Torino May 2011
Torino is and will remain one of the most important European cities for us, because that’s where we met. We flew in from Germany, over the snow-covered Alps, to Milan then overland to Torino. The Grand Hotel Sitea, top hotel in Torino, was our base for this excursion. Service, accommodations, public rooms, and breakfasts were impeccable.
Torino has the perfect blend of all that is Italian – marvelous culture, history, cuisine, architecture, and fashion, with one exception – no seaside, though adds the order and structure derived from its business power and proximity to its northern neighbors. We had the fortune to visit Torino on the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification in 1861. The city is over 2,000 years old and after its Roman origins changed power many times. One of the most notable elements of the city in present day is the Shroud of Turin, the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. It was on a visit to the shroud in 2010 when we met.
The Grand Hotel Sitea has a marvelous breakfast, and since we were fortunate to eat in the garden, were joined by the hotel’s turtles, yes, turtles, which wander in the grass and hide in the bushes. Very calm – they bother no one.
The Eataly food empire is headquartered just outside of Torino and has an amazing building with a huge gourmet store and food emporium with restaurants in the middle of the city. We managed to haul back quite a bit of tasty treats to enjoy at home. After dinner, we took a night drive to capture the city lights.
Turin is the Detroit of Italy, with multiple factories supporting the Italian automobile industry, particularly engines. In the city museum is a large exhibit to the history of the automobile including one of the fastest vehicles of its time, shaped like a bullet, electric at that! Of course, racing cars, such as Ferrari, are prominent among them. Italians don’t only drive Ferraris – some drive Lamborghini, take the tram, or zoom along in the ubiquitous scooters.
We had several other adventures, all good, especially when we were able to get above the city for a view from the Basilica di Superga, with its exhibit of images of all the popes. The architecture of Turin is a delight. Organized in a grid, the city is easy to navigate, with several large piazzas, gardens, and the Po River. Torino is the center of Italian cinematography, with a remarkable museum to the craft in the signature landmark of the city, the Mole Antonelliana, a four-faced dome with a tall needle tower. Additionally, the numerous churches and the Roman tower give Torino a remarkable atmosphere.
One of our favorite foods was focaccia, and thankfully, just a block from our hotel was a delightful focacceria on our way to the Piazza San Carlo. It is hard to visit Italy without at least one meal with risotto, so, we had some of that delightful Italian dish, joined by a fabulous salmon with red peppercorn sauce.
As you can tell, Torino will forever be in our minds and hearts.
Read MoreTorino has the perfect blend of all that is Italian – marvelous culture, history, cuisine, architecture, and fashion, with one exception – no seaside, though adds the order and structure derived from its business power and proximity to its northern neighbors. We had the fortune to visit Torino on the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification in 1861. The city is over 2,000 years old and after its Roman origins changed power many times. One of the most notable elements of the city in present day is the Shroud of Turin, the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. It was on a visit to the shroud in 2010 when we met.
The Grand Hotel Sitea has a marvelous breakfast, and since we were fortunate to eat in the garden, were joined by the hotel’s turtles, yes, turtles, which wander in the grass and hide in the bushes. Very calm – they bother no one.
The Eataly food empire is headquartered just outside of Torino and has an amazing building with a huge gourmet store and food emporium with restaurants in the middle of the city. We managed to haul back quite a bit of tasty treats to enjoy at home. After dinner, we took a night drive to capture the city lights.
Turin is the Detroit of Italy, with multiple factories supporting the Italian automobile industry, particularly engines. In the city museum is a large exhibit to the history of the automobile including one of the fastest vehicles of its time, shaped like a bullet, electric at that! Of course, racing cars, such as Ferrari, are prominent among them. Italians don’t only drive Ferraris – some drive Lamborghini, take the tram, or zoom along in the ubiquitous scooters.
We had several other adventures, all good, especially when we were able to get above the city for a view from the Basilica di Superga, with its exhibit of images of all the popes. The architecture of Turin is a delight. Organized in a grid, the city is easy to navigate, with several large piazzas, gardens, and the Po River. Torino is the center of Italian cinematography, with a remarkable museum to the craft in the signature landmark of the city, the Mole Antonelliana, a four-faced dome with a tall needle tower. Additionally, the numerous churches and the Roman tower give Torino a remarkable atmosphere.
One of our favorite foods was focaccia, and thankfully, just a block from our hotel was a delightful focacceria on our way to the Piazza San Carlo. It is hard to visit Italy without at least one meal with risotto, so, we had some of that delightful Italian dish, joined by a fabulous salmon with red peppercorn sauce.
As you can tell, Torino will forever be in our minds and hearts.
