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Italian food is considered one of the tastiest dishes in the world.
Most of us are fans of pizza, pasta and filled cones full of gelato.
But Italy also has delicious dishes for a more refined palette, such as truffles, fine wines and incredible cheeses.
With train travel becoming increasingly popular, there’s no better way to discover the best food Italy has to offer.
And a new train route makes it easier than ever to explore Italy’s most delicious regions.
Here’s what you need to know:
Exploring the Piedmont region
It may not be the most popular part of Italy, but the Piedmont region, which lies in the northwest, is known for its delicious wine and rich truffles.
It is also home to a large number of Michelin-starred restaurants.
In short, the region is a Mecca for foodies!
And now, food-loving travelers can take a new train route between the city of Asti (famous for the sweet sparkling wine of the same name) and the city of Alba.
Alba is unofficially known as the white truffle capital of the world.
The route between the two cities runs 6 times a week on weekdays.
It’s a great way to explore a lesser-known part of Italy and really embrace Italian culture.
Exciting wine festivals
Asti Spumante is considered an affordable alternative to champagne, but even if you ignore the price tag, I actually prefer the sweet and uncomplicated taste of sparkling Asti.
It is the most famous wine from the region, but the dessert wine Moscato d’Asti is also a great success and definitely worth trying if you are in the area.
If exploring Italy in the heat of summer doesn’t appeal to you, visit Piedmont to take the train in the fall.
During the autumn months the town of Asti hosts not just one but two wine festivals which have an incredible, lively atmosphere and attract large crowds.
These are the Douja d’Or Festival and the Festival delle Sagre.
Truffles for everyone
Hop on the new train and take the route from Asti to Alba, where you can enjoy some of the world’s best white truffles.
This train ride takes about an hour and only costs $5 if you buy tickets in advance.
The town of Alba is surrounded by beautiful forests where you will often encounter hunters and their dogs sniffing out these prized truffles. It should therefore come as no surprise that they are also frequently used in quality restaurants here!
The white truffle grows underground in specific forest areas and has a sharp and unforgettable smell and taste. They are incredibly expensive because they are so rare and hard to find.
And if your palette likes something simpler than truffles or you have a sweet tooth? Then Alba is also the birthplace of Nutella. Everyone’s favorite Italian sweet treat!
It’s worth noting that, even aside from the delicious food options, both Asti and Alba are ancient, elegant and architecturally beautiful towns that are worth exploring in their own right.
From neoclassical churches to city halls that dominate the skyline, they are cities that offer photo opportunities everywhere you go.
Increased railway investments
Rail travel is currently exploding in popularity, both in Europe and around the world.
And the northern Italian region of Piedmont is joining the crowd and investing heavily in new railway lines. In fact, the route from Alba to Asti is just the beginning of this.
An additional line will reopen between Cuneo and Savigliano next January.
Ceva will be connected to Ormea early next year.
Because each of these destinations also boasts their own delicious culinary delights, as well as being charming places in their own right, taking a train journey through Northern Italy becomes more appealing than ever before.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
