Turin (Italy) > Reviews > An education

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around

Advantages:	Scenery, museums, food, shopping
Disadvantages:	English not widely spoken  -  brush up on the basics before you go

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

What I knew about Turin you could write on the back of a postage stamp - home of FIAT, famous Shroud, The Italian Job - boy did I have a lot to learn!

The capital of the Piedmont region, Torino became home to the Kings of Italy when Vittorio Emanuale II of the House of Savoy (which had reigned in the area for 500 years) was crowned and the beautiful palace, Palazzo Reale (piazza Castello 191) is well worth a visit. Tours take place every hour. Don't be alarmed if you do not get an English speaking guide, there are detailed written descriptions in each room in English and French and you are given time to read them before being moved on.

**Getting there and Where to Stay**

With Ryannair offering such great deals, even the overnight stay and early departure from Stansted were worth it. Flight time to aeroporto Pertini CASSELLE airport is approx 2 hours.

There are options for getting to central Turin :-

 Taxi will cost between €25 and €35 although if the traffic is bad, who knows………
 Coach departs every 30-45 mins and takes approx 40 mins to do its several stops, terminating at the main Porta Nuova Railway Station where there is a good Tourist Information Office on the main concourse. Cost is €5 one way
 Train is rather more exciting! Departures from the airport station (reached by a short walkway from arrivals) are every 30 mins from 6.30 am - 11.30 pm. You must change on to the bus at Dora Station for onward transmision to the Centre. Tickets are valid on both train and bus and cost €3 single.

There are many hotels in the city in all price ranges and main chains such as Novotel, Holiday Inn and Best Western are all represented. We stayed slightly out of the centre at the 3 star Hotel Plaza, (Via I Pettiti) where a double room with ensuite cost €95.45 for the first nigh (Thur) and €75 for the other two nights (Fri & Sat). There were plenty of places to eat, drink and shop nearby including a small daily market.

**My Highlights**

An absolute must for short-stay visitors is the Torino Card which costs €15 for 48 or €17 for 72 hours. For this you get FREE ENTRY to more than 120 attractions in Turin and the surrounding region, FREE TRAVEL on all urban public transport, Tourismo Bus and boats on the River Po together with reductions on guided tours, bicycle hire (available in all parks) and theatre and concert tickets.

Cattedrale di Torino - Home of the famous Turin Shroud which is contained in a large conservation & display case for protection, below the Royal Box of the Savoy family.

Museo di Antichitá (via xx Settembre 88c) - Houses antiquities discovered during excavations in the Piedmont area and the old Roman city of Susa - an impressive collection of silver is one of the highlights.

Museo Egizio (via Acadamia delle Scienze 6) - with the largest collection of Egyptian artefacts and art outside Cairo, this museum is a must see. It is housed over 3 floors and has a lot of exhibits so allow plenty of time.

La Mole Antonelliana (Via Montebello 20) - In the University area, this building affords the best view of Turin and the surrounding area. You ascend in a glass lift through the Museo Nazionale del Cinema which is housed in the same building (and has great interactive exhibits) to a viewing terrace which is mid-way up the building.

Parco del Valentino - huge park which stretches between the two bridges over the River Po and has woods, paths, botanical gardens and buildings including an exhibition centre, Castello Valentino and the excellent model medieval castle and village - Borgo Medioevale

**Shopping**

Whilst not as well known as Milan for shopping (only an hour away by train), Turin has plenty of places to spend your money. Via Roma is the place for designer shops, there are shoe shops (heaven) and others in all areas including the Department Stores Coin and La Rinascente

**Food and Drink**

As befits the Italian love affair with food, there are many places to eat. A cheap way to "do lunch" is to visit one of the Self-Service Caffeterias where you will be joined by everyone from executives to students. At the Family Sad di Cardona (Via Bogino 2) there was loads of choice and we enjoyed a large salad, vegetable lasagne, bread, fruit salad and water for two people at only €11.60.

You're also spoilt for choice for evening meals but we did find one particularly good one close to our hotel - Area Nova (via Madam Cristina 108) where we had a 3 course meal including drinks and some of the fantastic house spicy salami for €41.

A lot of the summer nightlife centres around the riverside clubs/ristorante along the Po which are former boathouses. When we visited in mid-May they were being spruced up ready for the season.

There are many other bars in Turin that serve good beer (including Guinness) and food ranging from the very simple to top standard. The local wine is Barolo which is consumed in great quantities. There are also fantastic cakes to be had at the many coffee/tea shops and, it being Italy, we had to sample the wares of a few Gelateria - the range of ice-cream flavours is absolutely amazing.