Piedmont & Beyond

Days outings that are possible from Bella Baita include:

Staffarda Abbey. beautiful abbey on the way towards Saluzzo.

Avigliana-A charming village whose smooth surfaced natural lakes lie at the base of Sacra San Michele.

Sacra San Michele-This imposing Gothic-Romanasque abbey which dates back to the 10th century, has long been the symbol of Piedmont and heralds the entrance to the Susa valley. Parts of the movie, “The Name of the Rose” were filmed here.

Susa-started out as a Celtic town and then cam under the mantle of the Roman  Empire. You can still find several Roman monuments, such as an arch, sections of an aqua duct and an amphitheater.

Exilles- A military outpost and once feared prison that held the “Man in the Iron Mask” for a time after his stay in Pinerolo prison, it is am impressive sight up on the hill top.

Saluzzo-A charming medieval village to wander around eventually making your way to the top of town for a sweeping view of the plains.

Manta Castle-Just a couple of miles south of Saluzzo, you will this small but well restored castle that everyone in the family will enjoy. They have English self guided audio players making the visit quite enjoyable and not too long.

Monviso- The highest peak in the Cottian range of alps and the headwaters of the Po. It’s popular with the walking and climbing crowd in the summer.  Pian del Regina at the ed of the road, is a great place to park the car and have a wander in the mountains and maybe a picnic or a bite to eat at “La Baita della Polenta”.

Alba -Bra – ancient charming towns that gave birth to the Slow Food movement

Pollenzo -Slow Food university and wine bank situated in this Unesco designated town

The Langhe wine area, with the well known names of wines from the charming town that gave them their names, Barolo and Barbaresco, to name two.

Monferrato wine region with various wineries and small towns to ramble through.

And if you fancied a day in France, there is the hill top town of

Briancon, France- beautiful drive up our Chisone valley and into the French alps for a wander about the medieval village and perhaps a well filled crepe for lunch or motor further into the alps over to Col du Lautaret.