Turin surprises: the Savoy city with the Egyptian Museum (second in the world for importance), the Mole Antonelliana and a chocolate tradition dating back to the 17th century.
Turin: Savoy elegance and chocolate
Turin is the most underrated Italian city: elegant, cultured, with a top-level gastronomic and cultural scene, lower prices than Milan and Rome and a historic centre of great architectural quality.
The Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum of Turin (1824) is the most important in the world after the one in Cairo: over 30,000 finds from ancient Egypt, including colossal statues of pharaohs, intact mummies, papyri and the most complete funerary collections outside Egypt.
Renovated in 2015 by Dante Ferretti, it is a world-class museum experience. Entry 18 euro. Book online at the weekend.
The Mole Antonelliana and the Cinema
The Mole Antonelliana (167 m, 1889), designed as a synagogue and never used as one, is the symbol of Turin. Inside is the National Cinema Museum: an interactive journey through the history of cinema with screenings, memorabilia and a magnificent panoramic lift up to the dome (entry 15 euro).
Turin Chocolate
Turin is the Italian capital of chocolate: the gianduiotto (chocolate with hazelnut paste from the Langhe) was invented here in 1865. Peyrano, Guido Gobino and Caffarel are the historic confectioners to visit. The hot chocolate with cream at Caffe San Carlo is an institution.