Lying within Italy's third largest province, known locally as Provincia Granda, Cuneo is surrounded by breathtaking Alpine scenery, at the foot of the Maritime Alps in western Italy. Founded in 1198, Cuneo, Coni in Piedmontese, was a fortified town, guarding the roads via the Maddalena and Tenda passes to France, a quite necessary precaution as over the years the French besieged Cuneo seven times! Today Cuneo is well known for its Renaissance style architecture and 8 km of porticoed streets lined with shops and cafés. Whilst Piazza Galimberti, the large main square, is at the heart of the city and where the renowned Tuesday market takes place. Cuneo also makes a great base for excursions into the nearby mountains and valleys. There are many ski resorts such as Artesina, Limone Piemonte, Prato Nevoso and Sestriere close by as well as historic towns like Fossano, Mondovi and Saluzzo.

Cuneo: Events and Festivals:

Last Sunday of each month - Antique Market
February: Festa del Cioccolato (Annual Chocolate Festival)
September: Celebration of the town's patron saint, St. Michael Archangel.
October: Fiera delle Castagne (The Chestnut Fair)

Cuneo: Local Food and Drink:

There are numerous delicacies from this region including Cunesi al Rhum (rum flavoured chocolates), Gnocchi al Castelmagno (Gnocchi with Castelmagno cheese) and Cuneo's own prosciutto. Local fruit and vegetables in this greengrocers oasis include red apples, strawberries, San Rocco Castagnaretta carrots, Fagioli di Cuneo (Cuneo beans), wild mushrooms and chestnuts to name but a few. The wines from the Province of Cuneo are legendary, particularly the reds, Barolo, Barbera, Barbaresco and Dolcetto. There are also white wines such as Asti Spumante, Moscato d'Asti and Roero Arneis.

Cuneo: Top Ten Tips:

1. See the Church of San Francesco with its 15th Century marble portal and
Civic Museum housed inside.
2. Enjoy the Civic Museum (Museo Civico) and admire the collection of
Piedmont Art.
3. Visit the Chapel of Santa Maria del Bosco and admire the frescoes by
Giuseppe Toselli.
4. Admire Villa Tornaforte, Madonna dell’Olmo, a former Augustinian convent
turned stately home, surrounded by an English style park.
5. Take a stroll around Piazza Galimberti where the renowned Tuesday market
takes place.
6. See the 18th century Cathedral of Santa Croce with its concave façade.
7. Visit Villa Oldofredi Tadini, built in the 14th/15th century as a
watchtower, just outside the city gates.
8. Enjoy the four large parks from where there are great views of the
mountains and the local countryside.
9. See the Baroque Church of Sant'Ambrogio on Via Roma, dedicated to the
patron saint of Milano.
10. Visit nearby Vernate, an outdoor memorial to Mussino the illustrator of
Pinocchio.

Cuneo Must do: "Cuneo-Ventimiglia-Nice railway"

It was in 1856 when Nice and its Comté were still part of the Piedmont
kingdom that King Victor Emmanuel II promised the "rapid" construction of a
railway between Nice and Coni (Cuneo) to connect Piedmont with Liguria and
the riches of Provence. The Cuneo-Ventimiglia-Nice railway line is a
paradise for train lovers. You don't have to be an anorak to enjoy this
journey. Completed in 1928, it was damaged and partially destroyed during
the Second World War and not re-opened until 1979. Today the line travels
through over 80 tunnels, using unique full circle tunnels to gain height, on
a route covering some 96 km from Cuneo to Nice. The train passes through the Col de Tende tunnel in France, 1040 metres above sea level, before
descending to the lovely mountain village of Breil sur Roya where you can
either change trains and travel through the Roya Valley to Ventimiglia on
the Italian Riviera or stay on board and continue to Nice. - It just has to
be done.....

Cuneo, how to get there:

Cuneo straddles the Stura di Demonte River, about 90 km south of Turin and
Ventimiglia on the Italian Riviera.

By Plane:

Cuneo Airport, Aeroporto Internazionale di Cuneo, is about 16 km north of
the city, at Levaldigi and is served by a number of airlines including
Ryanair. The Aeroporto di Torino (Turin Airport) is about 90 minutes whilst
Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa (Milan Malpensa Airport) is about two and a
half hours. Both Turin and Milan airports are well served by major airlines
and budget ones such as Easyjet and Ryanair.

By Bus:

There are good local bus services to outlying towns and villages.

By Car:

From Turin take the A6 Autostrada, Torino - Savona exit Cuneo.

From Milan/Piacenza take the A21 Autostrada Piacenza - Turin, exit Asti Est
follow signs to Alba, Bra, Fossano and then Cuneo.

By Train:

Cuneo is connected by rail to Turin via Saluzzo and via Ceva and Mondovi to
Genoa. It is also at one end of the famous Cuneo-Ventimiglia-Nice line, a
paradise for train lovers. There is also a Railway Museum at Cuneo Station.

Adrian Petersen is the Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta Editor for Wandering Educators.

Feature photo from flickr courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingirogiro/79300882/