. Fabulous views from hilltop towns and rolling hills, and let the electric motor take the strain! E Bike hire is available through a local shop with a large choice of e bikes and regular bikes for the fitter of us! May, June & September offer weather more suited to biking and taking long leisurely rides!
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Moncalvo
E bike hire is a must to experience the beautiful countryside around this area. Fabulous views from hilltop towns and rolling hills, and let the electric motor take the strain! E Bike hire is available through a local shop with a large choice of e bikes and regular bikes for the fitter of us! May, June & September offer weather more suited to biking and taking long leisurely rides!
Just 500m from Nº18 is Cascina Vicentini, and the proprietor there is a qualified bee keeper offering short (day/half day) courses on bee keeping and honey production, tasting and produce available too!
Sanico
Just 500m from Nº18 is Cascina Vicentini, and the proprietor there is a qualified bee keeper offering short (day/half day) courses on bee keeping and honey production, tasting and produce available too!
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ungaphoswa
Thursday is market day in Moncalvo
The market is a must for fresh produce and especially cheeses and hams. There is a bigger market in Asti on some Sundays selling antiques.
Izinto omele uzipakishe
Depending on season!
The seasons are beautiful and each has a different feel: Spring and autumn are our favourite time of the year, both enjoy lovely warm sunny temperatures and lovely evening skies.
Summer is hot and so light clothing & a hat is a must, so is sun protection & anti mosquito spray! Winter is cold as we are not far from ski resorts (@2hours) and so pack layers, spring and autumn are very pleasant and warm and summer clothes will do the trick during the daytime. Walking shoes are advisable if you walk the dog or yourself there are plenty of off road trails to follow.
Bhukisha ngaphambi kokuba uhambe
Wine tasting & the Egyptian Museum
Wine tasting is very popular and booking is recommended. Eating our at the top restaurants is also recommended, and there are many top restaurants! The Egyptian museum in Turin is the largest collection of Egyptian artefacts in the world and there are always queues in the summer as there are to the Mole Antonelliana the museum of cinema!
Ungaphoswa
Alba, Barolo and the famous wine towns are a must!
A short trip south see's you in some of the most famous Italian wine cities & towns - Asti, Alba, & Barolo to name a few! It's a good 2-3 days if you take your time and the local food is incredible!
Ukuhamba nabantwana
Child friendly at the house
We have 2 high chairs for children aside from those you will need to bring anything your child needs during your stay. If you have specific requests for children then let us know and we'll do our very best.