Discovering the essences of Piedmont
Italy
3 days
SEASON
Spring, Summer
TRANSPORT
Car, Bus, Walk
Discovering the essences of Piedmont
With its exquisite Cuisine, stunning scenery and rich historical and cultural heritage, the Northern Italian region of Piedmont is also an amazing destination for nature and plants lovers. 30 aromatic plants are cultivated by 140 companies on more than 600 hectares of land, which constitute a rich potential on the production of Medicinal, Aromatic and Perfume Plants.
Visitors will enjoy a historical, cultural and relaxing journey, discovering the richness of the flora and fauna and the history of the use of Plants since ancient times.
Day by Day
With this 3-day itinerary you will discover the most beautiful places in Piedmont linked to herbs, plants, perfumes and essences. The itinerary starts from Turin, the famous capital of Piedmont, where you can have different experiences among museums, markets, cafes and shops, and then move to the province of Cuneo, from Racconigi, where you can visit the Royal Castle, and Savigliano, where you can visit the MUSES – Accademia Europea delle Essenze, up to Sale San Giovanni, where you can see the breathtaking lavender fields.
DAY 1
Valentino Park – Botanical Garden and Castle
Valentino Park is the second largest park of Turin. Also called the “Green Lung of Torino”, it was designed as a public park for the city during mid-nineteenth century by the landscape gardener Barrilet-Deschamps.
Located in the park, the Orto Botanico (Botanical Garden), opened in 1729, includes an orangery, a heated greenhouse and herbarium museum. The botanical garden offers visitors a collection of over 4000 species of local flora and medicinal herbs. This is the result of the work of researchers, botanists, herbalists, gardeners on plants and botanical culture.
Visitors will also enjoy a tour of the Valentino Castle and the Medieval Village (Borgo e Rocca Medievale). Built for the Italian General Exhibition of 1884, the complex features reproductions of 15th century buildings and furnishings, which are typical of Piedmont and of the Aosta Valley.
More info..
Opening hours:
Bortanical Garden: Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm / Saturday 3pm to 7pm
Medieval Village: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm
Valentino Castle:
Admission:
Botanical Garden: Adults – 5 € / Children 6 to 12 – 3 € / Free for children under 6
Valentino Castle: 3,50 €
Medieval Village: Full 6 € / Reduced 4 €
From the website (should you need it):
The Botanical Garden offers the possibility of guided tours to classes of all school levels and to organized groups. The visits must be booked by phone (at least one week before the visit), stating the date, the hour and the chosen itinerary, on one of the following numbers: +39 011 6705980, Valeria Fossa – mobile +39 338 9581569 Website: http://www.ortobotanico.unito.it/
Egyptian museum
Located in the historic centre of Turin, the museum is surrounded by all the most beautiful places and monuments of the old town (historic squares and palaces, the Royal Palace, Royal Theatre, etc.).
It is the most important Egyptian museum of Europe and the second in the world after the Il Cairo one.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the “Sensory Tours” around the concept of Essences. The museum also offers guided tours to discover the Nilotic civilisation through the symbols and scents that characterised the every day life in Ancient Egypt.
More info..
Opening hours: Monday: 9am to 2pm / Tuesday to Sunday: 9am to 6:30 pm
Admission:
Adults – 15 €
15 to 18 years old – 11 €
6 to 14 Years old – 1 €
Special tours: please contact the museum for prices
Contacts:
Via Accademia delle Scienze 6, 10123 Turin
+39 011 44 06 903
www.museoegizio.it
Lavazza Museum
Visitors will enjoy a gustative and olfactory journey exploring the story of Lavazza renowned coffee. An immersive journey through the world of Lavazza, accompanied by a unique espresso coffee cut.
More info..
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Admission: Adults – 10 € / Reduced – 8 € / Free for children under 6
Contacts:
www.museo.lavazza.com
DAY 2
Racconigi Castle
The castle of Racconigi is one of the residences of the Royal House of Savoy, listed as a UNESCO Word Heritage Site. Visitors will be able to enjoy a tour of the palace and the magnificent landscaped park.
André Le Notre, designer of Versailles’ gardens, also had a hand on the garden on the castle’s north side. A second new tour of the castle with a different ticket include spots never opened to the public before: the thermal baths and the ancient library of the King Carlo Alberto, an immersive experience and gaming with new technologies in the Magazzino 21, the 1700s Chapel and, finally, the Bottega Reale Museum Supershop.
More info..
Opening hours: Every day 9 am to 7pm. Closed on Sunday
Admission: Full – 5 € / Reduced – 2 € / Park – 2 € (susceptible to be changed: check the link. The tickets for the second tour will be available on the website www.bibliocarloalberto.it)
Contacts:
+39 0172 84005
www.polomusealepiemonte.beniculturali.it
The Silk Museum
Located few steps away from the castle, in the heart of the village, the museum relates the history of Racconigi and the silk industry. In the 1700s, the small town of Racconigi hosted thirty silk mills employing over 4000 people. Located in the Chiostro of the former Convento delle Clarisse, the museum tells this fascinating story. The location itself is peculiar: a shady garden, an urban atmosphere of monastic simplicity, which also houses the Public Library. All around you can find one of the largest urban concentrations of stork nests that can be admired in Italy.
More info..
Opening hours: only on Sundays 10am-12:30pm / 2:30pm-5pm
Contacts:
Associazione Sul Filo della Seta
Via Garibaldi 3 – 12035 Racconigi CN.
sulfilodellaseta@libero.it
www.facebook.com/museodellasetaracconigi
Aulina Soap Factory
Located in the heart of the land from the Piedmont mountains rise, a few steps away from the Racconigi Castle, Aulina srl mastered the combination of traditions and local products into exclusive natural cosmetics, revealing the essence of the region.
Visitors can experience a tour of and the factory and enroll for different courses and soap workshops.
More info..
Opening hours: From Monday to Fruday 9am-12:30pm / 3:30pm-7:30pm
Contacts:
+39 0172 84553
www.aulina.it
Tenuta Berroni
Hotel and transformations of MAPs; store of cosmetics products. Here you can find the magical atmosphere of the royal eighteenth-century Piedmont.The typically French-inspired architectural complex welcomes and guides visitors through a gallery of tall and ancient trees to rediscover the flavors of past times.
More info..
Location: Tenuta Berroni 12 – 12035 Racconigi CN
Contacts:
info@agriberroni.it
+39 339 4471798
www.agriberroni.land
DAY 3
MUSES - Accademia Europea delle Essenze
Accademia Europea delle Essenze is a not only a perfume museum, but it also offers visitors the experience of a journey through contemporary art installations and a tech/sensorial space about herbs and flowers. Hosted in the 17th century Palazzo Taffini d’Acceglio, it has been designed by the Terre dei Savoia Association to celebrate the traditions of Piedmont (which alone accounts for more than 30% of MAPs of Italy) in the production of medicinal herbs, essential oils and perfumes. The museum offers an interactive tour, mixing technology, history and art and it includes a variety of workshops on aromatic herbs, perfumes or natural cosmetic. It is equipped with a high-tech laboratory for the transformation of MAPs and many food produces. Visitors will be able to enjoy different exhibitions and workshops but also will appreciate a tour of the Gardens of Senses.
More info..
Location: Via Sant’Andrea 53, Savigliano (CN)
Opening hours and admission: www.musesaccademia.it
Contacts:
+39 0172 375025
www.musesaccademia.it
Cherasco – Edible Flower Garden
The garden stands on the eastern side of the Church of the Madonna del Popolo, in an intimate and welcoming space, surrounded by walls, where the theme of the hortus conclusus has been re-proposed, to recall the ancient vegetable garden used by the Padri Somaschi, who lived in the adjacent convent.
The recent intervention recovered a green area of the historic centre of the city by making it available to visitors along the walk to visit the ancient town.
Plants with edible and ornamental flowers are grown in the area with the aim of spreading knowledge, properties and use. Already appreciated by the ancient Greeks and Romans, today the edible flowers raise again interest on our tables not only for their aesthetic value, the peculiar flavours and the unusual textures but also for their health properties that scientific research is gradually highlighting.
More info..
Opening times:
In Summer every day 9am-7pm
In Winter every day 10am-5pm
Admission: Free
Contacts:
Via Nostra Signora del Popolo 9, 12062 Cherasco CN
EXTRA
Vermouth Experience
Visitors will be able to discover the history of the drink of Kings and Queen, made from wine, sugar and herbs. The visit includes a guided tour, a tasting, and the creation of a personal bottle of Vermouth.
More info..
Admission: 28 €
Contacts:
+39 011 19214791
info@jo-in.it
www.jo-in.it/product/vermouth-experience
Real Biscotto di Racconigi (The Royal Biscuit)
Processed according to historical recipes with stone-ground corn flour, eggs from free-range hens, toasted and minced Piedmontese hazelnuts, butter and sugar.
More info..
Pancalieri
Free visit to the fields of peppermint and factory of local mint produces, tastings and Mint museum.
More info..
Location: Via Pinerolo 44 bis – 10060 Pancalieri TO
Opening hours:
Monday – Thusday 9am-12:30pm
Friday and Saturday 9am-12:30pm / 4pm-7pm
Sunday 9:30am-12:00pm
Contacts:
+39 011 9734279 – +39 334 3034383
info@essenzialmenta.it
www.essenzialmenta.it
Fior di Lavanda - Sale San Giovanni
For over twenty years the Ca’ de Sorìa, a company based in Sale San Giovanni, has been cultivating medicinal plants on an area of about 30 hectares. It grows lavender, helichrysum, sage, thyme, hyssop, rosemary, lemon balm, Roman chamomile and fennel with the method of biodynamic agriculture. Much of the work is done manually. The biodynamic farming method follows particular cosmic influences and the use of natural preparations, so to it guarantee a superior product quality.
More info..
Location: Via Case Surie, 6 12070 – Sale San Giovanni CN
Pasticceria Scaraffia
Small pastry shop located in the central square of the town. Looking from the outside, the place seems to see a pastry shop from a bygone era. The interior furnishings are all in wood. Excellent pastries, cakes and not to be missed are the famous "Saviglianesi" with rum or maraschino and the historic "Paulin" aperitif, to be enjoyed sitting on the traditional bench in Piazza Santarosa
More info..
"Parola al Cibo" cooking school
"Parola al Cibo" is a Cooking and Pastry school. Cooking is passion, fun and a moment of aggregation. School is a place for growth and improvement. Mixing these ingredients is the aim of this place. The "Parola al Cibo" cooking school is located in Savigliano, in the heart of the Granda province: a land rich in culinary traditions, a stone's throw from the Langhe.
More info..
Location: Via Cernaia 9, 12038 Savigliano CN
Contacts:
+39 0172 050 125
+39 375 526 7507
info@parolaalcibo.it
www.parolaalcibo.it
SPA – Castello Rosso Costigliole
Rubedo is a new mysterious 400 m2 Spa of the Rosso di Costigliole Saluzzo Castle built in the basement and in the cloister of the castle, strategically located just 15 minutes from Saluzzo and Savigliano. Its magical position on two levels makes it a unique Spa of its kind: in the alchemical doctrine, in fact, matter undergoes a transformation to rise from the material and impure state to a state of spiritual progress, so in Rubedo, Beauty Wellness & Spa the guest begins his journey in the basement, where he undresses his ties with the earthly world and, in a bathrobe and slippers, enters the path, climbing the ancient spiral staircase of the Aura Tower of the Castle.
More info..
Garden of Cherasco
The Garden of Cherasco (also known as Giardino dei Semplici), housed in the courtyard of the Abbey church of San Pietro and inserted among the "historical gardens of botanical interest", is of clear medieval inspiration. Along the paved paths, you can visit different types of garden: from the garden of the Semplici, to the suggestive sensorial stimulation, (with the garden of perfumes, colors, butterflies and insects), to the discover of ancient methods of cultivation.
More info..
Location: Via Vittorio Emanuele 79, Cherasco CN
Cooking School with MAPs
In a restored farm in the countryside Cervere, the land of leeks, where live many animals, happy and free: cats, dogs, a horse and a pony, pigs... The atmosphere is familiar and cozy and my purposes to make you feel like at home... Here you can learn about Piemontese cuisine and its tradition. Starters, pastas, main courses and desserts: with the help of specialist cooks and your work, in 3 hours you will learn how to prepare a menu with 4/5 delicious dishes. Courses start with a short introduction than... let's work!
More info..
The courses can be done in Italian, English, French and Portugues. Booking: 2 days before. Everything included: apron, collection of recipes, ingredients and all the kitchen stuff.
Opening hours: every day of the week, all year round. Morning 10am-13:30pm / Afternoon: 4pm-7:30pm.
Duration: 3/4 hours, tasting included. N. of people: min. 2 – max 10.
Contacts:
https://cookingpiemonte.com
Fossano – Palazzo Righini
Four hundred years of history come to life in stuccoes, frescoed ceilings, stones and hand-baked bricks. The restoration preserves the traces of the past and the style of the Piedmont nobility of bygone days. The luxurious decor was created with fine artisanship. Almost every object is unique and made to measure. The staff of Palazzo Righini offers its expertise and professionalism to help guests discover the territory and make their stay in this corner of Piedmont an unforgettable experience. Historic towns, nature and excellent cuisine will win you over. You can also enjoy a special cooking school.
More info..
Location: Via Negri 20 – 12045 Fossano CN
Contacts:
+39 0172 666666
info@palazzorighini.it
www.palazzorighini.it
Cooking School: www.palazzorighini.it/cooking-school
Snails Cosmetics of Cherasco
In recent years, scientific research has thoroughly studied the properties of snail slime, demonstrating its benefits, such as its soothing and restructuring qualities. This is the starting point for the Cherasco Institute of Heliciculture to create a range of cosmetics and medical devices. A work that has given birth to numerous quality products thanks to the excellence of their raw material: a snail from a natural cycle breeding and an extraction of slime with the right characteristics. This is how S’agapó was born, which in Greek translates as: To love yourself, because our goal is not only the well-being of your skin but also the possibility of offering you moments to dedicate to yourself. Scraps of time made to meet and like each other.
More info..
Location: Corso Einaudi 40 – 12062 Cherasco CN
Contacts: https://sagapocosmetici.com
Pasticceria Barbero
In Alba, the capital of the Langhe, an area renowned for its rolling hills and high quality food and wine, it was born in 1955, in one of the most beautiful pastry shops in the historic center, the "Pasticceria Barbero" (Barbero Bakery). The small bistro tables recall the ladies, both noble and bourgeois, who came here to drink hot chocolate or tea in the company of military officers and high school teachers and thinkers Pastonchi and Bontempelli. King Victor Emmanuel and the handsome Prince Umberto came here in search of excitement; hardened combatants were briefly tamed, ministers of the king and the republic were customers, along with powerful businessmen and bold financiers. Here you can find the famous "Baci di Cherasco", the first milestone in Barbero's longstanding chocolate-making story: Baci are made with an exquisite mixture of dark chocolate with 65% cocoa solids, and Piedmontese hazelnuts from the Langhe, toasted according to our ancient recipe and coarsely crushed.
More info..
Location: Via Vittorio Emanuele II 74, 12062 Cherasco CN
Opening hours: Morning 9am-1pm / Afternoon 3:30pm-7:30pm. Closed Wensday
Orto delle erbe
In 1994, after the tragic flood of the Tanaro river, the hill on which my paternal home stood - in San Rocco Cherasca - was declared a high risk red zone and my family was forced to abandon their home and land. After about ten years, with an interesting project, I returned to those places: that side of the hill was a small paradise, the fields were cultivated, the vegetable garden thriving and donkeys, sheep and goats lived free. Undoubtedly, the love for the land passed on to me by my grandparents, farmers in the Langhe of "Malora" and my parents contributed, but it was after participating in a course on organic farming in 2006 that I returned to those lands and I started planting some varieties of aromatic herbs: six hundred seedlings of Sage, Savory, Thyme, Oregano, Helichrysum.
More info..
Location: Via Commendator Schiavino 14, Verduno CN
Contacts:
+39 334 3196616
ortodelleerbe@gmail.com
www.ortodelleerbe.com
SPA Turin - QC Terme
QC Terme spas and resorts, the most important and innovative player for thermal and wellness sectors and hotel accommodations, gives experiences that improve the quality of life and moments of gratification, vitality, cheerfulness and joy. This is the most important CQ Terme Spa of the city of Turin.
More info..
Contacts: www.qcterme.com/it/torino
"Royal Snack" Caffè San Carlo
La Merenda Reale di Torino is a tradition born in the '700 at the court of Savoy to calm the appetite of the nobles between lunch and dinner and after dinner (the royal snack could be served, in fact, between 2pm and 10pm).
More info..
Location: Piazza San Carlo 156 – 10123 Torino
Opening hours: every day from 8am to 12pm
Admission: Free
Pasticceria Gobino
The historic headquarters of "Guido Gobino" Chocolate Factory in Via Cagliari. It hosts the entire supply chain from production to sales.
More info..
Location: Via Cagliari 15/b – 10153 Torino
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am-12:30pm / 2:30pm-6pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Contacts:
+39 011 24 762 45
Accessibility
Starting point: Turin
Nearest airport: Turin Caselle Airport
Distances:
Day 1
Turin Caselle Airport > Turin: 19 km (30 min drive – 1h bus)
Valentino Park > Egyptian Museum: 2,7 km (9 min drive or public transport)
Egyptian Museum > Lavazza Museum: 2,4 km (10 min drive or public transport)
Day 2
Racconigi Castle > Silk Museum: 400 mt (2 min by walk)
Silk Museum > Aulina Shop: 1,1 km (5 min drive or public transport)
Day 3
Muses > Cherasco Edible flower garden: 22 km (25 min drive – only by car)
Accomodation
Starhotels Majestic
Turin (historical centre)
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 54, 10123 Turin
Contacts:T. 800 860 200 Toll free Italy
T. 00800 0022 0011 (Toll free from Italy, France, Germany, UK, Spain)
T. +39 055 36925 (From other countries)
M. reservations@starhotels.it
$$$
Go to the websiteHotel Antico Distretto
Turin (historical centre)
Corso Valdocco, 10, 10122 Turin
Contacts:T. +39 011.5213713 / 011.5213773
M. info@anticodistretto.it
$$
Go to the websiteB&B Della Rocca
Turin (historical centre)
Via Della Rocca, 10 – 10123 Turin
Contacts:T. +39 348 8829485
M. info@bbdellarocca.it
$$
Go to the websitePalazzo del Carretto
Turin
Via Bogino 16, 10123 Turin
Contacts:T. +39 011 887355
T. +39 320 6047489
M. info@palazzodelcarretto.com
$$$
Go to the websiteTenuta Berroni
Racconigi
Via Tenuta Berroni 12035, Racconigi
Contacts:T. 0172 813186
M. info@tenutaberroni.it
$$
Go to the websiteHotel Somaschi
Cherasco
Via Nostra Signora del Popolo, 9, 12062 Cherasco (CN)
Contacts:T. +39 0172 488482
T. +39 328 317 8837
M. info@monasterocherasco.it
$$$
Go to the websiteCatering
Cianci Piola
Turin
Largo Quattro Marzo 9/b, 10122 Turin
Contacts:T. +39 011 569 0425
M. info@anticodistretto.it
$
Go to the websiteTre Galline
Turin
Via G. Bellezia, 37, 10122 Torino
Contacts:T. +39 011 436 6553
M. info@3galline.it
$$$
Go to the websiteRistorante da Mosé
Racconigi
Corso Principe di Piemonte, 40, 12035 Racconigi (CN)
Contacts:T. +39 0172 86474
M. info@ristorantedamose.it
$$
Go to the websiteOstu Bistrot
Savigliano
Via Muratori, 18, 12038 Savigliano (CN)
Contacts:T. +39 347 0133407
T. +39 0172 31617
T. +39 340 0553238
M. info@ostubistrot.it
$$
Go to the websiteDa Francesco
Cherasco
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 103, 12062 Cherasco CN
Contacts:T. +39 339.8096696
M. info@ristorantedafrancesco.com
$$$
Go to the websiteOsteria delle erbe
Sale San Giovanni
Via Villa, 3, 12070 Sale San Giovanni CN
Contacts:
T. +39 0174 75184
T. +39 347 0450797
M. orietta.zaccaro@libero.it
$
Go to the websiteLe Antiche Volte
Fossano
Via Negri, 20 – 12045 Fossano (Cn)
Contacts:T. +39 0172 666666
T. +39 331 647 7256
M. info@palazzorighini.it
Price range:
$$$
Go to the websiteAntica Corona Reale
Cervere
Via Fossano, 13, 12040 Cervere (CN)
Contacts:T. +39 0172 474132
M. info@anticacoronareale.it
Price range:
$$$
Go to the website
