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Italy knows many wonderful cities, but it seems that Turin still does not get its rightful place as one of the most popular of them. On the one hand, this is really a miss, because this is one of the most fascinating and intriguing cities in northern Italy. On the other hand – you are lucky. Those who come here will gain much more free space for wandering and excursions, without long queues and congestion. The story of Turin cannot be summed up in just a few lines and there is definitely a lot to see here: ancient buildings and churches from the Baroque period, extraordinary museums, mesmerizing beauty squares, an unusual food scene, aristocratic buildings, shopping, ultimate proximity to the Italian Alps and all the ski resorts, Leading Italian car manufacturers and one Juventus.
Turin is the fourth largest city in Italy (in terms of the number of inhabitants) and is considered an important business, industrial and cultural center. It is the capital of the Piedmont region, which abounds in landscapes, vineyards, historical sites and excursions that will be combined with a visit to the city and it enjoys a center whose cutting edge is the old city that houses most of the city’s attractions so that you can enjoy them all “in the palm of one hand”.
Most of the city’s tourism is focused on the central area and the old city, so most of the hotels in Turin are also located in these areas. Hotels outside the tourist area or the business center of Turin which is quite nearby are less convenient in terms of getting to the attractions. The city does not include an efficient transportation system for tourists from different points in the city compared to other developed cities and the subway also does not stop at the relevant points. Therefore, it is very useful that your accommodation in Turin takes into account the convenience of movement in relation to the places you plan to see. In general, the average prices for accommodation in Turin are NIS 400 per night per couple in the winter and about NIS 650 per couple during Passover or the holiday season.
There are few 5-star hotels in the city that are considered luxurious and have excellent service. On the other hand, 3 star hotels and below that provide a cheap option are not considered so satisfactory. That is why it is recommended to focus on the group of 4-star hotels that offer an excellent location, large rooms and wonderful service. If you still chose to stay at one of the cheaper hotels, make sure that it is at least within reasonable walking distance from the city center, or that there is a nearby bus/train station that can take you as close as possible to it.
The Piedmont region in general is considered nationally and internationally outstanding when it comes to food. This is where the garcini and slow food were invented, even the first “magnum”! The restaurants in Turin combine local flavors alongside fashionable Italian food and give a place of honor to every dish, even the cheapest one on the menu.
The waiters in Turin and in general in northern Italy do it as a profession and not to supplement income while completing the degree. They are a large part of the restaurant experience and include a sequence of typical mannerisms and subtleties, such as moving the chair further and closer so that you can sit comfortably, in the presence of the Parmesan immediately after the bowl of pasta is placed in front of you and the presentation of the sweets in the cart with endless patience and sweetness.
Turin’s popular drink is Bicherin – coffee with hot chocolate and frothed milk, served in a sort of huggable cup. By the way, this delicious shlok goes well with any slice of cake you want to enjoy.
Torino actually invented the slow food movement that fought the fast food industry led by the hamburger chain McDonald’s and it strongly emphasizes the slow and complex cooking technique in every dish that comes out of its restaurants. You can also be impressed by this and purchase the raw materials of the method found in the city’s colorful markets, and even in the small containers near your hotel, for self-cooking.
The area is surrounded by Nebviolo vineyards that produce some of the best quality wines in Italy. In some restaurants a little wine will be poured for you automatically as part of the experience and in general in the various pubs you can enjoy particularly fine vintages.
You can also find quite a few culinary tours that will reveal you behind the scenes of the slow food industry and Northern Italian food in general. The tours include tasting and visiting different food stands, interesting explanations and meeting with different food industries.
Between March 11 and March 2 every year, the city hosts the Chocolate Festival – if you are in the area, it is highly recommended to experience it!
