Torino/Turin

Torino/Turin is our main city of the province, and the 4th largest city of Italy, and yet it maintains a very easy pedestrian central historic core with an old world feel to it and is sadly underrated.It’s an easy day trip from here or would make a good addition to your stay here by adding on a day or two stay in the city, taking in the sights and the lively cafe/ aperitivo culture.

Trenitalia drops you off in the center of the old town and from there it is easy to get around in the city by foot or tram. However, there is a tourist bus that you can hop on and off all day long to orient yourself to Turin and take in the main sights with the purchase of a day ticket. If you are going to be in Torino for a couple of days, at least,there is a very useful tourist card, that offers a package of the tourist bus and discounts on entrance fees and transportation for the many museums and tourist attractions. You can pick up a card in Turin at one of the tourist offices or while staying with us, as some of the discounts apply to a few of our local provincial attractions. You do need to use it for at least two days to get the most benefit of the discounts.

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Turismo Torino Tourist bus and Piemonte card discounts.

Some of the attractions of Torino include:

Kings walk–the covered arcades that emanate from the Savoy palace in the center of Turin and have opulent historic cafes dotted along that will entice you with their pastries and chocolate whilst indulging in Italy’s famous coffee. Torino’s “Bicherin”(be-chah-reen), mixes espresso, chocolate and cream, for a small indulgence while making your rounds of the city. It was first served in the Cafe by the same name over by the opulent Consolata cathedral. Look for a Grom gelateria too for some of the best gelato ever.

Mole Antonelliana and Museo Nazionale del Cinema-Originally intended to be a synagogue, it ran out of moeny wile being built and after being taken over by the city was completed and now houses the very unique and interesting Cinema museum. The lift up through the art deco decoration is worth it and the panoramic view of Torino and the alps is a must do on your list when visiting.

Sindone (Shroud) of Turin located across from the Roman Wall- this houses the famous religious relic in the Duomo behind the Palazzo Reale. There is a permanent display of a facsimile of the cloth in a chapel with in the church. The actual relic is only on display when the Pope decides to bring it out. Currently it is on display and free to view with a pre booked ticket now until May 23, 2010.

Eataly, the flagship store is in an old factory over by the Lingotto area of town, and houses the most amazing collection of Italian food, dedicated to traditional production methods, fair wages and non polluting practices. It is truly an education and experience.

There are numerous other museums, like the Agnelli private collection of paintings housed atop the old Lingotto Fiat factory and where the test track made famous in the original “Italian Job” movie still remains and the Egyptian museum as well as a host of other attractions.

Consider buying the Le Guide Mondadori’s “Turin and the Valley” for more in depth information, history and interesting reading. You can find where to order this hard to track down guide, in the box to the right.