Overview
Spreading across a plain at the foot of the Alps and along the upper reaches of the River Po, the gracious, spacious capital of Piedmont takes visitors by surprise with the beauty of its location and its streetscape.
Turin was developed on a grand scale in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as the capital of Savoy, an independent state from the Middle Ages and a kingdom from 1720. Later exchanges of territory led to the title of Kingdom of Sardinia. In the nineteenth century Piedmont became administratively and industrially the most advanced state in Italy, and the springboard for the risorgimento. Turin was the first capital of the newly united and independent Italy, 1861–65.
The historic centre is laid out on a regular plan with broad avenues and piazze of remarkable architectural homogeneity. Guarino Guarini (1624–83) and Filippo Juvarra (1678–1736), among the best architects of their time, both worked here for much of their lives.
Though once a major industrial centre (a reputation which has unjustly deterred cultural tourists), this is not evident in the centre. Within Italy Turin now has a reputation for a high quality of life, and is repositioning itself as one of the major cultural centres in the north of the country.
The 2006 Winter Olympics were the catalyst for an extensive programme of civic regeneration and restoration. The proximity to the mountains not only brings visual benefits but helps to make the city one of the most agreeable in Italy in which to live.
Day 1
Fly at c. 8.00am from London Gatwick to Turin (British Airways). Lunch at the hotel before visiting the little church of S. Lorenzo, a Guarini masterpiece, the cathedral, with Guarini’s Chapel of the Holy Shroud, and the sumptuous Consolata church.
Day 2
Turin. Begin with a walk through the beautiful, arcaded Piazza San Carlo. Palazzo Reale, the principal royal residence, is largely of the late 17th cent. but has interiors of the 18th and 19th cents. Housed here are masterpieces from the Galleria Sabauda. After lunch a second guided walk past Palazzo dell’Università, the metal dome and spire of the 19th century Mole Antonelliana and Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
Day 3
Alba. Drive to Alba, chief town of the Langhe, for a wine tasting in the Castle of Grinzane Cavour, a spectacularly situated unesco heritage site, home of the first regional enoteca to open in Piedmont, now almost 50 years old. Lunch at a Slow Food restaurant. Return to Turin for some free time.
Day 4
Racconigi, Saluzzo, Staffarda. The Castello di Racconigi was one of the summer residences of the Savoys; the front overlooking the park is by Guarini (1676). Continue to Saluzzo and walk around the charming historic centre of the mediaeval town at the foot of Mount Monviso (3841m above sea level). The Abbey of Staffarda which retains an impressive Romanesque church with cloister and chapter house.
Day 5, Christmas Eve
Turin. The Palazzo Carignano has a remarkable curvaceous facade by Guarini. Piazza Castello is splendid, the greatest of the buildings being Palazzo Madama by Filippo Juvarra (1721), now housing the art gallery. Free afternoon, followed by Christmas dinner.
Day 6, Christmas Day
Turin, Superga. Free morning, with the option of attending a church service. After Christmas lunch drive to the Basilica di Superga, the burial site of the Italian Royal family, a votive church designed by Juvarra magnificently sited on a hill overlooking the city and mountains.
Day 7
Venaria. The Venaria Reale (Amedeo Castellamonte 1660, Juvarra 1714–28) is the largest of the suburban palaces, a magnificent complex which reopened in 2007 after comprehensive renovation. Continue to Stupinigi and visit the royal hunting lodge (Filippo Juvarra, 1730). Dinner at a michelin-starred restaurant.
Day 8
Homeward journey. Drive to Turin airport; returning to Gatwick at c. 12.30pm.
Price, per person
Two sharing: £3,440 or £3,320 without flights. Single occupancy: £3,780 or £3,660 without flights.
Included
Air travel (economy class) on scheduled British Airways flights; private coach for excursions and transfers; accommodation as described below; breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners with wine, water, coffee; all admissions; all tips for waiters, drivers and guides; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager.
Accommodation
Grand Hotel Sitea, Turin: a 4-star hotel, comfortable, elegantly furnished and very central. Single rooms are double rooms for sole use; all rooms are deluxe category.
How strenuous?
The tour involves a lot of walking in town centres, where coach access is restricted. There is a lot of standing in museums and churches and a considerable amount of uphill walking around the historic centre of Saluzzo. Average distance by coach per day: 37 miles.
Are you fit enough to join the tour?
Group size
Between 10 and 22 participants.
Travel advice
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
