In the hills of Piedmont, some of Italy’s most celebrated wines begin in a landscape of steep vineyards, hazelnut groves and small hill towns. Around Barolo and the Langhe, days can be spent walking between vineyards, meeting producers and tasting wines within sight of the slopes where the grapes were grown. Come autumn, the woods around Alba reveal one of the region’s rarest treasures: the prized white truffle, still hunted with trained dogs and an intimate knowledge of the land.

Further east, Emilia-Romagna brings its own extraordinary food culture. Parmigiano Reggiano, traditional balsamic vinegar and Prosciutto di Parma are still made according to methods refined over generations, and some vinegars are older than the people tasting them. Modena, meanwhile, has become a destination for some of Italy’s most imaginative cooking. Here, knowing who made something, where it came from and how long it took is all part of the enjoyment.

Spend time in this place and you quickly understand how much care goes into the things that reach the table. Stay among vineyards and rolling countryside, in considered retreats where local food, wine and the people who produce them become part of the experience. Walks through the landscape bring you closer to growers and makers, while long lunches leave plenty of time to appreciate the results. This is a part of Italy that asks you to slow down and savour every moment.