The neo-classical architecture...
by lichinga
The neo-classical architecture of central Turin allows for large squares and fountains. These are not common, but they may be very relaxing spots within the city. In the picture you may notice the Alfieri theatre in piazza Solferino, during winter.
INTERACTIVE TURIN’S GUIDE
by marco2005
"Pollicino" (Tom Thumb) is a multilingual (Italian/English/French) software for interactive consultation on pda for tourist who like walking round the city to search stores, services and also to discover monuments, historical museums and palaces.
A new high tech way to visit Turin. Leave the Lonely Planet back and go with your personal guide and be never lost.
You have a Gps and a map preloaded with walking tours of the city (and a tool to create your owns). You have also a database with deep info for about 1000 point of interest. And the calendar with the scheduled shows and activities.
Pollicino can be rented for 10 euro a day at the Turismo Torino Information Point at Atrium Torino in square "piazza Solferino".
A caveat: I didn't used it, nor anyone I know (Pollicino is very unknown here). Maybe wise to pack also the Lonely Planet :-)
Atrium Torino - piazza Solferino 10121 Turin
Ph. +39.011.535181
Fax +39.011.530070
OPENING HOURS:
Mon-Sun: 9.30 a.m.-7 p.m.
The market place in Piazza...
by lichinga
The market place in Piazza Repubblica, also known as Porta Palazzo, is the best multi-cultural market I know about in Northern Italy. Only in the morning, or up to 4 pm on Saturdays.
The picture shows Walter, my favourite plant supplier: he's very dedicate, but he has not a permanent stall in Porta Palazzo market place, just in piazza Nizza.
Parking
by ant1606
Not only parking is scarce most anywhere in town, it's also expensive. Except for a few public underground spots, parking in Torino means finding a place on the streets. Closer to the city center, blue painted lines require an hourly fee in between 8:00 AM and 7:30 PM, no fee on Sundays and certain holidays. In the past few years the city had lifted the parking fee for the whole month of August but this is not a consolidated rule. Locate a ticketing machine, not always that close and it only accepts coins. Pay for as much as you need and place the receipt on the dashboard in a visible place. Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly parking coupons are sold at newspapers and tobacco stores.
Not much for the parking fees but what I don't like is the fact that, despite paying, one still has to deal with Lady Luck to find a spot. It's an unnerving practice and my personal solution is to move around on two-wheelers. Bicycle if I don't have to leave it alone (potential theft problem) or motorcycle for other cases. Local police close an eye for motorcycles parked on sidewalks and some other namely forbidden places. Just make sure it's not impeding passages or circulation and it should be alright.
A well hidden gem
by marco2005 about Trait d’Union
It has been a corner stone in the Torino top restaurants (since 1988).
It has reopened just few days ago.
Here in Torino it is quite easy to eat very well. This is another restaurant of this sort.
So nothing to say about the cuisine: as good as the other better Torino restaurants (going deep is a matter of personal taste and preference).
What is peculiar to this one is his location.
Embedded in the heart of Quadrilatero Romano (the most ancient district of Torino), the Trait d'Union is hosted in a charming palace of 16th century: Palazzo Scaglia di Verrua.
The restaurant is well hidden. No neon sign on the street.
You have to book your table. You have to ring at the door bell. You have to enter in the first courtyard. Take your time to say "wow" looking around. You have to ring at another door bell and enter the second courtyard. After the second "wow" the restaurant entrance is on your left.
The inside is total white (as the actual fashion pretends) but is not so cold.
One gossip: the countess of Verrua, who lived in this palace, was the lover of the king Vittorio Amedeo II. It is said that she eventually fleed to Paris once discovered as a spy sent by king Louis XIV. I've tried the fish menu (40 euro) and also the meat menu (35 euro): both very good.
As a minus I can just underscore the slowness of the service.