Episode #315: A Perfect Day in Alba with a Local

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Alba, in the heart of Piemonte in northern Italy, is famous for its truffle festival – but what’s the best way to explore this beautiful town and its surroundings? We get a local’s perspective on how to spend a perfect day here, from browsing family-run boutiques and dining at fantastic restaurants to enjoying its child-friendly (and sometimes chocolate-scented) streets and unforgettable food and wine experiences in the Langhe region.

Contents

Summary

In this episode, host Katy is joined by Monica Cazzamani Bona, a proud Piedmontese living in Australia and founder of language school Su Misura Italy. They explore the charm of Alba in the heart of Piemonte’s wine country, diving into what makes this town so special. Discover how to spend the perfect day, from strolling its Medieval and cobbled streets to exploring its family-run businesses, bustling markets, tiny piazzas and taking in incredible views of the nearby hills and vineyards – all capturing the warm, authentic spirit of this delightful corner of northern Italy.

What you'll learn in this episode

Start your day like a local in Alba’s historic centre. Begin with coffee in one of the elegant piazzas such as Piazza Risorgimento or Piazza Duomo, then wander the cobblestone streets lined with family-run boutiques, bookstores and gourmet food shops. Learn what makes Alba’s medieval layout, portico-lined walkways and independent shopping culture so special – and why comfortable shoes are essential on the cobbles
Eat well – from classic trattorias to Michelin stars. Discover where to enjoy a memorable lunch featuring local specialties like tagliarini, agnolotti del plin and seasonal truffles, and how to plan your meals strategically (long lunch vs relaxed dinner). You’ll also learn why this small town boasts an impressive concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants and why the overall food quality is exceptional at every level
Head into the Langhe for wine and views. Spend the afternoon exploring the rolling hills surrounding Alba, with scenic drives through Barolo and La Morra. Visit a winery producing Nebbiolo, Barbera and Arneis, and learn how soil, weather and tradition shape these world-famous wines
Add immersive local experiences. Go beyond sightseeing with ideas like truffle hunting (in season), hazelnut tastings, cooking classes to learn regional pasta-making, and visits to both boutique and larger producers, to deepen your understanding of the region’s food culture
End with sunset and a sense of place. Finish your day with dinner overlooking the vineyard-covered hills framed by distant Alpine peaks or head back in town as cafés transform into wine bars

Timeline Overview

06:29 Alba is a perfect slow travel destination. Discover what makes Alba so special, from its relaxed pace of life to its reputation for truffles, wine and incredible food in the heart of the Langhe region
12:09 The character and history of Alba – Monica talks about Alba’s medieval past, cobblestone streets and elegant historic centre, and why its traditional atmosphere and family-run businesses make it such a memorable place to explore
16:33 Practical tips for visiting Alba. Monica shares advice on how to plan your visit, including why having a car is helpful for exploring the surrounding hills and vineyards beyond the town itself
20:34 Local food traditions you should try. Find out about signature dishes like tagliarini, the rich egg pasta of the region, along with insights into truffles, hazelnuts and the deep culinary traditions of Piemonte
29:04 Wine, landscapes and unforgettable dining. Explore the vineyard-covered hills of the Langhe, the dramatic Alpine backdrop, seasonal food culture and why Alba is also home to some of Italy’s most celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants

About our guest – Monica Cazzamani Bona from Su Misura Italy

Monica Cazzamani Bona brings a passion for Italian culture and language to her business Su Misura Italy. Born in Govone, Piemonte (Piedmont), Monica learned the essence of Italian hospitality from her grandparents’ grocery store. With a background in Architecture from Turin, Monica’s heart remains tied to the Langhe & Roero hills. Su Misura Italy was founded in 2018 to share Italian culture and language in a personalized way. Monica’s teaching vision focuses on making learning relaxed and enjoyable, with customized attention for each student.

Su Misura Italy offers bespoke Italian language lessons tailored to your needs and goals, since 2018. One-on-one sessions are conducted on Zoom for flexibility and convenience. They specialize in helping adults navigate their unique journey to fluency and provide an alternative to standard group classes, catering to individual learning styles and preferences. Monica and her team work with students all over the world.

Book a free meet and greet with Monica to discuss your language goals and preferences >> here. The meet and greet helps Monica match you with the best teacher from her team and create a customized lesson plan tailored to you.

Follow Monica here

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Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Dromana – on the Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne, Australia, where Monica is now living
Alba – in the Province of Cuneo in Piedmont, is historically known as the “City of a Hundred Towers” (Città delle Cento Torri)
Via Vittorio Emanuele – known locally as Via Maestra, this street in Alba is the primary pedestrian thoroughfare in the historic center, connecting Piazza Cavour to Piazza Savona. Lined with boutiques, family-run shops, and cafes, ideal for strolling and shopping
Langhe, Roero, Monferrato – these form a unified UNESCO World Heritage site in Piedmont, renowned for world-class wine, truffles, and dramatic, undulating vineyards. Langhe is famous for robust Barolo and Barbaresco; Roero offers lighter Nebbiolo and crisp white Arneis; and Monferrato is known for diverse Barbera, Asti Spumante, and historic “Infernot” cellars
Torino (Turin) – major city in northern Italy, accessible to Alba by train, noted for its elegant architecture, covered porticos, and vibrant cultural scene
La Morra – picturesque hilltop town in the Langhe region, offering stunning vineyard views and culinary experiences
Piazza Michele Ferrero – central piazza in Alba, named after the inventor of Nutella, popular spot for cafes
Piazza Risorgimento (Piazza del Duomo) – Alba’s cathedral square, location of notable restaurants and a hub of local life
Piazza Rossetti – charming piazza in Alba, a favorite spot for people-watching and enjoying a coffee
Caffé del Teatro – historic, cozy café in Alba known for its ambiance, classical music, and limited seating
La Piola – traditional restaurant on Piazza Risorgimento in Alba, celebrated for regional classics like tagliarini pasta and agnolotti del plin
Piazza Duomo – three Michelin star restaurant upstairs from La Piola, highlighting innovative cuisine in Alba
Ceretto – acclaimed winery in the Alba area, offering comprehensive wine tours and tastings
La Vedetta – small, educational-focused winery run by Marco, providing personalized insights into local wine production

Food / Drink

Bunet – (often spelled bonèt in Piedmontese dialect) is a traditional spoon dessert (dolce al cucchiaio) originating from Piedmont, particularly associated with the Langhe and Monferrato areas. It is a rich, custard-like pudding often described as a chocolate-amaretti version of crème caramel
Agnolotti del Plin – while this is a food, the name refers to the Piedmontese dialect term “plin,” meaning “pinch,” describing the unique handmade technique used to form these stuffed pasta pockets
Tajarin – a beloved local pasta, with a high ratio of egg yolks to flour, making for a rich pasta that goes especially with local truffle
ragù di salsiccia – sauce made with local veal sausage, traditional pairing with tagliarini
Nutella – iconic chocolate-hazelnut spread originating from Ferrero, first factory located in Alba
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto – the main grape varieties grown in the region, central to the identity of local wines like Barolo and Barbaresco
Moscato, Arneis – Notable local white grape varieties discussed in the context of wine tasting and education around Alba. Moscato being a sweet wine
Arneis – aromatic local white wine from Piedmont
Moscato – sweet, lightly sparkling white wine typical of the region

Words / Concepts

Ferrero – founded in 1946 in Alba, Italy, by Pietro Ferrero, the Ferrero Group is a leading global confectionery company, famous for iconic brands like Nutella, Kinder Eggs and Ferrero Rocher
Che bella – “How beautiful!”
Passeggiata – the Italian cultural tradition of taking a leisurely stroll, especially in the evenings or after meals—part of daily life in towns like Alba
Portico – covered walkways, often found in northern Italian cities (Torino is cited as another example), providing pedestrian shelter from the weather
Truffle Festival (Fiera del Tartufo) – celebrated annual event in Alba (mainly October–December), drawing food lovers from around the world for white truffle season

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