More Turin luxury accommodation after the Villa Matilde Relais is available at the Bella Rosina Relais near Venaria Reale, in the Mandria national park. It might not have the same grand setting as other Italian villas, but it has some lovely views and is utterly private.

In a romantic atmosphere, the Bella Rosina Relais offers access to a golf course, Italian health spa, and excellent cuisine offering organic products. In the Bella Rosina gallery you can see the mix of modern and country-style furnishings, and the romance of the surrounding national park.

See the Bella Rosina Relais website for luxury accommodation packages including spring wellness stays, resurgence-themed menus, celebrations for the 150-year anniversary of Italian unification and golf packages.

Continue reading: Luxury Turin accommodation: Villa Matilde Relais

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If you never had the chance to visit Piedmont with its vineyards and rolling green hills, you can’t afford to miss this offer by the Relais San Maurizio at Santo Stefano Belbo, near Cuneo. Surrounded by century old trees, the Relais has a lot to offer; from four golf courses and outdoor swimming pool to high-cuisine restaurants and wine bars (their wine lists include Moscato, Barbaresco, Barolo and Arneis) . The place also features a state of the art spa which is famous throughout the region for its rejuvenating springs of thermal water.

Continue reading: Luxury hotels in Piedmont: Relais San Maurizio,near Cuneo

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With its elegant surroundings, relaxed atmosphere, the Boscareto Resort & Spa at Serralunga d’Alba, Piedmont, is a haven for holiday-makers from all over Italy and beyond; their reputation is second to none for quality and friendly service, so if you are looking for a place where to relax and enjoy the pleasures of life, you don’t need to look any further: the Boscareto resort and Spa with its stylish rooms, first class service and beautiful landscape is what you need!

Continue reading: Luxury holidays in Piedmont:: Boscareto Resort & Spa, Serralunga

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If you have always dreamed of living in an old castle, you can now make your dream come true; located near the lovely town of Tortona, Piedmont, the Brignano Frascata castle is up for sale. With its beautiful frescoes, sculptured fireplaces and precious furniture, the 3,000 square metre castle has retained its original layout and ancient aura. The estate grounds are accented by stunning gardens, vineyards and old church; all this can now be yours for “only” 6 million euros!

Continue reading: Italian castle up for sale near Tortona

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In the Antrona valley in the Piedmont region there’s a small village which lies in the dark shadow of a high mountain; for centuries, the hamlet had to make do with it but a few years ago a huge mirror deflecting the sun’s rays was placed on a mountainside above Viganella and the problem was solved once for all. So for the first time in its history, the village could enjoy sunshine in winter! The news of an artificial sun in Viganella - as you can imagine - attracted droves of journalists and tourists; the only drawback was that the village had no hotels and restaurants to welcome them! So, according to Viganella’s new mayor, the village definitely missed its boat! Well, may be it’s not too late; after all the sun is still shining in Viganella!

Source | La Stampa
Photo | Flickr

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Are you in the mood for a romantic getaway? Do you feel the spirit of Christmas in the air ? If so you can’t afford to miss this unique opportunity to spend Christmas Day at Castello Dal Pozzo, a beautiful castle which a few years ago was converted into a posh 5 star hotel! Located on Lake Maggiore, this gorgeous 18th century mansion is surrounded by an amazing park in which guests can take long walks and immerse in nature. The offer includes dinner on December 24 (59 euros per person) and brunch on Christmas day (65 euros per person). On New Year’s eve the hotel will host a Pirates of Caribbean party. So if you are a fan of the saga, you can’t miss it! Price: 218 euros. For further information click here.

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The 12th white truffle auction took place at the Grinzane Cavour castle with the white Alba truffles gaining over 307,000 euros in auction sales. The 13 truffles from Alba under the hammer were all sold with the best example going to a Hong Kong bidder for 105,000 euros. Another was bought by a local Piedmontese bidder for 100,000 euros. Other truffles were bought by Chinese wine expert Jeannie Cho Lee, and a Cuneo entrepreneur in the green energy business, Antonio Bertolotto.

The latter will donate his two truffles to Pope Benedict XVI and to Michele Ferrero of Ferrero company fame who has contributed much to Italy’s international image. The white truffle auction is becoming quite an event and Italy is enjoying some flashy touches, setting up real time connection with some of the world’s most renowned restaurants. And it’s certainly a curiosity for non afficionados who look on as bidders haggle over the diminutive fungi.

Via satellite connection there was the world famous 8 e ½ Italian restaurant in Hong Kong and some Italian celebrities came out for the occasion, including Enzo Iacchetti from the satirical Striscia la Notizia show. Guest of honour was Italian senate president Renato Schifani. The auction proceeds go to philanthropic and educational initiatives.

Source | Castellogrinzane.com

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This quirky Italian cheese features a comic strip on the crust and will go on show at the Turin food festival from October 21-25. The cheese is called Gran Kinara and is an aged cheese made from real vegetable curd or rennet. The cheese is from Fattorie Fiandino who have been making cheese for 150 years in Piedmont.

The idea for the comic book design comes from celebrating the 1861 unification of Italy and the anniversary of one of the founders of the cheese company, Magno Fiandino. The two entrepreneur cousins now involved in the business, Egidio and Mario Fiandino, decided to ask designer Giorgio Sommacal his help to design the history of Italy across the cheese crust.

It’s quite unusual to see the great protagonists of Italian history - Mazzini, Cavour, Garibaldi and co - adorning the crust of a cheese in comic strip fashion but their should certainly be a few extra visitors at the Fiandino stand at the event because of it. If you’re at the Italian food festival, called the Salone del Gusto, you’ll find Fattorie Fiandino in hall two, stand G016.

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Italy’s Villa Crespi luxury hotel at Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta in Piedmont is a small piece of history in these parts. While it has a private helicopter for trips to view the gardens of the villa, and one of Italy’s two-star Michelin restaurants, the hotel is not just about luxury but also about history.

It was built by Cristoforo Benigno Crespi, a wealthy cotton merchant from Lombardy, who designed it as a holiday home for his family. He wanted to create it in Islamic style, to remember the many Muslim countries that he had travelled in as part of his work. The architecture is truly spectacular with rich, elaborate Moorish colours and shapes which catch the eye and hold its attention.

Currently under restoration is the minaret with its cast iron staircase which will be the future reading room for the four-star Villa Crespi. The hotel has 14 rooms, ten of which are suites and all decorated in a style specific to each. There is a fitness centre and top-end wine cellar which once functioned as prayer rooms when the villa was of ecclesiastic ownership.

The Villa Crespi is a perfect location for a luxury weekend trip from Milan or even Malpensa airport. With its secluded grounds and superb restaurant, it provides a romantic atmosphere. Beautiful and of cultural significance, the Villa Crespi is one Italian villa worth seeing.

Continue reading: Villa Crespi luxury hotel on Lake Orta, Piedmont

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If you love history you must absolutely visit the Borromeo fortress at Angera, lake Maggiore. It’s one of the best preserved castles in the region. Located atop a rocky hill, the fortress overlooks the lake and from its walls one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. In the old days the place, thanks to its rather strategic position could control traffic and trade on the lake. Originally owned by the powerful Visconti family which ruled over Milan and other important northern
cities for almost a century, the fortress was bought by the Borromeo family in the 15th century. Surrounded by enchanting gardens, the castle is also home to a museum dedicated to dolls, so if have children or have a passion for antique toys, this is the place to be.

Photo | Flickr

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