Private Residences unveiled
- Villa La Paesana
Built by the Count of Paesana and Castellar in the early 1700s, Villa La Paesana was reconstructed and expanded in the early 1800s by the Gautier di Confiengo family, who still reside there year-round. They will personally welcome you into the villa’s elegant salons to share family stories. Weather permitting, you’ll also have the chance to stroll through the magnificent 19th-century English garden, designed in the style of German landscaper Xavier Kurten, a hallmark of 19th-century taste.
- Villa Giacosa Valfrè di Bonzo
A rare example of Palladian-inspired architecture in Piedmont, this villa’s main façade boasts a grand tetrastyle loggia on the noble floor, set above a monumental base with round arches. Drawing on Palladian principles, the villa occupies a privileged position and features a harmonious connection with its annex, neo-Gothic icehouse, garden, and other structures of the complex.
Key Locations
- Carignano: Explore the historic center starting with the Cathedral and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, then visit the Charitable Hospice, the Valinotto Chapel, and the Civic Tower.
- Casalgrasso: Discover where the Po River, strengthened by the waters of the Pellice and Maira streams, enters the “Special Nature Reserve of the Maira Confluence.” The lush riverbanks are home to herons and storks, often seen at Racconigi, offering excellent photography opportunities.
- Pancalieri: Known as the home of peppermint since 1865, this small village boasts a rich tradition. Visit the historic Chialva Distillery for tastings and insights, then explore Villa Giacosa Valfrè di Bonzo to learn about a family’s dedication to herbal cultivation, craftsmanship and innovation, celebrated worldwide to this day.
- Piobesi: Tour the old village and admire the 15th-century frescoes at the Church of San Giovanni ai Campi. End your journey with a visit to Villa La Paesana, a quintessential countryside residence complete with a stunning romantic park featuring North American plant species.
Journey Storytelling: An Untouched Po River Nature Reserve, Peppermint Museum, and Visits to Carignano, Pancalieri, and Piobesi
Starting in Turin and following the course of the Po River, immerse yourself in an environment of rare beauty where the untouched nature of the river park meets the masterful work of humankind.
As you traverse colorful, fragrant plains, you’ll discover both natural and cultural treasures. Art, charming villages, ancient noble estates, and deeply rooted agricultural traditions enrich this corner of Italy, infusing it with history and heritage.
Extraordinary locations, best explored leisurely, come alive through the voices of their residents, who preserve the culture, knowledge, and flavors of the land.
The tour is part of the “Dimore Amiche del Piemonte” project, in collaboration with FIAVET Piemonte (Italian Federation of Travel and Tourism Associations).
Information and Prices
- Duration: Full-day tour, approximately 11 hours
- Cost per person: €95.00
- The tour is conducted in Italian. Please inquire in advance for other languages
The cost includes:
- Round-trip transportation by reserved GT coach (from Turin)
- Highway tolls and parking fees
- Accompaniment by a tour guide
- Entrance to Villa La Paesana and Villa Giacosa Valfrè di Bonzo
- Guided tours of historical locations
- Tastings of local products and wines
- Lunch in a typical Piedmontese restaurant
- Unipol Sai travel and medical insurance
For information and bookings: piemonte@adsi.it (Reference #PT2403)
