The affluent city of Turin in Piedmont is not overrun by tourists although it has many art galleries, museums, excellent restaurants, pretty piazzas, beautiful Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture. It is a destination for the ones in the know. Real connoisseurs of Italy go there for good food, culture and a touch of luxury. Here are our suggestions how to splash out in style on your luxury Italy tours while in Turin.
Stay in a plush hotel During the House of Savoy ruling in the 1700s, Turin underwent a major facelift and became a European capital. Some of the best architects built lavish palaces, many of which have been turned into luxury hotels and residences today. Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte is an elegant 5-star hotel in the city center with deluxe rooms and junior suites. The 4-star Starhotels Majestic is located in a grand 200-years old mansion and boasts 19th century furniture and period décor. The charming Art Nouveau style Hotel dei Pittori has 12 impeccably restored junior suites and deluxe rooms with frescoed ceilings and exposed roof beams.
Dine in the best restaurants Piedmont and Turin are big players on the international foodie scene. There are five Michelin starred restaurants in the city. The elegant La Barrique has a choice of traditional, seafood and gourmet menus that are hard to resist. Their smoked eel with marinated scallops in aromatic algae broth is famous.Vintage 1997 serves exquisite traditional dishes with a modern twist: duck breast with annurca apples, citrus strudel, risotto with spinach, saffron and fat liver. Shop ‘til you drop Turin has invested a lot of money in promoting its luxury shopping experience for a reason. There are many excellent high-end boutiques, delicatessens and chocolate shops around the city. For some of the best local cheeses check out the La Baita del Formaggio (via Lagrange, 36). For delicious chocolates head to the shop Stratta (Piazza San Carlo, 191), which has been making some of the best desserts in the city since 1836. Looking for a bespoke perfume? Go to the innovative Bar à Parfums of Olfattorio (Piazza Bodoni, 4F) for a perfume degustation.
Tour the Royal residences Explore opulent palaces of the kings a circuit of 15 Baroque royal residences and their gardens. Swoon at the splendor of the facades, richly furnished rooms and learn about the luxurious life at the Court of the powerful House of Savoy that ruled here for centuries. Photos by: Andrea Mucelli, Giuseppe Moscato, Francesco Urso
