I'll be in Turin for two weeks teaching end of July. I'll have mornings or afternoons free, depending on the week. I was there last year with my young son and didn't get a chance to do lots. This year I'm on my own.

I'm looking for recommendations of must sees (saw the egyptian museum last time), must eats and must buys.

Also, planning a weekend trip to Venice...same types of questions.

thanks,

Lorna

Hi Lorna -- there are lots of day trips available from Torino: Alba, Barbero, Barbaresco, Stresa and Verbania (on Lago Maggiore), Lago d'Orta, etc. Or head up into the mountains towards Aosta.
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13F

I highly recommend taking in the Italian alps if possible. Venice is also the most confusing Italian city that anyone I know has been to. Have you considered Florence? If your heart is set on going to Venice, stay in Lo Condo de Silva (from memory) right by St. Marks. $80 a night with private bathrooms.

Thank you both for your suggestions.

Lorna

Restaurants suggestions anyone?

I'll be hopping to Turin in October for the Springsteen concert so I thought I'd take advantage of Lornag's thread. I'm familiar with bars and such in Turin but not restaurants

I was in Turin in the spring with a music conference that my daughter attended.

Things to do in and around Turin.
- Hang out at Piazza San Carlo at one of the Cafes
- Armeria Real (Royal Armory)
- Shop on via Po.
- walk along the Po
- People who like movies liked the Museo Nazionale del Cinema in the Mole Antonelliana.

- I did some day trips up into the valleys going up to the Alps using trains and buses. I would recommend using a car if you want to do a day trip up to the alps.

- If you want to do a train trip up to the edge of the Alps which might work for late afternoon/evening trip. Try going to Avigliana. Take the Susa Line.
Get off at Avigliana. Walk up to the ruins of the castle while it is still light, and get a view of the Alps and some good looking lakes. Afterwards go down to the Piazza de Conte Rossi and eat at one of the restaurants. I was there midday, and did not get a chance to eat at one, but they looked like they might make for an interesting dinner. Make sure to get back to Turin while the trains are still running.

- As for a weekend trip to Venice. I went to Venice because my wife and kid wanted to go there, and I did not expect much from Venice. I found it to be a wonderful city that is still going on momentum from being the most powerful and richest city in the 'western' world. I would rate it as a must see, and after two days there I would like to go back and see more. I was there in April so it was not as crowded as it can be. My favorite experience was when I got lost taking a 'short-cut' and discovered that when you get away from the tourist hotspots, that there are authentic venetians living along canals with everything coming in by boat or porter.

EW