When it comes to Italy, it's hard to decide which place gets the top spot. Crystal-clear lakes, secluded coves, breathtaking slopes and charming villages – the country has absolutely every ingredient for a perfect holiday year-round.
As a southern Italian, my home region will always have my heart – and I'm sure the best beaches in Calabria would steal yours too – but there is a region up in the north that has always been one of my favourite places to visit in the world, and that's Piedmont.
I'm a big fan of city breaks, and I am convinced that Turin is one of the best places in Italy for an urban getaway. What makes the city special, though, is its proximity to a lot of natural wonders, and that includes the UNESCO World Heritage-listed vineyard landscapes of Langhe–Roero and Monferrato.
The rolling hills of Piedmont
The main square in La Morra
The region has just been named the second-best wine region in Europe for 2027 by European Best Destinations, gaining an almost perfect score of 18.8 out of 20 for Wine Region Score and 9.7 out of 10 for Wine Excellence Experience Index. The first place went to Stajerska Slovenija in Slovenia.
Some might be surprised not to see Tuscany and the Chianti region in the top three – Chianti Rufina comes fifth, behind Ribeira Sacra in Spain and Kamptal in Austria – but I'm delighted to see Piedmont getting the attention it deserves.
Borgo Monchiero's views over the hills
The region is home to some of the most loved Italian wines and is a paradise for anyone who particularly enjoys red wine. Barolo is king, of course, but Barbaresco and the region's Barbera and Nebbiolo reds are equally worth trying.
As much as I love the wine, the reason I keep coming back to the region year after year is the landscape – lush rolling hills, snow-capped mountains, historic villages and plenty of things to see and do. Every year, I make time for a truffle hunt – and the subsequent eating of the truffles – a different winery tour and a visit to a new village or castle, and somehow I have still only scratched the surface.
If you are looking for the perfect base for your road trip around the region, look no further than Borgo Monchiero. This hotel occupies a beautifully restored 18th-century monastery, complete with a historic church dating back to 1752, an outdoor pool, a lovely restaurant and sweeping views over the surrounding hills. Here are my favourite vineyards, bars and restaurants to eat in the region.
Where to eat and drink in Langhe–Roero and Monferrato
Drogheria di Langa
If you want to eat well, you are in the right place in Piedmont. There are countless excellent family-run restaurants to try, but if I had to choose one it would be the Drogheria di Langa. Here you will find all the classics of Piedmontese tradition including tajarin (the Piedmont name for tagliolini, thin ribbons of egg pasta), agnolotti del plin (small pinched stuffed pasta parcels), fassona tartare and vitello tonnato (thinly sliced veal with a tuna sauce). The restaurant also organises pasta-making classes, if you want to learn how to reproduce your favourites at home.
Aperitivo at Vineria Sociale in La Morra
Vitello tonnato for lunch at Drogheria di Langa
La Rei Natura
The region is home to many incredible restaurants, and quite a few of them are Michelin-starred. If you are planning on treating yourself to an incredible culinary experience, La Rei Natura is the place to go. Chef Michelangelo Mammoliti has earned three stars thanks to his inventive interpretations of traditional dishes, his attention to detail and the incredible flavours packed into his creations. Most of the vegetables and herbs used in the kitchen come straight from the restaurant's garden, and it's this attention to the quality of the ingredients that sets the chef apart. If I could choose to have one dish over and over again, it would be Tita's Spaghetti, a reinterpretation of one of the chef's family recipes
Vineria Sociale
One of the best Italian exports ever is the art of the aperitivo, and in the region there is an excellent selection of vineyards, wine bars and restaurants showcasing the region's finest bottles. If you are looking for a casual aperitivo on a terrace, in a charming hilltop village, Vineria Sociale is my personal favourite. This wine bar is located in La Morra, a cute town in the province of Cuneo. I love spending hours sipping wine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Church of San Martino. It specialises in natural wines, which marry perfectly with its selection of local delicacies – from cured meats and cheeses to traditional dishes like vitello tonnato and fassona tartare.
Vineyards to visit
A trip to the region wouldn't be complete without a visit to at least one winery, and luckily there are plenty to choose from, offering everything from casual tastings to guided tours of historic cellars. One of my favourites is Poderi Luigi Einaudi in Dogliani, a historic estate founded in 1897, where you can explore its striking underground winery and sample some of the region's finest wines, including Barolo and Nebbiolo. Another great option is Cascina Chicco in nearby Roero, a family-run winery with an impressive underground cellar covering 5,000 square metres at a depth of 28 metres beneath the hill. Here, visitors can tour the cellars before enjoying a tasting of the estate's wines, including its excellent Roero reds and whites. Both wineries offer guided visits and tastings, so make sure to book ahead.