Tucked in the north of the country, between France and Switzerland, Piedmont is, for me, the jewel in Italy’s crown. The scenery is breathtaking and there are plenty of rooftop bars where you can experience the vistas with a negroni or a glass of wine in hand. At the Turin Palace Hotel, you’ll see ceramic tiled roofs to one side, and snow-topped Alpine peaks to the other. Here, you can really understand the name Piedmont – meaning “foot of the mountain”.

I knew I would be a regular to this region the first time that local aromatic white Alba truffle, foraged that day, was shaved over freshly made pasta in front of my eyes. Home to the wine regions of Roero, Gavi, Langhe and Unesco-listed Monferrato, this is the region of Italy for you if you enjoy wine tasting, outstanding local food and sunset walks among grape vines.