Turin: Ballet, Chocolate and Christmas Shopping

Turin, more than any other Italian city, epitomises the elegance and style for which Italy is so admired. Set on the river Po, with the snow-covered Alps beyond, Turin contains superb Royal collections and palaces, one of Italy’s leading opera houses and luxury shops with ornate, turn-of-the-century facades and interiors. As the home of Slow Food, Lavazza coffee and the world’s first chocolate makers, Turin can justifiably claim its title as gourmet capital of Piemonte.

A small 4 star boutique hotel (an imaginative architectural complement to the surviving Roman gates) is the base for our visit, ideally placed for exploring on foot by day, attending the ballet and a concert and dining in the city’s excellent ‘Slow Food’ restaurants.

We will attend the following performances:

Prokofiev’s ballet ‘LA CENERENTOLA’ in the Teatro Regio

concert by the Italian National Symphony Orchestra (RAI)

works by Beethoven, Cherubini and Haydn

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

D included

After meeting at Turin airport in the early evening, we have a short transfer to the city centre. Once settled into our very comfortable 4 star hotel, a brief preliminary walk introduces some of the palaces, statues and churches that reflect Turin’s status as the former Italian capital. After admiring the sophisticated Christmas lights, we have dinner in one of Turin’s fine restaurants (this one has been serving classic dishes for over 300 years).

DAY 2

B, L, D included

We set out on foot to visit the Galleria Sabauda, housing both the Egyptian Museum and works collected by the princes of the House of Savoy from the 16C onwards, including those by artists such as Gaudenzio Ferrari, Filippino Lippi and Bellini. Historic caffés are scattered throughout Turin, unchanged since Puccini and Alexandre Dumas were regular visitors - we pause to sample the famous Torinese concoction, the ‘Bicerin’ - a smooth and delicious mixture of coffee, cream and chocolate. Passing celebrated chocolate shops and high quality food shops (ideal for Christmas presents; Piemonte is noted for D.O.C. wines like Barolo, cheeses, white truffles and handmade leather and silk products) we continue through the heart of the city to lunch in an historic trattoria. The early afternoon is devoted to a visit to the Museo Civico di Arte Antica, a magnificent collection in the recently restored Palazzo Madama, which incorporates a Roman gate, a 15C castle and a splendid Baroque wing by Filippo Juvarra. After visiting the marvellous new National Museum of Cinema, housed in the iconic symbol of Turin, the Mole Antonelliana, an early dinner in a Slow Food restaurant precedes a concert performance by the Italian National Symphony Orchestra (RAI).

DAY 3

B, L, D included

On a morning walk (assisted by a short tram ride), we pass Turin’s historic synagogue before strolling through the Parco del Valentino to reach the river Po and its 2 famous bridges, taking in the views from the Monte dei Cappuccini, and visiting the Museum of the Italian Alpine Club. After a light lunch in a splendid setting there are opportunities to visit the Museum of Decorative Arts or do some Christmas shopping before attending the performance of Prokofiev’s ballet ‘La Cenerentola’ in the nearby Teatro Regio. We sample further Piemontese specialities for dinner, perhaps risotto with truffles, the original bagna cauda or pasta with gorgonzola and walnuts.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

A short drive from Turin towards the Alps brings us to the Abbey of Sant'Antonio di Ranverso, founded in 1188 by Humbert III, Count of Savoy, to care for pilgrims crossing the Alps from France on the ‘path through the sky’, the Via Francigena. Inside there are good frescoes by the 15C Piemontese artist, Giacomo Jaquiero, with some delightful local touches. In complete contrast, we next visit the Museum of Contemporary Art in the dramatic setting of the mediaeval Castle Rivoli. Lunch is in a trattoria by the lake (with excellent home cooking) then we drive to the Lingotto to visit the acclaimed Agnelli Collection (including works by Canaletto and Matisse). Our final visit of the day is to ‘Eataly’, the magnificent food emporium showcasing the best produce of all the regions of Italy. We return to our hotel in time to relax before our farewell dinner reflecting the sophistication of Piemontese cuisine and wines.

DAY 5

B, L included

An early start to visit the Duomo, the Renaissance cathedral dedicated to St. John the Baptist, famously associated with the Shroud of Turin (very rarely on display, but an exhibition provides information about this intriguing medieval relic). Walking on, we traverse Turin’s lively food market and then visit the Palazzo Falletti di Barolo, an excellent example of a patrician residence which still retains its original furnishings and paintings intact. After lunch in an extremely traditional Turin restaurant, an airport transfer completes the holiday.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 5 on a double shared basis

All meals with wine at lunches and dinners, other than those excepted in the daily notation

All land transportation in a private vehicle as described except during free periods

All entrance and sightseeing fees except during free periods

Tickets for a ballet performance and one concert as included in the itinerary

Gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff (appreciation for tour leaders/managers is entirely at your discretion)

Visa and Health Requirements

Visitors from the EU and the US currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Italy. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of Italy.

At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Italy. Residents of countries in the EU can only claim free (emergency) medical treatment in France by presenting their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is issued in the UK by the Department of Health. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the FCO.

Insurance

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If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.