The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will bring huge attention to Northern Italy in 2026. Most visitors will naturally focus on Milan and the mountain venues. But if you’re already travelling this far, it makes sense to see another side of the region — and that’s where Piedmont comes in.

Piedmont isn’t about crowds or big-city pace. It’s vineyard landscapes, historic hill towns, serious food and some of the most important wines in Italy — Barolo, Barbaresco and Nebbiolo at its best.

Winter is a great time to visit. The vineyards are quiet, the views across the Langhe are incredibly clear, and it’s peak season for classic Piedmontese dishes — tajarin, slow braised meats, rich mountain cheeses — all built for long lunches and proper wine drinking.

From a practical point of view, it’s easy. You can leave Milan in the morning and be in the Langhe in time for lunch. Olympic energy one day, vineyard landscapes and cellar visits the next.

We expect a lot of visitors will plan Italy trips around the Olympics. What we usually see is simple — the event brings people to Italy, but regions like Piedmont are what people remember most.

If you’re already coming for Milano Cortina 2026, it’s the perfect time to add a few days discovering one of Italy’s most authentic wine regions.