Piemonte (Piedmonte) Italy - Visit Turin - Tour Italy Now Tour Italy Now Asti Alba An area with about 4.4 million residents, the beautiful Piedmont Region of Italy sits at the foot of the Alps, sharing a border with France and Switzerland. Occupying about 10,000 square miles, Piedmont is the second largest of the 20 administrative regions of Italy and her people have always been a hearty bunch, sustaining life in an area that is largely mountainous. Early inhabitants include Celtic-Ligurian tribes, and later, Burgundians, Goths, Lombards, Byzantines, and Franks. The Piedmont Region of today largely makes its living off the land. This is indeed an agricultural region that is known for its rice, maize, and, of course, a variety of grapes used in wine making. In fact, it is considered one of the premiere grape growing regions of Italy and is home to many notable vineyards. It’s best known wine is Barolo, and guests can enjoy it with other Piedmont Region specialties, including stuffed pastas and white truffles.

One of the most stunning sites in Piedmont is Italy’s oldest national park, Parco Nazionale di Gran Paradiso. Also the most well known national park in the country, it sits in Graian Alps and offers stunning views, dense European beach forests, alpine pastures rich in flowers, dozens of species of animals and more than a hundred kinds of birds. It’s a stop worth making if you’re touring the Piedmont Region of Italy. As a matter of fact, there are more than 50 national or regional parks in this portion of Italy, and most provide a good respite during a busy day, with views that are certainly worth photographing. Piedmont’s capital city is also of note. Turin, known in Italian as Torino, was most recently in the spotlight as the gracious host of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. But it is probably best known as the resting place of the famed Shroud of Turin, a linen cloth bearing an eerily clear image of a man resembling Jesus Christ, appearing to have physical trauma that resembles that which would be associated with a crucifixion. The cloth attracts millions of believers each year and is kept in the Cathedral of St.

John the Baptist, a 15th century house of worship. Turin is also home to Fiat motor works. Those embarking on a tour of Italy and the Piedmont Region in particular should also include a stop in the town of Alba, famous for its truffle, wine, and peach production and a delicious place to enjoy a meal or two. Alba is a charming city with sights that include the 13th century Palazzo Comunale, a collection of 14th and 15th century towers, the magnificent Romanesque Alba Cathedral, the gothic-designed Church of San Domenico, and a notable municipal museum of archaeology. Turin, Italy : Image of the Day News & Notes acquired January 21, 2006 download large image (570 KB, JPEG, 1000x662) Located in the Piedmont (Piemonte in Italian) region of northwestern Italy, the city of Turin (Torino) is an important industrial and cultural center, and it hosted the Twentieth Olympic Winter Games.

The Games drew 2,600 athletes from 82 nations to compete in such traditional winter sports as skating, skiing, biathlon, bobsled, curling, ice hockey, and luge. Venues for the Games included several locations within downtown Turin and the nearby Alps to the west. The first Olympic Winter Games competition was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924 with 258 athletes representing 16 nations. The image illustrates the striking landscape surrounding the city, with the snow-capped Alps visible to the west and north. The city is located on the northern banks of the famous Po River. Two of the Po’s major tributaries are visible in this image, Stura di Lanzo and the Malone River. The built area of Turin appears dark grayish brown, with large building complexes indicated by white roofs (bottom image center). La Mandria Regional Park, located along the southwest bank of Stura di Lanzo, is a nature and historical preserve approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) to the northwest of the city center. Decreasing image contrast over Turin is the result of atmospheric pollution commonly observed in the Po River Valley.

This astronaut photograph has come full circle is a sense, as several components of the International Space Station (such as the Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules ) were constructed in Turin. Other images taken by the Landsat satellite and by the Ikonos satellite provide an additional perspective on the Olympic venues. Astronaut photograph ISS012-E-15598 was acquired on January 21, 2006, with a Kodak 760C digital camera using an 180 mm lens, and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations experiment and the Image Science & Analysis Group, Johnson Space Center. The image in this article has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Instrument(s): City of Turin, Italy | ENAT City of Turin, Italy Photo of Turin.

(City of Turin / LHAC) Turin (Torino) is the capital of Italy's north-western region of Piedmont (Piemonte). Geographically located at the cross point of the Po River and the Dura River, the city is surrounded by the snow-covered Alpine arch, which offers an impressive backdrop. With a population of 909,193 inhabitants, which reaches 2.2 million people including the metropolitan area, Turin is a major business, industrial and cultural centre. In 2006, Turin successfully hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, after years of careful preparations by the city authorities, local industries and NGOs. Turin is a member of the League of Historical and Accessible Cities (LHAC), a project established by the European Foundation Centre. The main aim of the League of Historical and Accessible Cities is to improve the accessibility of historical towns promoting, at the same time, sustainable tourism development and the protection of cultural heritage.

To learn more about Turin's accessibility programme and the LHAC, visit the city of Turin's webpage on the LHAC website 0 comment(s) posted Piedmont | Italy Piedmont Verbania Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 31,115 inhabitants. A fairly recent province considering that it was only established in 1992, Verbania has an extraordinary location, right on the shores of Lake Maggiore. It combines nature, mountains and national parks in the very favorable geographic location surrounding Verbania. Among those parks the one that definitely deserves a visit are the botanic gardens of Villa Taranto. They are actually the product of the hard work of Scottish man, Neil McEacharn, and today it is a rich garden Varallo Thursday, June 16th, 2016 Varallo, Piedmont Varallo is a comune and a small town located in Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Vercelli. The town is commonly called Varallo Sesia and is located in Valsesia region at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level.

Varallo is located close to the city of Vercelli and was once known are Varade. The town itself is divided into two different boroughs by a stream. Varallo is spread over an area of 87 sq km and has a population of close to 7500. Varallo was Piedmont: Le Langhe Wednesday, May 4th, 2016 I was born in the province of Cuneo, near the Alps, in a village that looks like a still from a 1930's movie, where women still feel they need to have red lipstick and heels to leave the house and go buy bread, where Sunday is still the day you go to mass at eleven in the morning, then stroll down the portici of the main street, chatting with people and end up at the caffe' for a San Simone before lunch. The Langhe in Autumn Ph. depositphoto.com/rglinsky A village Candelo Thursday, April 7th, 2016 Candelo (Biella) Castle Candelo is a small comune and town located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Biella.

The town is located close to Turin and Biella and does not attract many tourists. Due to its medieval nature and its village like atmosphere it has become a center for agritourism in the recent years. It's a member of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia" club, the most beautiful villages of Italy. Many people who want to experience the lifestyle Residences of the Royal House of Savoy Sunday, March 20th, 2016 Royal Palace, Turin Ph. depositphoto.com/kasto Emanuele Filiberto, the Duke of Savoy moved his capital to Turin in the year 1562. He then began a large project to create a series of buildings and palaces to prove his power of ruling. These outstanding buildings were designed and decorated by some of the best known artists of that era and radiated into the outskirts of Turin. The complex also includes various country homes and hunting lodges.

Some of the best known Macugnaga (Monte Rosa) Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015 Macugnaga - Monte Rosa Valley Macugnaga is a small mountain village located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Verbania-Cusio-Ossola. The village is located along the Anzasca valley in the Monte Rosa mountain range. The village was first inhabited by the Walser, which are German natives belonging to the Swiss Canton Wallis. The area is generally famous for winter sports, skiing and hiking and mountaineering activities in summer. The village is also famous for its Temples of Damanhur in Northern Italy Thursday, September 3rd, 2015 Hall of Mirrors - Damanhur The quiet Valchiusella valley, close to Torino in Northern Italy hides a secret below ground. Unknown to most visitors and for a time even the Italian Government, this valley is home to a bewildering temple complex known as the Temples of Damanhur. The vast underground temples were begun forty years ago by a man who now goes by the name of Falco, following his lifelong vision.

From a handful of followers digging under a house, the temples and the Getting to know Piedmont Saturday, August 15th, 2015 Sunset over the countryside in Piedmont Ph. depositphoto.com/rglinsky The 150th anniversary of the Unification has been only a handful of years ago so, if you are heading our side of the pond soon, it's a must to visit where it all started, Piedmont. Piedmont, land of stupendous mountains and great lakes, is one of the cradles of Italian culture. It is the birthplace of or highly influential on many of the leading figures in the history of Italian modern Turin History Saturday, December 6th, 2014 Torino by night Turin is the capital of the Piedmont region and is located in the northwest area of Italy. Torino, as the Italians call it, is a major industrial city that lies along the Po River. The Po stretches from Mount Monviso in the Alpie Cozie (Southwestern Alps) to the Adriatic Sea near Venice.

Torino is home to one of the most famous relics of Christendom, the Shroud of Turin, and some of the most outstanding museums (The Egyptian Museum is the second Turin and the Salone Internazionale del Gusto Terra Madre 2014 Tuesday, October 28th, 2014 Turin barely needs to scrub up for a date: she is magnificent, no matter what. She is haughty, self assured and confident, aware of her charms and beauty, even when she wakes up after a night of debauchery and too little sleep. An old time tempress, Turin gets me every time: as a moody teenager, when I started university, I could not stand her, then, just as it happens so often when you fall in love, she bewitched me and I was lost.

...and here is why: from the popular BBC series Italy Turin Itineraries Monday, September 29th, 2014 Turin Itineraries and Tours La Mole Antonelliana, one of the symbols of Turin Piedmont has some of the most decadent and beautiful of all landscapes of the Northern area of the country, however, it’s also a region left relatively untouched by mass tourism. Or so it was until a decade ago, when the treasures and tranquility of this land were discovered. This beautiful region is often defined as “Tuscany without all the tourists”, due Lake Orta Sunday, September 28th, 2014 The Lake, Once Described as a "Pearl" by Balzac, is a Treasure Waiting to be Discovered Lake Orta and San Giulio Island, Piedmont Ph. depositphoto.com/Crisferra Lake Orta and its surroundings are quiet, beautiful and filled with gorgeous architecture. It is an enchanting spot, much less crowded than the larger lakes in the area.

Located in northern Italy, in the Piemonte region, on the west side of Lago Maggiore, the modern name of the lake was bestowed in Piedmont / Piemonte Saturday, September 27th, 2014 Piedmont / Piemonte The name of the region derives from the Medieval Latin term Pedemontium, which means "at the foot of the mountains." Piemonte is aptly named, as it lies at the foot of the Alps and has a culture and dialect that is closer to the South of France than other parts of Italy. It is bordered by France and Switzerland, as well as the Italian regions of Liguria, Valle d'Aosta and Lombardia. The area occupies the plain of the Po river valley, and produces Cuneo Saturday, September 27th, 2014 Piazza Galimberti in Cuneo, Piedmont Ph. depositphoto.com/rglinsky The Piedmont region is a collection of different landscapes and, to a certain extent, slightly different cultures, as well. Bordering France and Switzerland, it offers the Alps as well as plains and hills that provide the perfect environment for some of the world's best wines.

Its proximity to two different countries also provides for some language differences. The main local dialect is Lake Maggiore Wednesday, May 21st, 2014 Lake Maggiore viewed from Maccagno - Panorama Ph. depositphotos/elesi Of the three large pre alpine lakes of Italy, Lake Maggiore is the westernmost and the second largest after Lake Garda. The lake acts as a border between Lombardy and Piedmont and a part of it also sits in Switzerland (which can be reached from Italy either by train or by a short ferry ride.) Lake Maggiore is less crowded than Lake Garda and less glitzy than Lake Como, offering one of the most Asti Friday, June 1st, 2012 Asti city hall Asti is one of the well-known towns in Italy, which lies in the valley of Tarano at a distance of around 55kms from Turin. It is one of the renowned centers of wine production in Italy due to the excellent quality of grapes found in this region that yields top quality wines. Asti offers some interesting tourist attractions including museums, cathedrals along with some important monuments, which are worth visiting.

Besides, there are numerous festivals and events that take place Cherasco Friday, June 1st, 2012 Cherasco Cherasco is a small commune and town located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Cuneo. Cherasco is located close to the cities of Turin and Cueno. The town is spread over an area of 81 sq km and has a population of close to 7600. The town has still retained its medieval essence with its old buildings and monuments. Cherasco does not attract many visitors but due to the rise in agritourism in Italy, there are a few people who visit the town to experience the relaxed Novara Friday, June 1st, 2012 Novara dome entrance Novara is the capital city of the province of Novara. It is located in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy. It population density of a little over 100,000 makes it the second most populous city in Piedmont after Turin and the second largest urban area of the Piedmont region with 190,000 inhabitants.

It is a central crossroad for commercial traffic among the routes from Milan to Turin and from Genoa to Switzerland. Novara lies between the Agogna and Terdoppio Rivers Turin - Torino Friday, June 1st, 2012 ﻿ ﻿ Turin viewed from the tower of Palace Madama Ph. flickr/Andrea Mucelli The enlightenment writer Montesquieu once dubbed Turin as "the finest village in the world" thanks to a modern city plan begun in the 17th century. While many Italian cities can be a warren of twisting side streets, Turin boasts wide avenues with arcades, large squares and plenty of palazzi. To get a bird's eye view of the city take a glass elevator ride to the top of La Mole Antonelliana, which is sort Bene Vagienna Friday, June 1st, 2012 Bene Vagienna Bene Vagienna is a small town and commune located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Cuneo. The medieval town is located close to the cities of Turin and Cuneo.

The town is spread over an area of 48 sq km and has a population of close to 3500. The town has several narrow cobblestoned streets, charming old houses, porticos and small piazzas that can transport visitors back in time. The history of the town goes back to the period of Augustus, when the town was an Biella Friday, June 1st, 2012 View from Burcina Park. Ph. Depositphoto.com/rcaucino There are many stories of travelers who spend their time viewing Europe at their own speed, through hostels, hiking, biking and rail. Keeping their own pace, rather than one of an organized tour they tend to see their experiences a little differently than others. Many locations take on a different flair when seen through these eyes. Many different locations are usually seen, as well, through this mode of Shopping in Piedmont Friday, June 1st, 2012 Piedmont on the Italian map The region of Piedmont in Italy is spread over an area of 25,399 sq km and has a population of around 4.4 million. The region is surrounded by Alps on three sides.

It shares a border with France and Switzerland the regions of Aosta Valley, Liguria and Lombardy. The region has quite fertile land, because of which agriculture in the region is of high quality. The main products that are grown in the region are cereals, maize and fruits. The region's economy is also Alagna Valsesia Friday, June 1st, 2012 Alagna Valsesia, skiing hut Alagna Valsesia is a village and a small commune located in Piedmont, Italy in the province of Vercelli. The village is located on the Val Grande Mountain in the Valley of Valsesia alpine. Alagna Valsesia is located at an altitude of 1152 meters and is a popular tourist destination for winter sports, skiing and mountaineering. The village is spread over an area of 72 sq km and has a population of only 432. The village was originally settled by Walser and is Alessandria Friday, June 1st, 2012 Alessandria The romance languages have long been thought of as beautiful languages to speak.

Vowels roll off of the tongue in ways that make the words come out in song rather than in prose, or so it seems. The nouns used in these languages are no different. Persons, things and especially places come alive when said out loud. As we travel around the Italian peninsula we find no shortage of cities and towns with names and cultures that make these images come to life. The town of Alessandria Neive Friday, June 1st, 2012 Neive Neive is a small comune and town located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Cueno. The town is located close to the cities of Cuneo and Turin. Neive is spread over an area of 21.2 sq km and has a population of approximately 3000. Neive is basically famous for its wine producing region and there are several vineyards located close to the town. The town does not attract many visitors except for those who are interested in wine.

Because of the rise in agritourism in the Mergozzo Friday, June 1st, 2012 Mergozzo, Piedmont Mergozzo is a small commune and town located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The town is located close to the cities of Verbania and Turin. Mergazzo is spread over an area of 27 sq km and has a population of approximately 2000. The economy of the town is based mainly on tourism that the Lake Mergozza attracts, all of which falls within the commune. The quarrying and stone work of the region is also a main source of income for the Vercelli Friday, June 1st, 2012 Vercelli cathedral Vercelli is a city in the region of Piedmont in northern Italy. The city is located between Milan and Turin close to the River Po. Vercelli is an important cultivator of rice and there are plenty of rice paddies around the city. The weather here is quite typical for this region, foggy cold winters, hot summers, frequent rainfalls and thunderstorms.

According to many historians, the city was first founded around the year 600 BC and was one of the oldest urban cities in this Santa Maria Maggiore Friday, June 1st, 2012 Santa Maria Maggiore Santa Maria Maggiore is a small village and a commune located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The village is located 25 km from Verbania and 130 km away from the city of Turin. Santa Maria Maggiore is located on the border of Switzerland. The village is quite small, with an area of 53 sq km and a population of close to 1200. Santa Maria Maggiore's economy is mainly based on agriculture and cattle breeding activities and is not Barolo Friday, June 1st, 2012 Church in the town of Barolo (Cuneo) Barolo is a small town located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the famous wine producing region of Langhe. The town is famous for its many vineyards and its many varieties of red wine which are made from the nebbiolo grape.

Barolo is located in the Cuneo province and it can only be called a village. Barolo is spread over a tiny area of 5.6 sq km and the population of the village is only around 750. The village is located close to the cities of Piedmont - Discover Italy Discover Italy Ai Weiwei at Palazzo Strozzi Florence hosts one of the giants of contemporary art Video Ponza: Unchanging Beauty On the Island of Ponza (the most important island in the Pontine Archipelago), nature triumphs with its gorgeous perfumes and colors, and its... Read more Faenza: the art of majolica The city of Faenza is very famous for one of the most ancient and sublime arts in the world: the art of ceramics, and, above all, for the special and... You are in Home / Discover Italy / Piedmont Piedmont Arona - Statue of San Carlo Borromeo Bardonecchia Novara - Architectural Complex of Broletto Verbania - Borromean Palace What to Taste Piedmont is in Italy's northwest and borders Switzerland and France. True to the meaning of its name (foot of the mountain), Piedmont is a land of mountains.

It is surrounded on three sides by the Alps, with the highest peaks and largest glaciers in Italy. Monviso, the Piedmont side of Monte Rosa and the other spectacular mountains in the region, create incredibly beautiful landscapes, and ski resorts abound: Via Lattea and Sestriere welcome winter sports enthusiasts with their state-of-the-art facilities. The Alps form the background for sweeping, picturesque valleys, e.g. the Val di Susa , Valsesia and Val d'Ossola. The landscapes of the Langhe and Monferrato are hilly, rather, but just as beautiful, a succession of cultivated hills and vineyards that are dotted with small towns and castles. Expanses of water and rice paddies, long rows of poplars and old farmhouses make up the typical scenery of the plains around Novara and Vercelli. Lake Maggiore is the most sought-after tourist resort, including Stresa and the Borromean Islands , charming as they are with their ancient villas surrounded by beautiful lawns and gardens. Yet, nature is only one of the many attractions in Piedmont.

This region has many other facets: from Turin – the Italian car manufacturing capital – with its history and remarkable cultural heritage, to other cities such as Cherasco, Alba and Ivrea . Next up are the intriguing Medieval castles - like the imposing fortress at Ivrea - and prized works of architecture - the famous Residences of the Royal House of Savoy and the Sacri Monti (Sacred Mountains) certainly deserve to be mentioned. The famous spa resorts of Acqui Terme and Vinadio offer treatments and therapy for a relaxing, reviving holiday. Discoveries and surprises of all kinds are in store for visitors to the region, including a wide range of food and wine to suit every palate. The region’s provinces are: Turin (regional capital), Alessandria , Asti , Biella , Cuneo , Novara , Verbano Cusio Ossola and Vercelli . The first stop in exploration of this region should be Turin, with its Egyptian Museum, one of the largest in the world; the Shroud of Turin, one of the most precious relics in Christianity; the famous Mole Antonelliana dominating the city skyline and housing the National Cinema Museum; and finally, the Automobile Museum.

The Reggia di Venaria Palace is a splendid and extremely charming architectural structure, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the other Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. From the Royal Palace and Palazzo Carignano in Turin to the hunting lodge at Stupinigi, and from the Royal Castle at Racconigi to Turin’s Palazzo Madama, a visit to the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy takes place partly in Turin proper, and partly in the surrounding countryside. The Sacri Monti (Sacred Mountains) are beautiful masterpieces of religious architecture spread all over the region's mountaintops: Varallo Sesia, Serralunga di Crea and Ponzano Monferrato, Orta San Giulio, Ghiffa and Domodossola. Other unmissable destinations are historical towns like Cherasco , “the town of star-shaped walls;” Savigliano, rich in monuments; Alba ; and Ivrea. The most famous abbeys are at Staffarda, an impressive example of Gothic architecture, and Novalesa, near Susa.

The Sacra di San Michele is particularly important as well, a very ancient sanctuary whose religious aspects are in perfect harmony with both the architectonic and natural environments. The Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore is filled with famous resorts, such as Arona with its 17th-Century colossal statue of Saint Carlo, Stresa and the Borromean Islands , with accommodation facilities, villas and gardens. The ski resort of Sestriere - Via Lattea is one of the most important winter sports complexes in Europe. Many reserves and nature reserves dot the region, for example the Gran Paradiso National Park with its glaciers, natural lakes and protected flora and fauna. Rich in natural resources and landscapes, Piedmont offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy sport, to unwind and to be entertained, mixing leisure and culture. Against the unique setting of the Alps, internationally renowned locations such as Sestriere , Val di Susa and others offer a wide range of slope categories suitable for all kinds of sporting activity: from steep downhill skiing to cross-country skiing and ice-skating to snowboarding. Meanwhile those who love the thrill of adventure can climb the rocky mountains or raft on rushing rivers.

In summer, the mountains and valleys offer trekking routes at different levels of difficulty, including some tracts on the Via Alpina with paths and well-equipped mountain shelters, from Monviso to the mountains around Verbania . You can choose from many more outdoor activities: cycling along the River Po and around Vercelli ; mountain biking along the banks of the River Sesia; playing golf on one of the area’s various courses; and sailing, windsurfing and canoeing on the shores of Lake Maggiore . Nature also offers other paths for discovering the local culture and other of the region's facets: in the Germanasca Valley, for example, visitors can take a guided tour through the talc mines that made the history of this valley, or take a spiritual trek through the magnificent protected areas of the Sacred Mountains . Piedmont excels in its wine production, from Monferrato to the Langhe, from Astigiano to the Tortonesi Hills: the numerous wine trails lead to charming landscapes, with several stops at farms and wineries to taste wines and typical local produce, like the scented white truffle of Alba.

If you are looking for health and wellness on your holiday, you can choose one of the renowned spas of the region, such as Acqui Terme, surrounded by the striking remains of a Roman aqueduct. Finally, hit up a few internationally-acclaimed cultural events and festivals, like the Book Fair and the famous chocolate fair, “Cioccolatò,” that take place every year in Turin - as well as food fairs and cultural events including the famous Ivrea Carnival , the Palio horse race of Asti and many more. The most typical specialties of the regional cuisine are fondue and bagna cauda: two warm and out-of-this-world dips that celebrate the Alba white truffle and raw vegetables. Some of the many excellent dishes include the great mixed fry, braised beef in Barolo wine, civet of hare and a wide array of cheeses: toma, robiola, bruss from the Langhe, gorgonzola from Novara , and sernium from Biella .

The typical desserts of the region can be found everywhere: the chocolates of Turin (unforgettable are the exquisite gianduiotti chocolates made with hazelnuts from Langhe and Monferrato ), Novara biscuits, the bicciolani of Vercelli , the crumiri of Casale, the Cuneo chocolate sweets with rum and candied chestnuts, nougat from Alba, the baci di dama cookies of Alessandria and Asti , and the amaretti almond cookies from Novi. Finally, some internationally-renowned products like breadsticks and vermouth are from Turin. And Piedmont produces some of the finest red wines in Italy: Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, Ghemme, Nebbiolo, Freisa, Grignolino, Barbera, and Dolcetto. Piedmont Travel Guide and Visiting Information for Turin, Italy Updated February 21, 2016. Why Visit Turin: Turin, or Torino, is an interesting and often overlooked city in the Piedmont (Piemonte) region of Italy.

Famous for the Shroud of Turin and Fiat auto plants, the city has a lot more to offer. From its Baroque cafes and architecture to its arcaded shopping promenades and museums, Turin is a great city for wandering and exploring. It also makes a good base for exploring nearby mountains and valleys. Turin Location and Transportation: Turin is in the northwest of Italy in the Piemonte region between the Po River and the foothills of the Alps - see Piemonte Map . Turin is served by a small airport , Citta di Torino - Sandro Pertini, with flights to and from Europe. The closest airport for flights from the United States is in Milan, a little over an hour away by train. Find flights on Hipmunk Trains and intercity buses provide transportation to and from Turin from other towns. The main railway station is Porta Nuova in the center at Piazza Carlo Felice. continue reading below our video Best Ride Sharing Apps of 2015 The Porta Susa Station serves trains to and from Milan and is connected to the city center and the main station by bus. Turin has an extensive network of trams and buses that run from 5AM until midnight.

There are also electric mini-buses in the city center. Bus and tram tickets can be bought in a tabacchi shop. Where to Stay in Turin: For recommended places to stay, see these top rated Turin hotels in the historic center, near the main attractions. What to See and Do: For a guided walking tour of the city, book Introduction to Turin: City of Chocolate and FIAT on Select Italy. Here are Turin's top tourist attractions, some of which can be seen in our Turin Photo Albums : Piazza Castello and Palazzo Reale are at the center of Turin. The square is a pedestrian area with benches and small fountains, ringed by beautiful, grand buildings. The Via Po is an interesting walking street with long arcades and many historic palaces and cafes. Start at Piazza Castello. Mole Antonelliana , a 167 meter tall tower built between 1798 and 1888, houses an excellent cinema museum. A panoramic lift takes you to the top of the tower for some expansive views of the city. Palazzo Carignano is the birthplace of Vittorio Emanuele II in 1820.

The Unification of Italy was proclaimed here in 1861. It now houses the Museo del Risorgimento and you can see the royal apartments Royal Armory, too. Museo Egizio is the third most important Egyptian museum in the world. It is housed in a huge baroque palace which also holds the Galleria Sagauda with a large collection of historic paintings. The Egyptian Museum was renovated in 2015, making it better than ever. Piazza San Carlo, known as the "drawing room of Turin", is a beautiful baroque square with the twin churches of San Carlo and Santa Cristina as well as the above museum. Il Quadrilatero is an interesting maze of backstreets with sprawling markets and splendid churches. This is another good place to wander. Elegant and historic bars and cafes are everywhere in central Turin. Try a bicerin, a local layered drink made with coffee, chocolate, and cream. Cafes in Turin also serve other interesting trendy coffee drinks. Borgo Mediovale, or medieval borgo, is a recreation of a medieval village with castle created in 1884 for the International Exposition in the city of Turin.

It's by the river in the pretty Parco del Valentino. Historic coffee houses : Turin was one of the first cities in Italy to embrace a cafe society. Besides coffee and other hot drinks, ice cream, pastries, and alcoholic drinks, many cafes serve food appetizers with the evening apertivi. Since you pay more to sit down, either inside or outside, make it worthwhile by spending some time at your table enjoying the scene. Shroud of Turin Museum : The Shroud of Turin, or the Holy Shroud, is housed in the Turin Cathedral but is only put on display for certain periods. The last viewing was in 2015. The Museum of the Holy Shroud is open daily. Turin Day Trips : Here are 9 interesting places go to for a day out from Turin. Tourist Information and Discount Cards: Tourist offices are at the Porta Nuova Railway Station and the airport. The main office is in Piazza Castello and there is also one in Piazza Solferino. See Turin and Piedmont Card for information about discount passes and the ChocoPass for chocolate tastings. Buy Turin + Piedmont Cards online in US dollars through Select Italy.

Food Specialties: The Piedmont region has some of the best food in Italy. Over 160 types of cheese and famous wines like Barolo and Barbaresco come from here as do truffles, plentiful in fall. You'll find outstanding pastries, especially chocolate ones. Chocolate for eating as we know it today (bars and pieces) originated in Turin. The chocolate-hazelnut sauce, gianduja, is a specialty. For where to eat see Restaurant Recommendations Festivals: Turin celebrates its patron saint in the Festa di San Giovanni June 24 with events all day and a huge fireworks display at night. There's a big chocolate festival in March and several music and theater festivals in summer and fall. During the Christmas season there's a 2-week street market and on New Year's Eve an open-air concert in the main piazza. Turin was host for the 2006 Winter Olympics with events in town and in seven nearby localities. The awards ceremonies took place in Piazza Castello, integrating Italian history and piazza culture with the Olympics.

Turin | Define Turin at Dictionary.com Turin [too r-in, tyoo r-, too-rin, tyoo-] /ˈtʊər ɪn, ˈtyʊər-, tʊˈrɪn, tyʊ-/ Spell noun 1. a city in NW Italy, on the Po: capital of the Kingdom of Italy 1860–65. Expand [sahr-din-ee-uh, -din-yuh] /sɑrˈdɪn i ə, -ˈdɪn yə/ Spell noun 1. a large island in the Mediterranean, W of Italy: with small nearby islands it comprises a department of Italy. 9301 sq. mi. (24,090 sq. km). 2. a former kingdom 1720–1860, including this island and Savoy, Piedmont, and Genoa (after 1815) in NW Italy: ruled by the House of Savoy. Capital: Turin. [sahr-de-nyah] /sɑrˈdɛ nyɑ/ (Show IPA).

Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for Turin Expand Contemporary Examples From Turin, as Ligety continued his rise to success in the alpine ski world, he and Miller would interact more as peers. The Can't-Miss Sochi Showdown: Bode Miller And Ted Ligety Jake Bright February 8, 2014 The boys of Real Madrid debuted their new look on Monday when they arrived in Turin, Italy. We Are All Germans Now: Europeans Travel North Looking for Jobs Barbie Latza Nadeau September 7, 2012 He promptly found himself under arrest at the Paris airport, where he was about to connect to Turin. Historical Examples We spent the afternoon in Pisa, and, after a night's journey, arrived at Turin in the morning. Italian Popular Tales Thomas Frederick Crane Two years later came the defeat of Ramillies, to be followed in three months by the disaster at Turin. British Dictionary definitions for Turin Expand noun 1.

a city in NW Italy, capital of Piedmont region, on the River Po: became capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1720; first capital (1861–65) of united Italy; university (1405); a major industrial centre, producing most of Italy's cars. Pop: 865 263 (2001) Italian name Torino Sardinia noun 1. the second-largest island in the Mediterranean: forms, with offshore islands, an administrative region of Italy; ceded to Savoy by Austria in 1720 in exchange for Sicily and formed the Kingdom of Sardinia with Piedmont; became part of Italy in 1861. Capital: Cagliari. Pop: 1 637 639 (2003 est). Area: 24 089 sq km (9301 sq miles) Italian name Sardegna Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for Turin Expand Sardinia large island west of Italy, Latin, from Greek Sardo; perhaps named for the local Iberian people who settled there; the original form and meaning of the name is lost. A Punic (Phoenician) stelle from 7c. B.C.E. refers to it as Shardan. The oblique cases are sometimes Sardonos, etc., as if from *Sardon. Related: Sardinian. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Question: Turin is the major city of which region of Italy?
Answer: Piedmont