La Boutique Piemonteisa

Let’s head to the Alessandria region, in southern Piedmont, where Ligurian influences start to become more prominent. Gavi Ligure is a municipality with very ancient origins located in the Lemme Valley, in the province of Alessandria, in the Upper Monferrato region of Piedmont. The town has retained its name “Ligure” to this day, as it was under the rule of the Republic of Genoa for a long period. It is recognized as an “Orange Flag” destination by the Italian Touring Club and is especially renowned for the production of Cortese di Gavi DOCG , one of the most famous white wines in the world. This wine pairs excellently with white fish dishes, as well as with smoked salmon, oysters, clams, and prawns. The rolling hills of the Gavi area take their name from the town itself, which lies between the districts of Tortona and Ovada, near the border between Liguria and Piedmont. In the past, Gavi was completely surrounded by walls, remnants of which can still be seen today in certain sect...

  We discover the last Piedmontese section of Lake Maggiore with what it has to offer. If you find yourself exploring Lake Maggiore, you cannot miss the beauty hidden along the road that connects Verbania to Cannobio, a route that winds through breathtaking landscapes, picturesque villages and unspoilt nature. This area, which embraces the Piedmont shore of the lake and borders the Ticino, is a real jewel to be discovered, without haste and with the desire to be surprised. Verbania: the starting point The journey begins in Verbania, the main town of Verbano, a place worth visiting before setting off. With its lakeside promenade, elegant parks and historic villas, Verbania in itself offers a pleasant introduction to the lake. If you have time, a visit to Villa Taranto is a must: the botanical garden is one of the most beautiful in Italy, a riot of flowers, exotic plants and spectacular views of the lake. From Verbania, start your journey northwards, skirting the lake and immersi...

  We continue our series on the Sacred Mounts by heading into the Verbano area. The Sacred Mount of Ghiffa is located along the slopes of Mount Cargiago, in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (Piedmont region). This Sacred Mount consists of three chapels, dedicated respectively to the Coronation of the Virgin Mary, to Saint John the Baptist, and to Abraham. The path is completed by the 18th-century portico with fourteen arches that hosts the Via Crucis, flanked by the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity. It is the smallest among the Sacred Mounts of Piedmont. On Mount Cargiago, overlooking the western shore of Lake Maggiore, a Romanesque oratory dedicated to the Trinity had already been built in the 13th century. This is a special place, considered miraculous by local tradition and, as such, a destination for pilgrimages. Dirt roads and trails once connected the lake to Mount Cargiago, making it easier for pilgrims to travel. Along these mule tra...