Just an adventure on the way to Turin airport. After quite a good night at the Holiday Inn, I paid the bill (wasn't cheap because I took an extra points qualifying package) and stupidly checked it AFTER payment. I saw that they had charged me extra for the water bottles (free for Platinum members). No problem, refunded in cash - useful to have a few coins in my pocket.
Found an offbeat bus to the airport out there in the suburbs, where there are just boulevards and industrial buildings. It runs only around 5 times a day so I walked up to the unmarked bus stop 20 minutes early. Just kept asking people where the stop was and whether the bus really existed or not. Would never have known where the stop was otherwise. It turned out to be a service for factory workers. Just as well I went to the stop early, it came 14 minutes early...in a country like Italy!! Didn't accept card payments, just as well I had those coins - but it cost so little, just half the price of the usual airport bus.
Calm check-in area for Air France at Turin airport
Empty boarding area for the flight to Paris
At the airport 2 hours early, I cleared security in minutes. Ended up having a fun moment in the Piedmonte lounge in Turin airport. Still not feeling completely recuperated I had a couple of caffe lungo and a mineral water, with a croissant (which is heavy, I know). But the food station here was disgusting and unhygienic, I didn't touch any of the open food.
Entry to the business lounge at Turin
Seating in the business class lounge in Turin airport
I asked the older barman in the lounge for some Coca Cola and he turned round and gave me an extensive lecture about Coca Cola and how awful it is. To me, who usually never drinks the stuff! Just how could I ask for Coca Cola in Italy? Here is our Italian Coca Cola, he said gruffly, pulling out a bottle of Piemonte prosecco and pouring me a glass. Drink that for breakfast! I ended up having two well filled glasses at 09h in the morning!
Here the barman is pouring prosecco for me
Air France Hop! aircraft at Turin airport