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Weekend in Turin

Description:

Turin has a unique feel, with the Alps as a backdrop, tiny scooters zipping in and out of the traffic and 18 kilometres of porticoes, its an incredible fusion of baroque and modern. A city almost created for walking, and with a stay in Town House 70 in the heart of Italy's first capital, it's possible to explore many of the major landmarks on foot.

Author: Adrian Petersen

Day 1 - Turin

With only a weekend to see the city, stay close to the city's heart at the Town House 70 hotel, within walking distance of many of Turin's most interesting sights. Town House 70 is one of Turin's chicest hotels, where outstanding service along with an elegant mix of traditional and minimal boutique design is combined with style, elegance and sophistication. Begin with a stroll to Piazza Castello, one of Turin's iconic landmarks, and find an espresso or cappuccino in one of the square's many cafés. At its centre is Palazzo Madama, surrounding it are the Palazzo Reale, the Armeria Reale, the Prefettura, the Teatro Regio, as well as porticoes, restaurants and shops. Have dinner at Arcadia for a taste of local Piemontese food.

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Palazzo Madama

Location:

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Piazza Castello
10122 Turin, Italy

Phone:

+39 011 443 3501

Palazzo Reale e Giardini Reali

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Piazza Castello
10121 Turin, Italy

Phone:

0039 (0) 11 43 61 455

Caffè di Palazzo Madama

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Piazza Castello
Palazzo Madama
10122 Turin, Italy

Phone:

+39 011 443 3501

Arcadia

Location:

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Galleria Subalpina, Piazza Castello
10123 Turin, Italy

Phone:

+39 (0) 11 56 13 898

Teatro Regio Torino

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Piazza Castello 215
Giardino Reale
10124 Turin, Italy

Phone:

+39 011 881 5557

Town House 70

Location:

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Via Xx Settembre 70
10122 Turin, IT

Phone:

+39 011 1970 0003

Day 2 - Turin

Start the morning, by visiting Italy's National Cinema Museum, housed inside the Mole Antonelliana, Turin's iconic building designed by Alessandro Antonelli in 1863. Once Europe's highest masonary building at some 500 feet, today it's image appears on the Italian 2 Euro coin. If it is a clear day, don't miss the opportunity to take the panoramic lift to the viewing platform for great views of the Alps and across the city. If not, skip the ride up, and enjoy the Museum.

Leaving the 'Mole' turn left down Via Montebello across Via Giuseppe Verdi to Via Po. Via Po has many elegantly fronted shops with in arcades running down both sides of the street, a reminder of when the Royal family took a stroll undercover during a different age. There are boutiques, patisseries, cafés and other stores as well as loads of book stalls selling new and second hand books. Don't miss out on the chance to "take" an espresso at one of the cafés, Fiorio is worth a visit, and maybe grab a snack here, to keep you going through the afternoon. At the bottom end of Via Po is Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 360 meteres wide and 111 metres long and the largest porticoed space in Europe. The Embankment and the river Po are just across the square. From here the Vittorio Emanuelle I bridge leads across the river to the Chiesa della Gran Madre built to celebrate Vittorio Emanuelle I's return to Turin after the Congress of Vienna.

Its probably now time to wind down and have an aperitivo. Stroll back across the bridge and try Caffè Roberto, the owner here has invented what is called "apericena", these are not just snacks or nibbles but a massive self-service meal to accompany your apertivi. Open from 18:00 to 21:30, guests can gorge themselves with an amazing selection of salads, pastas, meats, risotto and some quite irresistible sweets, for only 7 euro each.

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Mole Antonelliana

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Via Montebello 20
10124 Turin, Italy

Phone:

+39 ( 0) 11 53 51 81

Museo del Cinema

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Via Montebello 20
10124 Turin, Italy

Phone:

+39 011 813 8560

Caffè Fiorio

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Via Pò, 8
10123 Turin, Italy

Phone:

+39 (0)11 81 70 612

Day 3 - Turin

Its your last today, so head for the Turin's Egyptian Museum, second only to Cairo, it is full of amazing ancient artefacts. Its very easy to spend many hours here but don't miss the Galleria Sabauda, which is in the same building, housing the Royal art collections.

After all this culture head for one of Italy's most stunning and beautiful squares, known locally as Turin's drawing room. Piazza San Carlo is perfectly laid out, porticoed and elegantly proportioned. At the square's southern end lie two churches, on the left, Santa Cristina, on the right, San Carlo, whilst in the centre stands a statue of Emmanuel Filbert, sculpted by Carlo Marocchetti in 1838, known as "El Caval 'd Brons" (The Bronze Horse).

For lunch there are several options, including two of Turin's historical café's, " Caffè Torino" (No. 204) and "Caffè San Carlo" (No. 156). After relaxing and eating, enjoy the Piazza, and don't forget to stand on the bull's most treasured possessions outside Caffè Torino, its meant to bring you luck!

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