The city of Alba, best known for its international fair which takes place in October, a celebration of the local "ill tartufo bianco" or white truffle, which attracts droves of visitors.  After tickling your taste buds, there's also the Alba Music Festival, an international cultural festival which overflows into neighbouring towns like Asti.  Asti itself is well worth the detour, for the countryside of course, but also for its famous  horse race.