Piedmont

I have been to Piedmont several times, some of them only in passing. For the capital Turin and its province, I refer you to "Piedmont-Turin" and "Turin Olympic". Not long ago I went to the Langhe on a bus trip whose first stop was Acqui Terme, famous for its hot springs, where we visited, besides the historic centre, which also has archaeological traces, several cellars where prized wines such as Brachetto are produced. We slept in a luxurious hotel right on the central square, and the following morning, along a road through the vineyards, we reached a medieval castle on a hill, wrapped in thick fog. Afterwards, passing through Canelli, we went to Alba, famous for its truffle but also possessing an ancient historic centre, then back into the heart of the Langhe to visit a producer of prized wines. We then returned to Acqui Terme to spend the night in a hotel.

The next day lunch in a typical restaurant and home again. Other times I have visited Piedmontese places: in '89 I reached Saluzzo to commentate on an international swimming competition and took the chance to stroll through the town centre. Further north I have been several times to both Vercelli and Novara to commentate on roller-hockey matches. In particular, during a week's stay in Vercelli for the European Roller Hockey Championship, I had the chance to travel by local bus, changing at Biella, to the Sanctuary of Oropa, set in a wood that invites contemplation. During that same week I took a bus up to the Sacro Monte di Varallo Sesia. I had already been here as a child with my mother on a tourist trip, and I had been favourably struck by this mountain, where chapels were set, recreating scenes from the Gospel with statues.

That trip also took us to see Lake Orta, where we took a boat to the little lake island of San Giulio. On the way back from a trip that took in southern Germany and Switzerland, crossing the Simplon Pass, I passed through Domodossola and reached Macugnaga, where I spent the night in a hotel. I have already spoken of the two nights in a hotel in Asti and the short visit to its historic centre in "Turin Olympic". On holiday with the family I visited Lake Maggiore, staying near Verbania, and visited Stresa, Arona and the Borromean Islands. At Arona I climbed onto the great bronze statue of San Carlo, and on the Islands I visited villas with splendid gardens.