If you are in Piedomnt or planning a trip sooner rather than later, why not considering the Palio of Asti, in Piedmont? It is an event that ahs been organised for centuries. the first note about this event goes back to the year 1275!
This year it runs on the weekend of the 20-21st of September, with all sort of food and wine events as well as performances and markets.
The official website has the programme for Sunday on the Italian version, while if you click on the English/American flag it goes back to last year's programme. But anyway it can give you an idea of what goes on. So if you are intreseted go to the official website for the Palio of Asti and have a look by yourself.
And don't forget the Feste Delle Sagre on the weekend of the 13th/14th where the big Campo del Palio becomes a giant restaurant with around 50 local towns and commune putting up a kitchen to offer their own special dishes, plus on Sunday the parade with floats and all depicting traditional farm themes, very colourful and interesting. And of course the Douja d'Or wine festival from the 12th to the 21st, around 400 local wines can be tasted and bought.
If anyone would like to write up a piece on the Palio, Festa, or other Piemonte event, send me an e-mail to discuss it. I'd love to get more Piemonte content on the main site's Northern Italy Travel Notes.
In addition to the Douja d'Or Festival in Asti, the Festa delle Feste takes place in Acqui Terme on the weekend of the 13th of September. This involves many of ths local ProLoco (Produtti Locali) member communi coming to Acqui, setting up stands, and serving their local specialties. Last year, over 60,000 people were in attendance. It is a huge party. On the other side of the Palio, commencing the first weekend in October, the the Alba Truffle Festival starts , and continues for a month, with the main activities taking place on the weekends.
In the midst, the white wine vendemmia has begun, and will be followed in this area by the Brachetto and Dolcetto harvests, and then the Barbera and Nebbiolo.
Given we are arriving too late for the Palio, but will be there shortly thereafter, is the The Palio degli Asini at Alba worth the trip and do we need to book anything in advance?
