Page 34 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

32 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

VISITING TURIN
1 Palazzina di Caccia di (Museum of History, Art and Interior
Parking Stupinigi Design) (closed Mon) displays exquisite
Parking is difficult and it is best to use an Piazza Principe Amedeo 7, Torino; 10042 frescoes, chandeliers and marquetry.
underground car park – try the ones at Set in huge grounds with roaming The Saletta degli Specchi (Hall of
Piazza Vittorio Veneto or Piazza Castello.
deer, this palatial, Rococo-style hunt- Mirrors) holds a marble bath owned
Visitor Information ing lodge belonged to the Savoys – by Napoleon’s sister, Paolina Borghese.
Piazza Castello/Via Garibaldi, 10100; a rich family from the Swiss Alps ª Head northeast on the SS23/Viale
011 535 181; www.turismotorino.org
who went on to rule Italy. Its Museo Torino. Follow Corso Unione Sovietica
Cable car to Basilica di Superga di Storia, Arte e Ammobiliamento to “centro”. Park under Piazza Vittorio.
Departs every hour from Sassi station
in the Piazza Modena (Tram No.15).
WHERE TO STAY IN TURIN 2 Turin
Torino, Piedmont; 10100
Hotel Victoria expensive With the Alps as a glorious backdrop, Turin (Torino) has squares, castles,
Close to Via Roma and Piazza San Carlo,
this resembles an English country house palaces and boulevards fit for a king. Indeed, it was the first capital
and has a garden for al fresco meals. of the Kingdom of Italy (1861). Today, it is the country’s design and
Via Nino Costa 4, 10123; 011 561 1909; contemporary art capital. And, for a taste of the dolce vita, Turin is
www.hotelvictoria-torino.com
a gourmet paradise and the birthplace of Italian cinema.
Des Artistes moderate
Centrally located near the Piazza Vittorio
Veneto, this “boho chic” hotel has just 22 A three-hour walking tour of cinema with props and classic film
pleasant and well-appointed rooms and From Piazza Vittorio Veneto, clips, including the car chase in The
offers good, professional service.
Via Principe Amedeo 21, 10123; 011 812 walk up the Via Po to the Italian Job. Take the glass lift to
4416; www.desartisteshotel.it town centre. Turn right into the viewing platform on the
Via Montebello to reach spire for fabulous views of the
Le Meridien Art + Tech expensive
Away from the centre in Lingotto (the the unmissable Mole city and the Alps. Next, turn
old Fiat factory designed by Renzo Antonelliana 1. Topped right and then left into the
Piano), this hotel has minimalist airy by a 167-m (550-ft) spire, wide Corso San Maurizio and
rooms, glass walls and large bathrooms. this edifice is a symbol of left into the Giardino Reale.
Via Nizza 230, 10126; 011 664 2000; the city and home to the Continue through the park
www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien
excellent Museo Nazionale Madonna and child, to the far corner and the
Below (clockwise from top left) The grand del Cinema (closed Tue). The Palazzo Madama Baroque Palazzo Reale 2
Piazza San Carlo; the Roman Palatine Gate; Italian film industry was (closed Mon), once the official
former bedroom in the Palazzo Madama; born in Turin, which was also the film Savoy residence. The opulent interior
exterior of the Palazzo Madama in the Piazza production capital of the world (1906– is graced with chinoiserie, gold, vel-
Castello; dome of the Chiesa di San Lorenzo 16). The museum re-creates the story vet and tapestries. Next door is the

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