Turin

In a beautiful position, so close to the Alps which on clear days (of which there are many, contrary to what natives say) it seems like you can almost touch them. After a windy day the view from the top of the Mole Antonelliana or from the Superga Basilica is truly sensational.
Even the relationship of the city with the river is very beautiful, in spring the blooming of the trees and bushes adorning the bank gradually descend, and the very green hills.
When the sky is clear the air is invigorating and seems like that of the mountains; you feel full of energy and you can walk for hours without getting tired, hungry, or thirsty.
If it is possible, don't hurry: Turin needs to be appreciated slowly, losing yourselves in the ortogonal knitting of its straight streets, which all seem the same but are really different, which flow into large, beautiful piazzas full of lights, bordered by powerful noble and public buildings from various eras, entering in elegant courtyards, stopping briefly to look at shopping in the large glass galleries.
You can study a route on a map of the center, but you should, however, be ready to modify it, to visit a building if you find it open, to go and see an exhibition located on the street that you chose, to enter a antique shop or old book store and chat with the owner, to go into a nice cafe for a cup of hot chocolate or an aperitif with snacks (where you can also have a tranquil lunch or dinner). Differently from other cities, the major part of the personnel of the shops, hotels, and restaurants are still from Torino or at least from the Piemont region; they are generally very polite and available to give information and explanations; they often have a sense of humor.
The old shops, and some actually ancient, are many and are very well-kept: cafes, bakeries, pharmacies, jewelry shops, fabric shops, etc. united together to maintain and preserve the history.
At Valentino, the small medieval village and Fortress were in reality constructed at the end of the 1800's, perfectly designed in medieval style by D'Andrade, one of the most important protagonists of international debate on the themes of restoration and conservation.

At Superga, the large basilica of Iuvarra, one of the Baroque architects who worked the most in Turin; from up above is a lovely panorama of the city.

Given that the marvelous Sindone Chapel by Guarino Guarini, one of the great Baroque architects of the 18th century, is today in restoration due to a fire, you should at least see, in Piazza Castello, again by Guarini, the very elegant Church of San Lorenzo, the windows of the dome which seem like ironic masks with large mouths. Also by Guarini, in Piazza Carignano, the very grand Palazzo Carignano, restored a short time ago.

If you are in the city at the right moment of the Book Fair, which takes place in the ex-industrial buildings of the FIAT at Lingotto, you will see that it is a large and lively festival.

Among the residences is Sabaude la Venaria, the largest of the residences which hosted the Count for hunting competitions. It was deteriorated until some years ago, especially due to the different types of occupation that the building underwent and for its successive abandonment and raids after the Second World War. Today it has been perfectly and entirely restored with European funds and with a large undertaking by the city of Turin. The guided visits are very interesting.

The majestic Baroque sanctuary of the Consolata, the most beloved by the people of Turin, is where they come at all hours; immediately afterwards, in the small piazza from which you enter the Church, in front of the entrance, you will enter into a small cafe covered in wood with small marble tables to have a "bicerìn", a drink made up of espresso coffee, melted dark chocolate, and cream, which are kindly served in tall goblets: an absolute specialty!

If you like history and the stories full of drama of the old families, go to the beautiful Palazzo Barolo, where they will tell you everything about the origin of Barolo, wine, the stormy relationships of the original owner, the noble Provana (it seems that the last name is derived from the verb "provanar" which means to bury alive); the Savoia family, of the tragic suicide of the young only-daughter married to a Falletti di Barolo; Giulia Colbert, affectionately called "Giulietta", niece of the French minister of finance and the wife of the last of the Falletti di Barolo, of her great gifts of administration and charity and of her relationships with Silvio Pellico.

In the evenings in the area next to Piazza del Mercato di Porta Palazzo (Market Square of Porta Palazzo) you will find the young people of Turin, many restaurants, shops, and interesting bars. Up until a few years ago, it was completely overrun by crime but was actually reclaimed and cleaned up.