Natural Park of the River Po - Valenza

I have already written about the river Po and the natural trails that you can enjoy near Vercelli. You can also enjoy the river if you go towards Valenza from Casale Monferrato. We discovered this area because we were particularly interested to find a place where the children could dip their toes in the water without too many dangers.

We stopped at at the bridge over the Po, parking on the Valenza saide of it (be careful to park before the Natural Park sign because you may get a ticket - we did!, although it was only a warning). Here not only you can enjoy strolls along the banks, but you can reach the shore and enjoy the wide pebbly beaches and low water level.

This is a photo taken near the spot that we chose. We were there during a Spring weekly day, when Italian schools were still open so there was only another family on the other side of the river.

The weather was hot and the children enjoyed bouncing flat pebbles in the water. We dipped our toes in the chilly water, but I cannot say if it is safe to swim there as the currents can be quite strong. It was a lovely spot and very easy to find so we are planning anotehr visit at the first occasion.

The Natural Park of the River Po - Fontanetto Po

The River Po is the largest Otalian River that starts from teh Monviso Mountain in Piedmont and stretches across Northern Italy from the West to the Eastern coast, where it ends in the Adriatic sea.

There are many walks and stretches of the river where you can enjoy peaceful strolls looking for natural beauty spots, searching for animals and plants, dipping your toes in fresh waters.

Here are some photoes to tickle your imagination so that if you are in Piedmont you may want to dedicate one day or half a day to this marvellous part of the region.

You can reach the river Po from Fontanetto Po, on the way to Vercelli. At the beginning of the walk that takes you along one of the banks of the river there is a map to show you where you are and what you can expect to see.


Not far from the end of the road where you can park your car, there is an old water mill with a picnic area where you can find some tables and benches if you want to stop for some refreshments before or at the end of your walk.

Lines of trees are growing along this stretch of the river and you can walk for miles along this sheltered lanes, listening to nature's sounds and the gurgle of the water of the river nearby.

You finally reach the river bank, although here it is not particularly suitable for bathing as the banks are quite steep and covered with wild vegetation.

La Mandria - Regional Park in Piedmont

North of Turin, near the hunting palace La Venaria Reale, there is a beautiful regional park called La Mandria certainly worth a visit, especially on a beautiful day. La Mandria was created in the 16th century as a hunting reserve for the Savoy family and also was used as a holiday retreat for the King and his Court. There are several buildings that can be visited, including Royal apartments.

We went just for a couple of hours after visiting La Venaria Reale and we did have a relaxing time indeed. Scattered around the grounds there are farms that have been transformed in restaurants, bars and other attractions. One has a bike-hire facilities so for only a few Euros we got a bike each and pedalled around the park. The children absolutely loved it!

We spent a few minutes at the stables where there were two little foals and a few ponies and horses. We fed them straw that was around the paddocks and loughed at the little ones still struggling to stand steadily on their legs!

We ended up having an aperitif at one of the bars, enjoying the sunshine of 6pm. The children asked for some crisps. Since they didn't have any, compliment of the owner, they served us a massive portion of roasted potatoes with rosemary: delicious!

If I'd known it before, I probably would have spent the day at La Mandria, visiting the various buildings throughout the day. It is a much more child friendly environment than La Venaria Reale as you can have a mixture of sight-seeing and free-running!

More about Piedmont golf courses

There has been a thread about golf courses in Piedmont on the slowtrav website.

Other two golf courses that can be easily reached from Villa Mimma are:

I Girasoli
Location: Carmagnola (90 km from Villa Mimma)
Address: Strada Pralormo, 315 - 10022 Carmagnola (TO)
Telephone: +39 011 9795088
e-mail: info@girasoligolf.it
Holes: 18, Par: 71

This golf corse is designed taking advantage of the natural features of the landscape and you can enjoy beautiful views over the Alps.

La Margherita
Location: Carmagnola (90 km from Villa Mimma)
Address: Strada Pralormo, 29 - 10022 Carmagnola (To) (km da Villa Mimma)
Telephone: 011 9795113 - 011 9795204
email: info@golfclublamargherita.it
Holes: 18

This golf course is also very near Turin and very close to I Girasoli.

Golf courses in Piedmont from Villa Mimma

There are many beautiful golf courses that you can reach from Villa Mimma in 30-60min drive. You could tea off looking at the Alps or at the seaside, admiring Lake Maggiore or the wineyards on the hills of the Monferrato region.

Here are a few suggestions:

Golf Club Margara
Location: Fubine (22km from Treville)
Address: Via Tenuta Margara 25, I-15043 Fubine (AL)
Telephone: +39 131 778 555
Holes: 18, Par: 72
Annual Closure: Mondays

Golf Club La Serra
Location Valenza (35km form Treville)
Address: Via Astigliano 42, I-15048 Valenza
Telephone: +39 131 954 778
Holes: 9
Annual Closure January

Bogogno Golf Club
Location Bogogno (60km from Treville)
Address: Via Sant’Isidoro 1 - 28010 Bogogno (NO)
Telephone +39 322 863 794
Email: circologolfbogogno@tiscali.it - info@circologolfbogogno.com
Holes 36, Par 72
Annual Closure No

“The first work” of the American designer Robert Von Hagge is set amid the splendid scenery of the hills behind Lake Maggiore and already fully merits its inclusion among the best courses in Italy and Europe.

Golf Club Villa Carolina
Location:Capriata d’Orba (63km from Treville)
Address: Via Ovada, 51 - Tenuta Coltella, I-15060 Capriata d'Orba (AL)
Telephone +39 143 467 355
Email: golfvillacarolina@tiscalinet.it
Holes 27

Description: “Hic dulcis canitur - Here one grows old gracefully”.
This is the first message one sees on entering the magical peacefulness of Villa Carolina. Bria Silva designed the course taking into account the wonderful hilly nature of the place.

Circolo Golf Torino
Location: Fiano Torinese (73km from Treville)
Address: Via Agnelli, 40, 10070 FIANO T.SE (TO)
Telephone: +39 11 923 5440
Email: info@circologolftorino.com
Holes 36, Par 72
Annual Closure Mondays

The Turin Golf Club was founded back in 1957 in the grounds of “La Mandria”, once the hunting estate of the House of Savoy and now a natural park. Within the club grounds there are two different 18-hole courses set in the ancient woods of the park and furrowed by natural streams that create many suggestive views.

Golf Club Colline del Gavi
Location Tassarolo (80km from Treville)
Address: Strada Provinciale, 2, I-15060 Tassarolo
Telephone: +39 143 342 264
Holes 18, Par 73
Annual Closure January

Golf dei Laghi
Location: Varese (80km from Villa Mimma)
Address: Via Trevisani 926 - 21028 Travedona Monate (Varese)
Telephone: +39-0332-978101 Fax: +39-0332-977532
e-mail: info@golfdeilaghi.it
Holes: 18
Annual closure: January

Eighteen holes set among a wood, pools of water, the backdrop of the Prealps and the majestic horizons dominated by Monte Rosa. Golf dei Laghi is definitely one of the most interesting courses among those recently in the limelight in Italian golfing.

Boat trips to the Riviera and accommodation in Piedmont

It occurred to me that people may not realise that it is possible in a day to go to the Riviera from the Monferrato region and spend the day along the shore in a nice boat, enjoying the sunshine and the seaside, while keeping the base for the accommodation in Piedmont.

I am trying to put together some possible practical itineraries for you to consider. In the meantime, if you have any particular request about boat trips do not hesitate to get in touch with me (Claudia) at claudia@villamimma.com or drop a comment to this post.

Watch out this space!