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This city is often overlooked by tourists who flock to cities like Rome and Florence, but that would be a real mistake to make. Made famous internationally by the 2006 winter Olympics, Turin has a lot to offer and is now being recognized as a pretty cool city to see. The first capital of Italy, this city has a lot of historic roots. But don’t think it’s old and outdated. Turin is also one of the most modern and up and coming cities in the country. Turin has one of the best locations too. Nestled between the Mediterranean Ocean, France, and the rest of Italy, Turin makes getting around and seeing Europe quite easy. And college students love convenience to see as much of Europe as possible on a trip.

Turin Pictures

Things to do in Turin

Piedmont, where Turin is located, is famous for its’ incredible wine. Although when discussing Italy it is hard to not find a good wine region. Piedmont has some fantastic vineyards. While fall is the prime season for the grape varieties, summer is when they are in the process of growing and are nice to see on a tour. The benefits of traveling in the summer also is that the vineyards aren’t as busy with the wine production. Tours of these wineries can be found all over the region. Many touring companies will pick up groups in the city and take them out to the various vineyards with a complimentary lunch. In the center of the city there is a lot to do and see as well. Mole Antonelliana is one of the stand-out landmarks of the city. Once a synagogue, the building is now one of the best and most extensive cinema museums in Europe. The original cape that Christopher Reeve wore in the Superman movie is here. The most famous Egyptian Museum, besides the one in Egypt, is located here. Over 30,000 exhibits are housed within these walls that were built in the late 1800’s. Palazzo Madama has recently been open to the public for viewing. Once home of the Queen and now a showcase of the Royal Family during Baroque and Medieval times. The Castello di Rivoli is located in the town of Rivoli, right next to Turin. This town is accessible via bus. The castle here is open to the public and people can tour around the unfinished rooms. You will also want to make a point of seeing The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. This duomo is quite impressive. Walk around inside and check out the paintings.

Nightlife in Turin

Many of the bars in Turin are located by the river. Why this is, we are not sure. But what is important to know is that you can have a really fun time with a mix of young and older crowds here. Many people who visit Turin enjoy mixing their dinners with casual drinks and conversation. The good thing about this city is the waiters at restaurants will not hover over you to chase you out of the place. Most places like to let you take your time and enjoy your drinks. Grab a small snack, or aperitivo, with your cocktail or glass of wine. Savor the flavor of the local wines and enjoy the company of good friends. This is the way of the Italian mindset after all. If you are looking more for a separate bar atmosphere head over to Zonk or Lab. Both offer a good selection of cocktails. Zonk offers scorpion bowls and live music after dinner hours.

Dining in Turin

When eating out in Turin remember one important thing, take your time! In Italy meals can go for up to three hours. The idea is that dinner is a social hour to relax, spend time with family and friends, and really enjoy your meal. Always order a glass or bottle of wine with meals too. Don’t think about ordering soda either. A common mistake made by tourists, unless you are grabbing a slice of pizza, you will stick out like a sore thumb with a glass of soda here. There are a few courses including a pasta course, salad course, and main course where you match your meat to side dish. Then there is dessert if you are not completely stuffed already. A few good places for those on a budget include Tre Galli, Fratelli La Cozza (with a balcony view), and Trattoria Decoratori & Imbianchini, which has a fixed meal price for the entire night.

Shopping in Turin

The shopping in Turin is pretty nice. You won’t be attracted, or more like overwhelmed, by the designer stores like in Milan. The shopping here is more low key. Via Garibaldi attracts a crowd. This is the longest pedestrian-only shopping street in Europe, according to locals. There are a bunch of cute and fun shops. Carts also line parts of the street and competitive buying is the name of the sport. Don’t be afraid to barter here for deals. Just remember not to barter so much inside established stores. Le Gru is a great shopping center. However it is outside the city and requires a bus to get to it. For students studying abroad in Turin it is attractive because there are many home necessity items. This is a nice and rare treat when visiting Italy. Via Pietro Micca is good if you are looking to spend a little more money on some items. Higher end things like jewelry and leather goods can be found here. And most are made by locals!

Turin Travel Tips

• Turin is located in the Piedmont region of Italy.
• Taste the local Piedmont wines.
• Be aware of gypsies around the train station and high volume tourist areas.