A very nice person on the regional train from Novara explained the Turin transport system and the prices. I ended up getting an unlimited day ticket which cost just €4, and I used it on the new metro system, as well as on buses and trams which looked like they dated back to the 1950s! You can obtain these tickets in little kiosk shops indicated with a T for Tabacchi but you'll need loose change. I found the single metro line fairly easy to use and it was the most efficient way to get to the Holiday Inn. At one point I got on the number 13 tram in the wrong direction, but it was quite easy to correct by simply talking to people.


A wonderful shop full of enticing Italian produce


The alleyways of central Turin with the same focaccia place I visited back in February

I think one of the problems with Turin is that I have tended to arrive there on the "wrong" days, a Sunday or, in this case, a Monday. On Monday many restaurants and kitchens in bars are closed because it is the traditional day of riposo. Downtown Turin is really pleasant to walk around because much of it is pedestrian friendly and getting lost is part of the fun. The old center is quite compact though, and I quickly found myself on the same streets I visited last time, including passing the focaccia place from that visit!


The bar which is called Caffè-vini Emilio Ranzini


The Boka bar, which doubles as an aperitivo place and a restaurant

I began with a glass of Chardonnay, by no means my favourite grape sort, in the charming old world Caffè-vini Emilio Ranzini. At €1,50 it proved my point about Domo being too expensive. But further on, at the Boko bar, I tried some specialist wines, such as Gewürztraminer from the Alto Adige region, better known as the Südtirol to German readers. That, including the Arneis from near Turin, was on offer for €7 a glass which I suppose is normal for less ordinary wines. While I was at Boko I had a decent portion of tagliatelle con ragu, which was a more than adequate meal.


Excellent Arneis white wine from the Turin region


Wandering around the old central part of Turin

Returning to the hotel, I enjoyed my platinum member free drink and lounged around the upgraded room before going to bed well before midnight. I think that there are many places to discover in Turin and, anyway, I would like to come back to see the Egyptian Museum and the Mole Antonella, as well as discover some of the Aperocena places.