Asti

Asti is a medieval town about 60 km (37 miles) south-east of Turin in the Monferrato wine region of Piedmont, Italy. It is known for Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti sparkling wines, Barbera red wine, and its Palio, a medieval horse race held each September in Piazza Alfieri, the town's large central square. Asti once had many defensive towers, and several survive along with Romanesque and Gothic churches.

The journey is easy by train. A Trenitalia regional train from Torino Porta Nuova or Porta Susa takes about 35-60 minutes, with a fare around EUR 5-7 (~$5.75-8) one way. Driving on the A21 takes about 45 minutes and is useful for visiting wineries in the surrounding Monferrato hills, which are a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Intercity coaches are another option, with timetables on the operator sites.

A suggested one-day arc is to arrive mid-morning and walk from the station to the old town along Corso Alfieri. Sights include the Collegiata di San Secondo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Baptistery of San Pietro and the Torre Troyana. Lunch typically features local dishes such as bagna cauda, agnolotti, bollito misto or tajarin with seasonal ingredients, paired with a glass of Barbera or Grignolino. The afternoon suits a wine tasting at an enoteca in town or at a cellar in the countryside, followed by a late-afternoon train back to Turin.

The best months are spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and the vineyards are at their most scenic. September is the liveliest time, with the Douja d'Or wine festival and the Palio, but accommodation and restaurants fill quickly. Summer afternoons are hot, and winter days can be foggy, though the Monferrato food culture remains appealing. Visitors planning vineyard visits should check opening hours and book tastings in advance, as many family wineries operate by appointment.