Family Holiday in Piedmont

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Piedmont for Kids  Family hotels in Piedmont offers plenty of things to see and do. There are some excellent boutique hotels and friendly restaurants. There is a good mix of museums and outdoor activities. The region is a paradise for chocolate lovers! To top that, it is a great destination from spring until late autumn.

The Must-See First stop for any kid is Alba. A sweet scent drifts in the air in this southern Piedmontese town. It's the home of Nutella. Gaze in wonder at the factory on the outskirts of the medieval city center then take a trip into the hills of the Langhe for a lesson in gourmet food. The Langhe is famous for its wine and older children will find interesting a visit to a winery with its vast vats and barrels. There is a good hands-on museum in Barolo that tells the story of wine in a bizarre and entertaining fashion perfect for younger children. Stop off at one of the regions hazelnut farms for a taste of their chocolate spread, cakes, and biscuits. Then pass by a dairy farm to try the cheese and see the sheep and cows in the barn. Explore the ancient hilltop towns like Saluzzo and Mondovi ice cream in hand. Asti springs to life during its famous medieval Palio horserace and kids will like the hot water spring in the center of Aqui Terme. History buffs will appreciate a trip to Susa to see the impressive Roman remains and Turin has one of the world's best Egyptian museums.

The Great Outdoors The rolling hills of southern Piedmont are perfect for walking and cycling as a family. Landlocked Piedmont does have one shoreline at Lake Orta in the north, which is one of the prettiest lakes in Italy. The Ligurian Alps run along the border with France and Italy to the west. The wild remote Valle Varaita is just a short drive from Saluzzo, while to the south there is spectacular mountain scenery in and around the villages of Elva and Stroppo. It is a great place for picnics and family walks. In winter you can even ski here. It's a short drive to the Ligurian coast if you fancy a dip in the sea.

The Big Day Out The capital Turin has some great museums for children. Shoot to the top of the huge tower, the Mole Antonelliana, in a glass-bottomed Wonker-style lift at the interactive Museo Nazionale del Cinema. Turin is also the home of FIAT and for budding drivers and mechanics the MAUTO car museum is a must. Hungry? Turin produces 85 000 tons of chocolate a year and invented the chocolate bar.

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