First, we visited the city of Alba in Piedmont, about 30 km from Asti (which you've heard of, at least from a wine bottle label). It was very different from the medieval towns we've been in the habit of visiting. The city is very current and modern in addition to having a long history and has the vibrant feeling of a small city with a successful population. It is the type of city that would be a pleasure to live in, but I didn't feel as amazed by it as a tourist as I am when we visit a medieval town way up in the hills. Still, it was worth a visit for an afternoon, but I was anxious to get out into the countryside.
Alba is the sister city of Medford, Oregon! (I don't really get this)
It was market day, so it was a bit crowded. Peter couldn't find a hat he liked so he stole mine.
We had lunch off the main piazza (surrounding the church, of course). Although we were in danger of this location being a tourist trap, it was not overpriced and the food was authentic and good. There were far more foreign tourists here than we've been used to, but the city manages to not feel "touristy" in a bad way.
Our lunch included a medley of typical Piemonte dishes. Peter recognized much of it from his nona's cooking, like vitello tonnato (veal with tuna sauce), which his mom still makes. Peter's mother is from the province of Cuneo, where Alba is located.
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, Duomo di Alba:
Next up: Hotel Ca' dell Lupo and Barolo!
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