Asti.

Asti sits among the vineyards of Piedmont, the town that gave its name to Asti Spumante and remains one of the region's centers for Barbera wine. The historic center keeps its medieval layout, with brick towers built by noble families still standing above the rooftops. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta anchors the old town, and narrow streets open onto squares lined with cafés and wine bars.

Each September, the Palio di Asti brings a bareback horse race through the town center. Cellars around Asti offer tastings of both the sweet, sparkling Spumante and the dry, structured Barbera d'Asti, often made from grapes grown within sight of the town walls. Markets in the center sell regional products, from cheese and seasonal produce to the hazelnuts and truffles of the surrounding hills.

Beyond the town, the Monferrato hills roll out in ridges of vineyard and farmland, dotted with small villages built around their own churches and castles. The landscape changes with the seasons, from spring vine growth to the golden colors of the autumn grape harvest.