Friendly Piedmont

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Piedmont is far more than most travelers expect. This northern Italian region is a refined blend of history, culture, landscape, food and wine at their highest expression. Framed by the Western Alps—where the 2006 Winter Olympic Games were held—Piedmont is also the birthplace of Italy’s longest river, the Po, and home to elegant lakes such as Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, dotted with enchanting islands and timeless villages.

The region is internationally celebrated for its culinary excellence: white truffles, Barolo and Barbaresco wines, and the rolling hills of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. These landscapes tell the story of a deep connection between land, tradition, and craftsmanship.

Turin, the capital of Piedmont and Italy’s first national capital in the 19th century, is a city of noble elegance. Its grand palaces and royal residences, such as Venaria Reale, stand alongside world-class institutions like the National Cinema Museum. Turin’s refined Baroque architecture and intellectual spirit make it one of Italy’s most fascinating cultural cities.

Turin is also known as a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ visibility in Italy. One of the first Italian cities to host Pride celebrations, it remains a symbol of openness and inclusivity, with a vibrant and engaged community.

Traveling through Piedmont means discovering one of the most complete expressions of the Italian lifestyle. The region offers experiences for every taste: cycling routes through vineyards and gentle hills, scenic drives connecting historic villages and castles, and a network of gay-friendly accommodations that allow you to explore at your own pace.

Piedmont is a destination for every season:
Winter is ideal for skiing and mountain retreats.
Spring brings lush landscapes and blooming countryside.
Summer invites slow travel among vineyards and hilltop villages.
Autumn is the most celebrated time of all, marked by grape harvests and truffle hunting.

Throughout the year, exceptional food, outstanding wines, and warm hospitality remain constant.

Piedmont is far more than most travelers expect. This northern Italian region is a refined blend of history, culture, landscape, food and wine at their highest expression. Framed by the Western Alps—where the 2006 Winter Olympic Games were held—Piedmont is also the birthplace of Italy’s longest river, the Po, and home to elegant lakes such as Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, dotted with enchanting islands and timeless villages.

The region is internationally celebrated for its culinary excellence: white truffles, Barolo and Barbaresco wines, and the rolling hills of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. These landscapes tell the story of a deep connection between land, tradition, and craftsmanship.

Turin, the capital of Piedmont and Italy’s first national capital in the 19th century, is a city of noble elegance. Its grand palaces and royal residences, such as Venaria Reale, stand alongside world-class institutions like the National Cinema Museum. Turin’s refined Baroque architecture and intellectual spirit make it one of Italy’s most fascinating cultural cities.

Turin is also known as a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ visibility in Italy. One of the first Italian cities to host Pride celebrations, it remains a symbol of openness and inclusivity, with a vibrant and engaged community.

Traveling through Piedmont means discovering one of the most complete expressions of the Italian lifestyle. The region offers experiences for every taste: cycling routes through vineyards and gentle hills, scenic drives connecting historic villages and castles, and a network of gay-friendly accommodations that allow you to explore at your own pace.

Piedmont is a destination for every season:
Winter is ideal for skiing and mountain retreats.
Spring brings lush landscapes and blooming countryside.
Summer invites slow travel among vineyards and hilltop villages.
Autumn is the most celebrated time of all, marked by grape harvests and truffle hunting.

Throughout the year, exceptional food, outstanding wines, and warm hospitality remain constant.

Read more

Itinerary

Arrival in Turin and check-in at a gay-friendly 4-star hotel.
The rest of the day is free to start discovering the city at your own pace. Enjoy a first walk through the historic centre or relax at one of Turin’s elegant cafés.

Overnight in Turin.

Meet your local gay or gay-friendly guide for a walking tour dedicated to Turin’s LGBTQ+ history, exploring the city through its hidden stories, symbolic places and progressive spirit.

After the tour, enjoy lunch at a traditional piola, where you can taste authentic Piedmont cuisine such as agnolotti, braised veal, local cheeses and cured meats.

In the afternoon, visit the National Museum of Cinema inside the Mole Antonelliana, Turin’s unmistakable landmark.

Free time to stroll through the city, explore antique shops or enjoy a bicerin, the traditional Turin drink made of coffee, chocolate and cream.

Overnight in Turin.

Departure from Turin towards Venaria Reale, the former hunting residence of the Savoy royal family. Visit the palace interiors and its vast gardens, among fountains, corridors and baroque architecture.

After the visit, continue towards the Piedmont Alps, reaching the mountain area of Cesana.

Check-in at a local alpine hotel and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the mountains.

Overnight in the Alps.

A full day dedicated to the Alpine landscapes.

Depending on the season, enjoy skiing in winter, or walking, trekking and nature experiences during the warmer months. You may also visit charming villages such as Sauze d’Oulx, San Sicario or Pragelato, surrounded by pine forests and mountain scenery.

Overnight in the Alps.

Another day to fully enjoy the mountains at your own pace.
Relax, explore nearby valleys, or simply take in the views of the Western Alps. This day is intentionally flexible to match different travel styles and seasons.

Overnight in the Alps.

Leave the Alps and head south to the Langhe, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of rolling hills and vineyards.

Arrival in Alba, famous for truffles, wine and gastronomy.

Enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery, followed by lunch in town. Depending on the season, you may taste fresh tajarin with truffle, paired with Barolo or Barbaresco wines.

Overnight in Alba.

A day dedicated to the heart of the Langhe wine region.
Explore Barolo and its surrounding vineyards, with additional wine tastings and scenic stops among hills covered with vines.

Return to Alba in the afternoon for a relaxed evening.

Overnight in Alba.

Enjoy a truffle hunting experience in the countryside near La Morra, accompanied by a local truffle hunter and his trained dog. Learn about truffle traditions and end the experience with a tasting.

In the afternoon, you may visit Grinzane Cavour Castle, one of the most important historic castles in the region, or return to Alba for free time.

Overnight in Alba.

Departure towards Monferrato, another UNESCO-listed wine region.
Visit Asti, known for its Palio and Asti Spumante, and continue to Canelli, famous for its underground wine cellars, known as the “Cathedrals of Wine”.

Overnight in Asti or Canelli.

Travel north to Lake Orta, one of the most romantic and peaceful lakes in Italy.

Explore Orta San Giulio, with its narrow streets and elegant villas, and take a boat to San Giulio Island.

Optional dinner at Villa Crespi, a Moorish-style villa turned into a renowned fine-dining restaurant.

Overnight in Orta.

Move to Lake Maggiore and visit the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori.

Explore historic villas, botanical gardens and charming fishermen villages.

Overnight in Stresa.

Free day in Stresa.
Optional visits include Pallanza, Arona, or the impressive statue of San Carlo Borromeo, offering panoramic views over the lake.

Overnight in Stresa.

Return to Turin for your final night.
Enjoy a last stroll, shopping or a farewell dinner in the city.

Overnight in Turin.

Check-out and transfer to Turin Caselle Airport.
End of services.

What's Included

Accommodation
Car Rental
Escorted Tour
Professional gay-friendly guide
Wine tasting

What's Excluded

Everything not clearly mentioned on what's Included
Fuel, extra insurance and motorway fees
Personal extras
City tax (to be paid on the spot)

Additional Information

  • Accommodation is provided in double or twin standard rooms in selected four-star hotels, with breakfast included.
  • This itinerary is fully customizable and can be adapted to your personal interests and travel style.

The Voice of Our Clients

Eric Hodgson
Eric Hodgson OUTbound Travel
Amazing experience, fantastic guides, great organization. Really unique tours led by incredible professionals. All around amazing experience!
Ian
Ian
My husband and I booked the tour of the “Vatican in a gay light” for one morning during our trip to Rome. Our guide, Dario, was very knowledgeable of the historical significe of the art works as well as many of the anecdotes that provided context. We learned a great deal and truly enjoyed ourselves. This tour is too notch! Thank you.
Matt Berg
Matt Berg
Excellent pre-cruise Quiiky tour in Venice. Great guide who had so much intimate knowledge of Venice. Besides being very handsome he is a local resident for more than 2 decades with so much intimate knowledge that you can’t get from a guidebook. This is my second time using Quiiky for tours and transfers; they’re my first choice in Italy!
Dan & Vince
Dan & Vince
First I would like to thank you and your company and all involved for a wonderful trip. From beginning to end we continued to be amazed by all the wonder service we received from all of you. We had a fabulous time for our anniversary. All the guides were great and all better than we expected. It is hard to pick a best as they were all awesome, that being said, three stand out for being most personable and had a excellent sense of how to move us along our tours. Quiiky gets 5 out of 5 for all other ratings. Yes, we would positively reccommend for anyone considering travel to Italy. AND, Giovanna, you’re the best.
Tony & Joseph
Tony & Joseph
We appreciate Quiiky incredible attention to detail. We didn’t have to worry about a thing. The drivers Quiiky arranged were always early, communicated with us very effectively and even called the hotels to inform them we were en route. The guides were all incredibly knowledgeable, kind, fun, and eager to answer our questions. The hotels were beautiful, spacious, and had lots of great amenities. Staff at each hotel were also immensely helpful. We’re happy to be a reference for anyone. We are grateful for all Quiiky did to listen to our specific requests and create an agenda that was perfect for us.
 John Bindlechner-Wigan
John Bindlechner-Wigan
We adored our Quikky tour of the Vatican with our guide Claudio. We had been a little apprehensive about visiting the Vatican but this tour is the way to go! Claudio had an expert knowledge of the art collection and we enjoyed hearing the "other", more scandalous stories of the private lives of Michelangelo and the popes. We loved our visit to the museums, Sistine Chapel, grotto and St Peters - I recommend joining the queue and adding on the view from the dome of the basilica - well worth the stairs!
Denis Dallaire
Denis Dallaire
The excursion to Capri was great! The headphone system worked really well and the guide Andrea was super nice and fun! He was a really good guide and would not hesitate to have him again. The food and drink offerings were very good. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Richard Hurlbut
Richard Hurlbut
Overall, we were thrilled with our tour with Quiiky. We were particularly pleased with our guides and drivers in Salerno, Rome, Florence and Venice. And given the crowds in some locations, the front-of-line privileges were particularly welcome. Money well spent!...... I would recommend any of the guides to anyone considering a similar tour. It was these private tours, and the guides’ depth of knowledge, that made all the difference.....Again, we had a wonderful time and would definitely use Quiiky again should we return to Italy.
Oliver Broad
Oliver Broad
Thanks for a great alternative tour of the Vatican. Having visited back in 1999 I wanted something a little different to do with my husband who had never visited before. It is great to see Quiiky offering tours with a twist and can most definitely recommend this one for your next visit to Rome.
Greg Brady
Greg Brady
First had a wonderful pre-cruise Quikky tour in Venice. Our guide was super friendly, knowledgeable, and a great deal of fun. Then I went on a tour of the Vatican and our tour guide was incredible. He is an expert on the Vatican and on the pertinent gay history (which turns out to be much more than you might even think). He literally made the Vatican come alive and provided one of the more fascinating tours I have taken anywhere. And the two wonderful owners of Quiiky picked us up and took us on a vehicular tour of Rome. Others got back from Rome complaining of the crowds and the heat... we got back energized, happy, and filled with fascinating information after an afternoon filled with fun and personalized care. Don't make the mistake thinking you will get an equivalent tour from a straight guide/company -- if you are gay, Quiiky is the way to go.
Auston Matta
Auston Matta
I highly recommend Quiiky Travel for any guided visit to Rome or Italy. I was both surprised and entertained by everything GAY I learned about the Vatican on my tour. They are passionate about providing an excellent travel experience and I have no doubt that you would enjoy one of their tours or travel products.
Denis Dallaire
Denis Dallaire
What a wonderful experience to Messina and Taormina. Antonio was a great guide with good knowledge and history-telling. Really enjoyed the history of the museum Cusena. Again the food and drinks on the boat were very good. Thank you so much!
Santiago Stanley
Santiago Stanley
Our excursion to Messina and Taormina today was excellent. Antonio was amazing. Our food experience was on point … starting with the granita and Brioche in Messina and the arancini and cannoli in Taormina!!! The boat trip around the bays was spectacular and the food again!!! Eggplant Parmesan and the sardine dish and olives… Again Antonio was patient , knowledgeable sweet and always on time!! Excellent experience!!!
Adam Martindale
Adam Martindale
We had a fantastic tour of the Vatican with Paolo from Quiiky. Paolo was knowledgeable, personable, fun and really gave us a different insight into the history of art and the gay artists that are part of the Vatican’s history and more! Highly recommended!
Theron Clark Stuart
Theron Clark StuartGroup Traveller
It was easy to schedule our tour. Everything was explained in great detail, so there was no confusion on the day of the excursion. The vans were spotless and comfortable. Our guide for the Colosseum was exceptional in every way. He was cute, knowledgeable, witty, flexible and engaging. We met so wonderful folks and shared a wonderful lunch with the guys from our group. Could not have been happier with Quiiky.
Curtis Korchinsky
Curtis KorchinskyGroup Traveller
Fantastic company to work with. Very easy and simple…..and good value. Will definitely book with them again!
Ron Davis
Ron Davis
BEST TOUR COMPANY YOU COULD WISH FOR! I have done two tours in Rome with this amazing company and both times it was 20-30 people Expert process, memorable tours, top notch experience. We arrived by cruise ship and they handled everything. Regardless of how you arrive you will receive a tour that is personal and you feel like you w learned secrets and things you would never ever have heard or known. I wholeheartedly recommend them.
Bob Kobosky
Bob Kobosky
Highly recommend Quiiky.com for tours/day trips in Italy. They did an AMAZING job on our tours in Palermo and Naples as well as arranging a wonderful beach day for us when we disembark in Civitavecchia before heading to the airport in the late afternoon.
Jackson
Jackson
Attentive to details
We were in Venice for a very short time and I was looking for a tour to maximize our experience. Giovanna, the sales manager, was amazing and found a tour to meet our desires and time frame. The guide met us at the train station and took us on a tour of the city. He was insightful and personable and we enjoyed our time together.
Departure:

Friendly Piedmont

From € 2,250

Duration: 13 nights / 14 days
Destination: Piedmont
Inspiration: Adventure

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100% LGBTQ FRIENDLY

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ITALIAN SPECIALIST

Offices in Rome & Milan

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