The Langhe

This two districts are famous especially for their gastronomy. In october the gourmet can visit the truffle fair in Alba, the first and the second Sunday of this month. But this is not the only attraction, there is also the Palio dell'Asino and a fair in Montecalvo. In Grinzane don't fail to visit tha Castle of the stateman Cavour that at the present houses a rich wine cellar.

There are in the wine centres, as Barolo and Fontana Fredda, other interesting castles and to complete your visit don't miss also the Falletti castle in Serralunga d'Alba.

Ovada is famous for its particular type of wine called "Dolcetto" (sweet) and for the not far village Castelletto d'Alba.

Gavi, a little village with an historical importance with its fortress, and the Romanesque Church of San Giacomo, is surrounded by hills rich of

castles of the aristocratic genovese families as Doria, Spinola and Grillo.

In Casale and Aqui Terme live an important Jewish Community which has been placebirth of families as Coen and Sacerdoti; here you can visit the synagogue that dates back to1595, with its interesting museum.

East of Alessandria of particular interest is Tortona (the old Derthona) with its gothic palace Guidobono Cavalchini.

The gastronomy of this area is rich of wines (Barbaresco, Barolo, Fresa, Grignolino), sweets as the "amaretti di Mombaruzzo, "torrone" and "albesi al rhum", mushrooms and truffles.