Arrived in Asti yesterday afternoon. After the long drive from Grenoble, we didn't feel like doing too much, so we just checked into our hotel (Hotel Lis) and veged out for the rest of the day. Found a great little restaurant close by to dine at that night, the Osteria del Palio. We started with some cured meats and bread, washed down with a local Asti Spumante (nothing like the rubbish we get back in Australia). Julie opted for only a main meal (lamb cutlets and roasted potatoes) while I started with an antipasti dish of warm octopus and potato salad (simply sumptuous) followed by a dish of veal loin cooked with a truffle sauce (superb). All washed down with a bottle of very fine red from the local area (Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato). We're starting to like Italy already.

Woke up this morning to the sight of snow falling . Everything was covered in a light blanket of white powder. What a bonus, we didn't think we'd get snow, especially in this part of Italy. After a leisurely breakfast (wonderful selection of meats, cheeses, breads and coffee) we ventured out for a bit of sightseeing. There isn't much in the way of major attractions here in Asti, so we opted to just stroll around the city center, partake of a coffee or two, wander through the markets (open despite the snow), and just generally soak up the local atmosphere. One thing should be mentioned about Italian cities - it's not always about attractions. The cities/towns are an attraction in their own right: the architecture, the history, the people, the food. And the perfume shops - Julie insisted we browse through each one (prices here are really much cheaper than back home). By the time we had explored them all we smelt like the inside of a bordello (no dear, I wouldn't know what the inside of a bordello smelt like).

I wouldn't say that Asti is a must see city. But if you're passing through, it's well worth a stop and a quick look. Lots of interesting architecture, some good restaurants and bars, and a good variety of fashion shops. We're certainly not disappointed we stopped here.