We are planning a trip to Piedmonte in May! We would have loved to go in the fall for truffle season, but due to some personal reasons we desperately will need a relaxing vacation in spring. And I was able to obtain free tickets flying in and out of Milan, May 5-15th..that clinched it
We will be staying six nights at Borgo Vallone near Acqui Terme, on Diana's recommendation (as sadly, Baur B&B--our first choice--is closed for renovation in the spring.) This will be our 2nd time in Piedmonte, the first we spent a few days outside of Alba; and that was in July. We will start the trip with a couple of nights in Stresa (not yet booked..) We plan several day trips, probably one day in Turin, one day on the coast (Camogli, Portofino)...etc.
So I am wondering what to expect in May, in terms of weather and what's blooming then? Is it too early for any local produce? Are there any festivals in early May?
May is usually the start of the festival season in Piedmont and their should be several wine and food festivals over the weekends as well as the big VINUM wine festival in Alba usually held end of April/beginning May. Look for the asparagus festival in Vinchio and the Barbera festival in Castagnole Lanza (dates not yet published but normally first weekend in May)
Weather can be hard to predict in this day and age, but usually spring has sprung by May and we should have warm weather and sunny days, but then it can and often does rain and sometimes cool days. (That being a weatherman for you, hedging bets!). May is a great time to come to Piedmont.
A slightly 'piggy-back' post, but I've received conflicting reports on when Roero Strawberries are in season. I was told March but this seems way too soon and May seemed to be more logical.
They are meant to be excellent, so might be something to seek out at this time of year.
regards
Ian
Drink coffee, do stupid things faster
Posts: 306 | Location: UK | Registered: 20 September 2008
Thanks Tim, unfortunately I checked and it looks like the Vinum festival is over before we arrive. But I will look into these others!
Roero strawberries sound fantastic--if its not too early!
And thanks Gard for that weather site, that's one I was not familiar with. I usually use the history feature on weatherunderground.com. Of course, weather these days seems completely wacko and unpredictable!
We will be staying six nights at Borgo Vallone near Acqui Terme, on Diana's recommendation (as sadly, Baur B&B--our first choice--is closed for renovation in the spring.)
We will also be staying at Borgo Vallone on Diana's recommendation next May. When will you be there? We arrive May 17th through the 20th. It looks beautiful, but we were also sad that we couldn't stay with Diana.
Sharon J
Posts: 1144 | Location: Houston, TX USA | Registered: 01 November 2003
wow sorry we'll just miss you! That would have been a hoot if we were there at the same time. We almost considered delaying our trip till fall so we could stay at Diana's...but, we just couldn't bear to wait that long. Borgo Vallone looks wonderful--I just hope it doesn't feel too remote. They assured us that there are lots of great restaurants nearby.
Originally posted by Janet: Borgo Vallone looks wonderful--I just hope it doesn't feel too remote. They assured us that there are lots of great restaurants nearby.
Olmo Gentile is stunning. It is beautiful area, high in the hills above Cortemelia, just next to Roccaverano -- the area's high point that is a quaint place to visit.
I've made this recommendation to others recently, but if yo want to do something original -- visit an artisanal cheesemaker -- do visit Olivia at La Luna Buona (www.lalunabuona.it ). Ask that she and her husband give you a tour of their robiola di Roccaverano, and, especially DO sign in for the luncheon to follow. Olivia Fresia is one of this earth's most passionate and enlivening souls; she will charm you will her absolute love and passion for the region, their goats, her family farm and their exquisite food. I wouldn't miss this for anything.
Do know that she just opened a B&B. I would take Diana's recommendations for places to stay, but this place, too, was delightful.
As for geography, Olmo Gentile, in addition to Olivia's place, are a bit "up the hill" from the city centers, but these are beautiful, beautiful places with many restaurants down the hill. In fact, I think I have some recommendations somewhere from Olivia, but I'm certain you place could name the same spots (I'm certain that one of them even was in Olmo Gentile!)
In May there is the "Riso & Rose festival" in the villages of the Basso Monferrato. I have described this festivals before but just for a summary, all the villages take part on different Sundays of May, so you have something on through teh monrh. There are art and crafts exibitions, food and wine stalls, music and dance. The website www.monferrato.org has the details but they are normally updated fairly late. You cna be sure though that once you are there one or more villages are in full celebrations. It si a relly lovely time.
Also, in May there should be the festival of "Golosaria in Monferrato". For the past two years it was organised between the Castle of Camino and the village of Vignale Monferrato. I am not sure what is going to happen enxt year.
We were in Alba the end of May. Most days were warm and pleasant. We did get some sporadic rain mostly at night but it didn't stop us from doing whatever we had planned. A jeans jacket should be all the warmth you need.
Carole
Posts: 1376 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
Olmo Gentile is stunning. It is beautiful area, high in the hills above Cortemelia, just next to Roccaverano -- the area's high point that is a quaint place to visit.
I've made this recommendation to others recently, but if yo want to do something original -- visit an artisanal cheesemaker -- do visit Olivia at La Luna Buona (www.lalunabuona.it ). Ask that she and her husband give you a tour of their robiola di Roccaverano, and, especially DO sign in for the luncheon to follow.
Thanks this is great info! I will definitely contact Olivia to inquire about a visit, as the time draws nearer (probably way too early to inquire now...) I would love to visit the farm and taste the cheese, maybe lunch too! And it doesn't look too far from Borgo Vallone.
It looks like this is a very beautiful part of Piedmont, one which we didn't venture into on our last trip.
Originally posted by myItaly: In May there is the "Riso & Rose festival" in the villages of the Basso Monferrato..... There are art and crafts exibitions, food and wine stalls, music and dance. The website www.monferrato.org has the details but they are normally updated fairly late.
Great information, I will check that website as the time draws nearer. Thank you Claudia.
In May near Cuneo there is Maggioformaggio! "The last week of May presents a delicious opportunity for gourmets and lovers of good food. The main focus is on cheese, but salamis are also celebrated during the event which is held in what can be rightly called the food capital of Northern Italy."
Actually Golosaria was this past weekend ;-(, but the first three weekends in May there is definitely the Riso and Rose festival in teh Basso Monferrato. My parents just told me that treville will host exibitions etc on the 3rd of May but I am sure that some of the other villages will have things on the following weekend, which is when you are there. if I discover more info I will post it, but for now this is all i know.
Also I am just about to post something on Venaria Reale and the exibition of Egyptian artefacts found in the sea.
In May near Cuneo there is Maggioformaggio! "The last week of May presents a delicious opportunity for gourmets and lovers of good food. The main focus is on cheese, but salamis are also celebrated during the event which is held in what can be rightly called the food capital of Northern Italy."
Gnam!
Thanks Plottigat, I'll keep an eye on these pages to see what might be added. Unfortunately we won't be there the last week in May for the Maggioformaggio (cute name!)--we'll be in Piedmont the second weekend in May.
Mioglia: Sagra delle Fave e del Salame Nizza Monferrato: Corsa delle Botti Spigno Monferrato: Sagra del Risotto Visone: Sagra delle buie Montechiaro d'Acqui: La Solennita delle Sante Spine Cremolino: Percorso Gastronomico Terzo: Tradizionale Rosticciata di Primavera Castelletto d'Erro: Festa delle fragole e dei fiori
These are all not far from Borgo Vallone, which is a real gem ! We went there because we're future collegues (we'll start with our Agriturism this summer) and we really love what they did with the place !
Thanks Natasha (another Natasha in Piedmont--what are the odds?? This is great information and I will look up each of these--hopefully at least one will be happening while we are in the area.
About the strawberies, we have our own strawberry lady almost underneed us and when the weather is sunny she has the most delicious strawberries from marz till the end of October. And ofcourse we serve them at breakfast with a lot of other things. (although its hard to get them to our house because I cann't stop eating them on my way home)
For the festivals, The one in Cremolino might be something to visit its a beautiful area just above acqui terme in the Dolcetto Hills and normally a percorso will leed you from one winery to another and different anti pasti will be served. There is one other very small but very special festa in may but onfortunately thats 23&24 may, its a festival of one of our favorite wineries.
(although its hard to get them to our house because I cann't stop eating them on my way home)
I suppose getting them to Acqui would be out of the question then (invisioning strawberry juice dripping out of the car door as you drive up our driveway....)
For Sharon J (sorry too late for Janet) you can take a ride over to Nizza Monferrato for the yearly Barbera Festival which takes place on the 17th and 18th. It's a huge deal every year.
There won't be any juice dripping out, I'm an expert in eating strawberries driving, and I don't want to waste any. But I can try it once, She always gives me one box extra and I eat that one driving home. So when I take 10 I would maybe make it in time to give you some. She is really a caracter, nobody may touch the strawberries at her place, she even puts them in my car to be sure they are leaving her place perfectly. And they are so sweet and delicious infact talking about them, I just may drive by her place today to see if she already has some.
There won't be any juice dripping out, I'm an expert in eating strawberries driving,
Now THAT is an expertise worth cultivating! I myself have that leaky chin problem. Mmm, hoping some of those strawberries end up in the Rome markets next month.
Ok, I checked the above list and not one event was the 2nd weekend in May! But, as I was checking I happened upon a useful site and came up with this list:
Second weekend in May - ALEXANDRIA (LA) - Festa di Borgo Rovereto
Second weekend in May - BORGHETTO BORBERA (AL) - Festa di San Vittore
Second weekend of May, lasts 2 days, Saturday and Sunday - Casale Monferrato (AL) - Quality Antiques
Second weekend in May - DENICE (AL) - Festival of Lies
Second weekend of May, lasts two days - OVADA (AL) - Countries and flavors (Paesi e sapori )
Second weekend in May - Serravalle Scrivia (AL) - Festival of Spring
Second weekend in May - STAZZANO (AL) - May Fair
Second weekend in May - Volpedo (AL) - Market of antiques and modern
Second Sunday in May and June. - Borgomanero (NO) - Crafts Market.
Second weekend in May, Friday and Saturday. - Novara (NO) - Trivia Novara
I am particularly interested in the Festival of Lies in Denice. What could it be? You get there and people jump your car and say,"NO! there is no festival! It was a lie!"????? Natascha from Ag. Verdita --- you are close to Denice. What's the deal on this festival? Or maybe you can't get any honest info about it?
For Sharon J (sorry too late for Janet) you can take a ride over to Nizza Monferrato for the yearly Barbera Festival which takes place on the 17th and 18th. It's a huge deal every year.
We drove through Nizza on the way to Aqcui Terme as they were setting up for this festival but didn't stop. ( ) It looked huge - definately worth a stop for wine lovers.
We were in the Acqui Terme area May 17 - 21 last year. It rained just about every day - Diana assured us that this was unusual.
There were a number of smaller sagra in the villages and towns near Acqui - as we drove around we could see the signs posted or tables and banners being set up.
Be sure to pop into Mombaruzzo and visit the bakery where they have been making the most incredible amaretti cookies for the past 200 years. YUM
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
Un kg di farina, tre uova, 120 gr di margarina, due bustine di lievito in polvere per dolci, 200 gr di zucchero, un pizzico di sale e latte quanto basta. Impastare il tutto fino ad ottenere una palla liscia ed omogenea. Lasciar riposare per circa mezz'ora. Tirare la sfoglia sottile al terzo buco della macchina per pasta Imperia. Farcire la sfoglia con mucchietti di marmellata o cioccolata. Chiudere come per fare le raviole e tagliare le bugie. Friggere in abbondante olio caldo. A freddo spolverare di zucchero a velo.
Aha I was wonder about the "Festival of Lies" as well! That sounded potentially quite entertaining, lol. However the cookies look good too
By the way, I forgot to give the URL to the site where I found this information--they have good listings for events/festas all over Italy. I used Google Translate for the translation (hence the "Festival of Lies!"
) It looked huge - definately worth a stop for wine lovers.
