Bordering Switzerland and France, the Piemonte region of northern Italy is located at the foot of the Alps and is well regarded for its cultural offerings including historical Royal residences and 15 UNESCO sites.
It is also know for its for its white truffles and fine wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco and Asti Spumante.
Spanning 15,000 square miles, Piemonte is the largest region in Italy after Sicily. Almost half of the region is Alpine with dozens of ski resorts.
Torino, the capital, is one of Piemonte's eight provinces and has baroque architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a renowned Egyptian Museum.
Outdoor pursuits
Piemonte in Italy offers outdoor adventure opportunities from mountaineering in the Lake District to cycling through wineries, hiking in hazelnut orchards or taking a Segway through city streets.
The region offers Alpine peaks over 4,000 meters high, riverside paths and nature trails, and a system of parks and natural reserves that cover a surface area of 160,000 hectares.
Trekking, mountaineering and climbing can also be enjoyed in the Lake District, which is home to Lake Maggiore – the second largest lake in Italy.
In the north of the region, the Toce waterfall is a popular destination for mountain hikers and offers a view down the Formazza Valley.
People can enjoy water sports on the region's many lakes and rivers.
The source of the Po River is situated in Piemonte and offers torrents and streams perfect for kayaking and rafting.
On the lakes, Maggiore, Orta and Mergozzoare also popular for sailing, water skiing and windsurfing.
Golf in Piemonte is found across a wide range of landscapes, from the Olympic Mountains, to Langhe, Lake Maggiore and Torino, offering over 40 top level clubs, including four of the best golf clubs in Italy.
For the cyclist
Piemonte also offers a wide range of cycle routes suitable for road and mountain bike users.
Situated on Torino's Olympic Mountains, Alpi Bike Resort is dedicated to mountain bike lovers with routes, events and services all on offer.
During summer in the province of Cuneo, prato bike land turns ski slopes into the reign of bike lovers with the use of ski lifts.
It is also the only mountain biking route equipped with lighting for night-time adventures.