I recommend two minor...
by MVMT
I recommend two minor excursions to see two Savoy residences; each is just a twenty- or thirty-minute taxi ride from the center. Castello di Rivoli is a severe, dramatically sited eighteenth-century brick castle in grand, sober Baroque, designed by Juvarra and renovated from 1979 to 1984 to house a decent collection of contemporary art. It's worth going for the ingeniously rebuilt interior and the commanding view of the city. Stupinigi is a sort of dream: a hunting lodge built not long after Versailles, on a much smaller scale but nonetheless grand. In the unique plan devised by Juvarra, diagonal arms radiate outward from a spectacular central ballroom, whose painted walls, huge glass chandelier, and gilded crossbeams have been perfectly restored. But the royal suites around the ballroom have mostly not. You can thus see furniture and wall fabrics as they were, and they are all the more riveting for being slightly in tatters. The sometimes threadbare but always sumptuous rooms reminded me of Deborah Turbeville's desolate, disturbing pictures of Versailles. Here you can imagine aristocratic eighteenth-century life, private and public, being conducted, and even imagine yourself part of it. Though Turin is nearly as firmly planted in the present as Milan, every aspect of it is tinged by the past. Perhaps that is what makes it uniquely civilized.
Superstition graduate
by marco2005
At the time I was attending the university, here in Turin, we had the superstition to NEVER look at the Mole Antonelliana, before of an examination.
(I know, when we was students we could find a lot of funny way to justify for an examination gone bad).
Take note that one of the largest university in Turin, is just a block away from the Mole. So if you see a student looking at his own shoes, maybe he is not shy, but just going to have an examination :-)
San Filippo Neri with the crèche
by Mikebond
The church of San Filippo Neri was built in Neoclassic style. Its dome collapsed in 1714 and the task to reconstruct it was given to Filippo Juvarra, who finished the work in 1730.
During Christmas time, it hosts the famous Presepio dei Pastori ("Shepherd crèche"). This crèche is very old. You can read (only in Italian) a sheet with notations on how it was built or why it was not built year by year from the end of the 18th to the 19th century. This gives you an idea of Torino's history, as well.
Turin Public Transport
by AnnS
Turin has an very good public transport system and makes it easy for anyone who doesn't want to walk too far to see the city. Many bus/tram stops in the city have helpful boards listing the destinations of each line so it's easy to catch the right one.
The excellent GTT (Gruppo Torinese Trasporti) website gives comprehensive details of all methods of transport.
You can buy tickets at many newsagents, tobacconists and bars. When you board the bus or tram, make sure you validate the ticket in the machine.
If you buy a Torino Card from the Tourist Office, it entitles you to free travel on all urban, suburban and out-of-town public transport, as well as free entry to most museums and places of interest in Turin and discounts on guided tours and other events. It costs 16 euros for 48hrs, 18 euros for 72hrs or 30 euros for 5 days. This is a very good idea because it saves you having to worry about buying tickets each time you travel.
If you want to go further afield, there are several railway stations in Turin but the main one is Porta Nuova where you can catch trains to towns and cities within the region, as well as long distance, intercity trains.
Cafes and bars - Prices
by ant1606
As a general infromation, cafes and bars in Italy apply different prices for any drink enjoyed while standing at the bar, or otherwise while sitting at a table.
For reference, an espresso coffee at the bar costs less than 1 Euro, while the same cup at the table might soar up to 5 Euro. Regardless if it's inside or al fresco.
The trick of ordering a coffe at the bar and later take it to the table doesn't work. If you like to sit and watch people go by, just self-seat at the preferred spot and wait for somebody to collect your order. Some cafes display the price list on the wall, but these rarely mention a price difference for the two options. If you care not to get rid of some extra Euro, always ask for price before your order is taken. Simpy ask "quanto costa?" (kwon-toh cos-tah?).
Also, beware of inviting pastry or cookies plates that are at times brought to you. These could be complimentary or charged upon consumption, always ask in advance.
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