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Telephones

To phone Italy from overseas, use the international dialling code 39 before the number. When calling within Italy always include the area code and the initial 0, even if it’s local. Exceptions are toll-free numbers – which mostly start with 800 – or mobile phones, which begin with 3. When calling from a public phone a prepaid card can be handy as very few accept coins. A carta telefonica can be purchased from tobacconists and shops; remember to remove the dotted corner before use. A mobile phone can also be useful during the trek (recharger and adapter essential), although reception in the alpine valleys of Piedmont is only available about 50% of the time.

Gourmet picnic

Food and Drink

A wonderful array of local dishes is encountered at the guesthouses and refuges along the GTA. Be adventurous and ask for local specialities: Qual’é la vostra specialità?

A common way to begin a meal in Piedmont is with antipasti, starters. Unfailingly worthwhile and varied, they range from home-pickled vegetables to cold meats and cheeses. In addition to the ubiquitous prosciutto cotto or crudo (normal ham or ‘raw’ cured ham), there are infinite varieties of salami including cinghiale (boar), suino (pork), and even asinello (a type of donkey)! Leaner and more delicate is sliced mocetta: originally made with ibex meat nowadays it contains beef, marinated in spices, brandy and honey. In the Cuneo valleys hunt out caiet, a type of chunky salami that has been cooked with herbs. Unusual accompanying bread is dark pane all’acqua, a blend of cereals and malt.