Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Silvia

As one of the few Italian regions, Piemonte is not washed by the sea, but it is mostly mountainous area. Due to this fact was created also the name of the region, which comes from the phrase “ai piedi dei monti” – at the foot of the mountains. The territory was inhabited already in the Neolithic, but we can see the relics of the Romans and later of the Longobardi and not least the French and the Habsburgs, who were fighting a long for the region.

Mountains and lakes

Piemonte is suitable especially for those loving hiking, because the region boasts the two most famous Italian mountains – the Alps and Apennines. There are many valleys, which are accessible not only in summer but also in winter, so enjoying hiking here is possible all year-round. When you walk down from the mountains, you can stop at the region’s largest lake, Lago Maggiore, which extends also to the region of Lombardy, and even to the Italian canton of Ticino in Switzerland. Like many others in this area it is one of the glacial lakes and is known to influence many artists such as Ernest Hemingway.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Falk Lademann

Cities

Mountains and lakes are not the only place that tourists usually visit in Piemonte. The region is also famous for its modern, industrial cities such as Torino, where are the headquarters of the largest Italian automaker Fiat or Ivrea, and where is based famous office equipment manufacturer Olivetti. But those places are also imbued with history and beautiful architecture. Very visited, especially in the summer, is for example Aglio castle.

Specialties of Piemonte, chocolate and Barolo

Lovers of chocolate also come into their own here, as the region’s production of sweet snacks is famous not only throughout Italy, but also in Europe. The secret of making chocolate brought to Piemonte Emanuele Filiberto from Savoy in the 16th century. In cities, you find plenty of shops where you can buy a variety of chocolate candies, nougat, chocolate chestnut, etc. You will find that the Piedmont chocolate may well equal to the Swiss or Belgian.

However, if you prefer salty foods, you should taste il brasato al Barolo – beef with celery, onion and carrots cooked in one of the best wines of Piemonte region – Barolo.

View Piemonte – mountains, glacial lakes, history, wine and sweets Italy in a larger map

The post Piemonte – mountains, glacial lakes, history, wine and sweets | Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

Lago di Garda, Italy by Elliott Brown

Beauty hurts, or is more expensive than the sea
Lago di Garda enjoys a large tourist popularity. This corresponds to a number of first-class hotels and guesthouses. With the mark of prestige, prices are higher here than in other Italian resorts (apartments for around €20, campings for €10).

Even lake queen would not have to be ashamed of the lake – 346 meters depth is really impressive. Glacier Lake Garda was founded thanks to the global warming about 10 thousand years ago. Receding Alpine glaciers created this beautiful water world. The upper part of the lake is narrower, surrounded by great rock massifs. Towards the south, the lake opens up and allows visitors easier access. The lake lies at an altitude of 65 meters. Its maximum depth is 346 meters and if you would like to walk it all around, you have to prepare to about 160 kilometre-long way.

The right place for more demanding tourists and adventure lovers is the northern part of Lake Garda. Biking, hiking, rock climbing is just a fraction of what the area offers. Lake Garda is ideal for active holidays. You find here hundreds of kilometres of marked cycling and hiking trails that lead deep into the mountains, on the water you can enjoy boating, scooters or just play a beach volleyball.

Lago di Garda Italy by Robert Wirrmann

If you decide to go on a proper mountain hike, do not forget the map. It can be obtained in tourist centers or hotels. Losing here is really not hard at all. The ideal starting point for tours is the town of Riva del Garda, where you can go either west or east. The western side offers steep rock walls, suitable more for hiking. The eastern hills are a paradise for passionate cyclists. (You can rent bikes and all the amenities from some of many rental services here, but prices are often quite high).

In addition to alpine tours and resting at blue lake you can also go for culture or rich night life, which is characteristic for Italy and its inhabitants. Visit a town of Riva del Garda. This place is ideal for lovers of history.

Lake Garda, Italy by Marjolein Knuit

In the southern part of the lake, you can visit a spa town Sirmione, known as the “Pearl of Lake Garda.” The Romans built here two castles, ports, and a whopping villa of Grotte di Catullo. On the ruins of one of the ports you can now visit the castle Scaligeri Rocca, which is one of the landmarks of Sirmione.

Glacier Lake Garda is truly one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. It is suitable for everybody – hikers, adventurers, historians…

The post Lago di Garda – largest and most beautiful lake in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

Cascate del Serio, Lombardy, Italy by Marco Chiesa

The source of the Cascate del Serio is from the Serio River which is fed by the Bergamo Alps. It was back in 1931 when the Barbellino Dam was built and created the Lago di Barbellino reservoir. This reservoir is used as a source of energy for the local hydroelectric powerplant. As a result, like many of the waterfalls in Italy, it is only open a few times throughout the year.

It is therefore important that if you plan on visiting the region in order to check out the Cascate del Serio, that you need to prepare accordingly and ensure that you are able to make it to the village on the exact day and time that the floodgates are open and the waterfalls began rushing once again. But just remember, that when the waterfall is turned on, it is only going to be visible for about 30 minutes. As a result of the rarity in which the falls are turned on, you will quickly find out upon arriving to the region that there are many other people interested in seeing this rare event.

Long before the existence of the reservoir and the hydroelectric powerplant, there was a romantic legend that was associated with the waterfalls. The legend of the Cascate del Serio speaks of a local girl who had fallen in love with a shepherd boy who had already been engaged. Not wanting to lose her shepherd, she kidnapped fiancée and locked her away forever. The girl cried out for her loss and those tears created the Cascate del Serio.

Opening hours of Cascate del Serio in 2013

Cascate del Serio is planned to be opened in 2013 as follows:

• Sunday 16th June 2013 – 11:00 – 11:30
• Saturday 20th July 2013 – 22:00 – 22:30
• Sunday 18th August 2013 – 11:00 – 11:30
• Sunday 15th September 2013 – 11:00 – 11:30
• Sunday 6th October 2013 – 11:00 – 11:30

The post Cascate del Serio – tallest waterfall in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.