We are in the same boat as Ebeth: can't change the dates, but still looking forward to the trip and making the best of what's available. We will have a car and are not worried about the cold and snow - that's what makes it an adventure.

We're interested in restaurants, wine, ham, cheese, and festivals, but we're open to anything

I'm planning a trip to Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont over the first two weeks of January. The first restaurants and agritourismos I have looked into appear to be closed at that time -- especially in the Alba area (da cesare, dei cacciatorre, ada nada). Is this a bad time to travel to these regions for a food and wine trip?

Thanks!!