Turin and Surrounding Area
Nov 28th, 2019 | 09:09 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2019
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Turin and Surrounding Area
Firstly, I want to thank Fodors for having such a wonderful travel forum. So many of you offered such great advice on my first post and I am very appreciative.
My first post had to do with a 16-day road trip through France, starting in Paris and ending up in Marseilles, but after more research (as it happens frequently), we have adjusted our plans and we are now going to end up in Turin, Italy instead of driving further south to Marseilles (from Lyon).
We will have about a week in Turin and its surrounding region, so I am wondering how many days we need in Turin and if you can suggest some day trips from there that would be worthwhile.
Thank you.
Heidi
My first post had to do with a 16-day road trip through France, starting in Paris and ending up in Marseilles, but after more research (as it happens frequently), we have adjusted our plans and we are now going to end up in Turin, Italy instead of driving further south to Marseilles (from Lyon).
We will have about a week in Turin and its surrounding region, so I am wondering how many days we need in Turin and if you can suggest some day trips from there that would be worthwhile.
Thank you.
Heidi
Nov 28th, 2019 | 09:31 AM
#3
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 841
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The Sacra di San Michele is a must, especially if you read the Name of the Rose.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacra_di_San_Michele
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacra_di_San_Michele
Nov 28th, 2019 | 09:44 AM
#4
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,937
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Turin has a very good food scene, they have the original Eataly which is a local institution, the branch in Rome is really quite disappointing by comparison. Eataly is a huge emporium of local wine , beer and food. It had retail shops and many casual dining cafe/restaurants.
The Museo Egizio has one of the best collections of Eygptian antiquities in the world and is well worth a visit.
As is the The Basilica di Superga which is impressive enough but is located on a high hill outside the city. The views are just stunning and it’s huge fun on a nice evening just to see the passeggiata. Great cross section of locals just hanging out.
In terms of longer trips, Alba has excellent restaurants and is equi- distance between the wine growing areas of Barberesco and Borolo both of which offer some of Italy’s best reds and beautiful countryside.
Our Italian friends who live in Turin, very much dispair of the English obsession with Tuscany when Piedmont has so much more to offer. I agree but we still love Val D’Oricia.
What time of year of you visiting?
I’d agree with St Cirq’s comments about car hire, if possible from Lyon drive to Nice, if you have a car. Dump it there and take the train to Turin. The journey is one of the world’s great train trips.
if you want a trip to the Alps then Mont Blanc is visible from Turin and is around a 2 hour drive,
BTW the shroud isn’t on public view in the church which houses it is fairly unimpressive.
The Museo Egizio has one of the best collections of Eygptian antiquities in the world and is well worth a visit.
As is the The Basilica di Superga which is impressive enough but is located on a high hill outside the city. The views are just stunning and it’s huge fun on a nice evening just to see the passeggiata. Great cross section of locals just hanging out.
In terms of longer trips, Alba has excellent restaurants and is equi- distance between the wine growing areas of Barberesco and Borolo both of which offer some of Italy’s best reds and beautiful countryside.
Our Italian friends who live in Turin, very much dispair of the English obsession with Tuscany when Piedmont has so much more to offer. I agree but we still love Val D’Oricia.
What time of year of you visiting?
I’d agree with St Cirq’s comments about car hire, if possible from Lyon drive to Nice, if you have a car. Dump it there and take the train to Turin. The journey is one of the world’s great train trips.
if you want a trip to the Alps then Mont Blanc is visible from Turin and is around a 2 hour drive,
BTW the shroud isn’t on public view in the church which houses it is fairly unimpressive.
Last edited by BritishCaicos; Nov 28th, 2019 at 09:49 AM.
Nov 28th, 2019 | 09:59 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,067
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I agree the Sacra di San Michele is a must. As you will have a car you can drive up there. But if you want to go the "real" way you can hike up. Probably the most strenuous hike I ever did, but it was about 100 degrees the day I did it, and humid. But if you are in decent shape and the weather is more agreeable it would be something to consider. Or take the easy way and drive.
The museum of the cinema was very interesting.
I had three nights/ two and a half days and one of them was mostly take up with the hike to San Michele and that amount of time felt fine.
There's lots to see and do in and around Aosta.
Here's my trip report that covers the area - A month in northern Italy: Mountains, Lakes and Castles
The museum of the cinema was very interesting.
I had three nights/ two and a half days and one of them was mostly take up with the hike to San Michele and that amount of time felt fine.
There's lots to see and do in and around Aosta.
Here's my trip report that covers the area - A month in northern Italy: Mountains, Lakes and Castles
Nov 28th, 2019 | 10:24 AM
#6
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,493
Likes: 1
Agree with the suggestions above. Torino is great for its chocolate and its aperitivi (home of Vermouth). Also, the National Cinema Museum, the Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama and its little garden, GAM (modern & contemporary art), the Agnelli Pinacoteca, walking up to and visiting Santa Maria del Monte, buckets of churches, beautiful piazze, some nice parks. It's a pretty comfortable city just to relax in, good caffe culture, good shopping.
How many days you want in the city itself and how many touring nearby really depends on your interests and preferences. Either way, you will enjoy.
How many days you want in the city itself and how many touring nearby really depends on your interests and preferences. Either way, you will enjoy.
Nov 28th, 2019 | 05:19 PM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2019
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Thanks for your suggestions and your descriptions of Turin. We do love to walk, love fine art museums, enjoy good food and wine (and chocolate), beautiful architecture and all the other niceties that come from being in a delightful European city.
We have been in the Tuscany region a few times and thought it was wonderful but the Piedmont region looks just as nice and fascinating as well. We may also have to take the trip to Mont Blanc, which is something I have always wanted to see (and ride to the top) and did not realize it was doable from Turin until it was mentioned here.
Thanks for everything. If you think of anything else, please do not hesitate to let me know
We have been in the Tuscany region a few times and thought it was wonderful but the Piedmont region looks just as nice and fascinating as well. We may also have to take the trip to Mont Blanc, which is something I have always wanted to see (and ride to the top) and did not realize it was doable from Turin until it was mentioned here.
Thanks for everything. If you think of anything else, please do not hesitate to let me know
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Nov 29th, 2019 | 01:46 AM
#8
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,499
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The mountain villages in the Aosta Valley are stunning. There are cableways from Gressoney to the Monte Rosa area (Endren Glacier), and from Breuil-Cervinia to Testa Grigia (Matterhorn Paradise), from Cogne to Gran Paradiso area or from Courmayeur to either Cresta d'Arp or Pointe Hellbronner (Mont Blanc).
But once in Aosta Valley, I would continue to Chamonix (just a few miles away) and do my car drop off in France (Chamonix, Annemasse, Annecy, Geneva airport French side, Evian or so)
But once in Aosta Valley, I would continue to Chamonix (just a few miles away) and do my car drop off in France (Chamonix, Annemasse, Annecy, Geneva airport French side, Evian or so)
