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I can't remember when my fascination with Turin started, but for the past few years, I have been drawn to the city. It is loaded with history. In fact, nearly all of Italy’s history leading to the country's unification was centralized in Turin. It's beautiful. I kept seeing all these beautiful pictures - the mountains in the background, the clean roads and sidewalks, and all the chocolate shops. It seemed like the perfect city - a clean version of the typical Italian city. Below is a quick guide to the city, of course, starting with the food. What to EatTurin is located in the Piedmonte region of northern Italy, surrounded by the Alps mountains. It is best known for chocolate, but it is also well known for the abundance of palaces and creation of the Fiat. In fact, Torino is credited for inventing Nutella, a beloved treat among Italians. Nutella began as a chocolate spread called "pasta gianduja." During the English embargo on cocoa during the Napoleonic wars, cocoa became too expensive, and the guanduja spread had to be improvised - thus, in 1964 the Turinese began adding hazelnuts to the spread and called it Nutella! Credit: Food Lover's Odyssey Bicerin (which essentially translates to "little glass") is a hot drink invented in 1763 for aristocrats and artists. Today, the coffee, chocolate, and cream mixture is enjoyed by all citizens as a decadent treat. For a regal experience, visit Caffè al Bicerin, the original Bicerin cafe to enjoy a 5 euro coffee (Piazza della Consolata, 5) Photo by @stefina68 What to DoAs I walked through the streets, I couldn’t help but feel the elegance around me. Turin has large boulevards, arcade shopping malls, and a peculiarly large amount of palaces, and while it is almost impossible to see them all in one day, it's reasonable to spend an hour or two inside the Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace). If you happen to visit in the spring or summer, you can also visit the Gardini Reali (Royal Gardens). The façade dates back to 1658, while the staircase leading up to the first floor (pictured below) was redone in 1864 by Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s first king. The interiors of the rooms are decorated with gilt, stucco, frescos, tapestries, and chandeliers. There is even a specific throne room for the King and Queen (Sala del Trono & Sala del Trono della Regina). It is one of the most impressive buildings in all of Italy. Open daily, except Monday from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm Perhaps the most iconic symbol of the entire city, the Mole Antonelliana is a 167 meter tall tower, whose aluminium spire dominates the Turin skyline. It was the official emblem for the 2006 Winter Olympics and it even appears on the 2 cent Euro coin. While it was originally built to be a synagogue, it now houses the National Cinema Museum (Museo Nazionale del Cinema), making it the tallest museum in the world. Entrance to the museum is 14 euros and also includes a lift to the top deck of the Mole Antonelliana for panoramic views. You can also buy a separate ticket for just the elevator for 7 euros. Hours: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Sunday, Mon & Wed-Fri, and 10 am to 11 pm Saturday Address: Via Montebello 20, Turino, Italia Turin is also home to the second most important Egyptian museums in the world, only behind Cairo. The Museo Egizio holds 30,000 artifacts of outstanding quality. In 1753, King Charles Emmanuel III sent Vitaliano Donati to Egypt. He came back with 30 Egyptian artifacts, which began the impressive collection. Founded in 1824, the museum today holds an entire Papyrus collection room, the Temple of Tuthmosi III and the Tombs of Kha and of Merit. Address: Via Accademia delle Scienze, 6, 10123 Hours: 9:00 am - 6:30 pm daily Tuesday - Sunday, and 9:00 am - 2 pm on Monday Special EventsTurin is home to many events throughout the year. Make sure to check the website for exact dates.
Torino Jazz Festival - Events take place in Piazza Castello and around Piazza Vittorio Veneto from April 25th to May 1st. Turin International Book Fair - For five days every May, Turin hosts an International Book Fair to open the doors for literature debates, science, cinema, and journalism. TorinoDanza Festival - held during the last week of September, the Danza festival which is intended to reach out to new and contemporary forms of choreography. Turin International Street Theatre Festival - Turin hosts live performances throughout the streets in September. Over 1,000 artists from all over the world gather for these shows, meetings, and workshops. And, of course, if you happen to see a live street performance, it is free to watch! Torino Film Festival focuses on up and coming filmmakers and gives attention to different new artistic trends, both in Italy and internationally. Typically held during the last week of November, this festival is Italy's second most important film festival (behind Venice), and has even earned the city the title, 'Tollywood.' CioccolaTo, a 10-day-long chocolate fair for chocoholics from around the world. It runs each year, from the end of November through the beginning of December.
128 Comments
sandy nasif
3/20/2017 02:00:21 am
I've never heard of Turin! Will def check it out new time!
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3/20/2017 09:55:23 am
This is just amazing!! How gorgeous is the city??!!!!
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Robin Rue
3/20/2017 12:00:42 pm
I would LOVE to go to Turin someday. It sounds like an amazing place to visit.
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3/20/2017 01:22:27 pm
I always come across blogs about Italy and it makes me want to go there more! The pictures you posted were amazing too! It adds up to my eagerness to go there!
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Tereza
3/20/2017 02:44:27 pm
What a lovely guide! Really enjoyed reading it! I'm especially intrigued by Bicerin - I've never heard of it but since my boyfriend lived in italy a few years back I need to ask him - I'm surprised he's never mentioned it because he's obsessed with Italian coffee and hot drinks!!:) x
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What a really interesting post - I never knew that about Nutella and it is something my boys will be pleased to know about before our upcoming trip to Italy. I will have to see how far away Turin is from Florence as my 9 year old has been learning about Egyptians. Mind sounds completely the opposite way to Rome which my 7 year old has been learning about.
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3/20/2017 04:43:38 pm
Anywhere that invented nutella is heaven for me!Id love to wander the royal gardens and soak up the atmosphere. Never knew it had such a good Egyptian myseum either.
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3/20/2017 04:44:59 pm
I had no idea that Turin was a place that inspired so many inventions, especially Nutella mmm! I would love to visit Turin at some point soon x
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3/20/2017 04:57:57 pm
What a beautoful City, one that i've never heard of, and very educatioinal especially about how Nutella came about, to think hey all due to money!
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3/20/2017 06:10:13 pm
Turin looks like a fabulous city with so much to do! I would love to visit the Royal Gardens or attend their jazz festival and international book fair.
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tara pittman
3/20/2017 06:43:42 pm
That dining room looks so pretty. I would enjoy eating dinner there.
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3/20/2017 09:42:51 pm
WOW! This place looks amazing. WANDERLUST in full bloom now!
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3/20/2017 10:14:23 pm
Wow, some amazing artwork and architecture there! That place looks like a sightseeing paradise, not to mention the history that you shared! Glad you got to enjoy, thanks for sharing such a cool experience!
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wendy
3/20/2017 10:56:10 pm
The pictures are gorgeous! I would love to go and visit someday. I think it would be a blast to see everything and taste the food!
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Wow- what a beautiful place! I have never been to Italy yet, but hope to soon. I will definitely be adding Turin to me list. I had no idea Nutella was invented there hahah that used to be my favourite treat for a long time. Thank you for sharing so much information!
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3/21/2017 02:48:26 am
I have never seen such a luxurious room with an interior and wallpaper like the Palazzo Reale. I wonder what would I feel when I visit here.
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Elizabeth O.
3/21/2017 02:57:42 am
It's really beautiful in Turin! I loved learning more about it in this post. I'm a huge fan of chocolate so I'm sure that this place will be like heaven for me. The museums are works of art themselves. SO beautiful and well preserved!
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3/21/2017 06:51:44 am
Bicerin looks tempting! Turin is just so extravagantly lovely. The rich decor and the beautiful castles remind me of the medieval set up. I would love to visit Turin someday and I look forward to learning a lot from Turin as well.
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shweta shah
3/21/2017 12:02:47 pm
wow! i love the history and architecture. I have never been here but will definitely bookmark this for the future.
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Jay Simms
3/21/2017 01:26:27 pm
Italy looks like such a beautiful place to visit! I hope to visit one day.
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3/21/2017 01:39:27 pm
A wonderful post! I really enjoyed looking at all those places with you! Like you, I simply adore Turin!
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Ruth I.
3/21/2017 03:29:21 pm
I really admire Europe for the architecture and food! I find Turin really interesting, I didn't know that about nutella!
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3/21/2017 04:37:51 pm
I had never even heard of this city prior to reading your post. The palace is stunning. Totally putting it on my list!
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3/21/2017 05:06:26 pm
The dining room is very impressive! Italy is one of the countries that rich in history and art. Thank you for sharing some great facts about Turin!
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3/21/2017 08:08:31 pm
Bicerin looks amazing! Loved looking at all of your photos! I have not been to Italy but would one day like to travel there!
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Great post on Turin. I didn't know they invented Nutella there he he he! The coffee & chocolate drink looks delicious! I also didn't know Turin had such an amazing Egyptian museum. Wow. I'm obsessed about Egyptology. I hope besides Cairo I make it to Turin to see this great museum.
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Wendy Polisi
3/21/2017 11:17:26 pm
Italy is realky beautiful place. I'll make sure to bribg my husband there soon.
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Karlyn Cruz
3/21/2017 11:19:44 pm
What a nice place to visit. I love everything abiut Italy. Their foods and set up are really classy.
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Claire Santiago
3/21/2017 11:26:47 pm
first time to read about Turin, it's a nice place and oh, Nutella is everywhere...
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3/22/2017 12:40:47 am
Lovely post and pics! Turin looks like a nice city to visit. I'm fascinated by the Royal Palace.
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3/22/2017 01:10:35 am
Amazing! I want to go to Italy, but now I have to satisfy myself by Italian food cooked by myself :)
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3/22/2017 01:37:17 am
ITALYYYY! It is my absolute lifelong dream to travel to Italy. I would soak it all in - the culture, the art, the food. I'm even learning Italian to prepare myself for it! Italy is gorgeous.
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Ali Rost
3/22/2017 01:43:47 am
Last summer our neighbors went to Italy and this is one of the cities they visited. They came home raving about how delicious the chocolate was .. and all of the amazing architecture everywhere they turned. I'm going to forward your post along to them to see if they recognize any of the places
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Shasha
3/22/2017 04:22:01 am
Wow! Turin sounds like a hidden gem! I've never heard of this city before but it sounds amazing. That's so cool that they invented Nutella there! That's a good reason in itself to go visit. lol.
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Angela Milnes
3/22/2017 06:58:04 am
Italy is one of my favorite place that I want to travel. Italy took a long time to confront its environmental problems. After several improvements, it now ranks 84th in the world for ecological sustainability
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Emma
3/22/2017 02:20:31 pm
I've been all round Italy - Florence, Pisa, Puglia etc but never been to Turin. It looks like I've been missing out - anywhere that makes Nutella is great by me!
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3/23/2017 02:57:28 am
I can see why your fascinated with Turin, it looks beautiful. I've never been to Italy but hope to someday visit since I have family there.
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janine escolta
3/23/2017 05:11:31 am
Italy is one of my favorite place. When you are trying to plan a honeymoon, it can be stressful. You are trying to plan the best possible vacation with the right number of places to see and things to do. You are trying to pick the right places to visit. The best hotels. The best places to eat.
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3/23/2017 05:21:46 pm
Wow this looks amazing! I've always wanted to go to Italy but I've never heard of Turin, it looks beautiful x
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3/23/2017 11:26:13 pm
Love it. What a great place to think about visiting.
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Claire
3/24/2017 08:58:24 am
It's so pretty! I never knew much about Turin - or about the history of Nutella!
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3/24/2017 12:00:22 pm
Pure Decadence that coffee/chocolate drink. I firts had it in Assisi and I got hooked. Turin sounds liek another Italian City to add to my list of Must See places :)
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chichi
3/24/2017 07:59:30 pm
i love italy but surprisingly haven't visited turin, your guide is perfect and will be using it when i visit the city!
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3/24/2017 08:45:55 pm
I'm planning a trip for 3 or 4 days to Italy, and I'm just not sure where the best use of my time would be. I want to see it all! And now I have to add Turin to my list! Thanks for sharing.
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This is amazing! What is more amazing is that this place came up with NUTELLA. Ummmm... yum! Also that coffee and cream drink looks like something I would be incredibly addicted to. I love the history that you provided about everything! I would love to able to travel!
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Kelly
3/25/2017 02:12:14 pm
I love that you spoke about a northern region of Italy that I have never heard of. Also love that they invented Nutella. Who knew?? Also love all the castles. Would lovw to explore them!!
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3/25/2017 05:39:40 pm
Oh wow, what a beautiful city. I have been to the outskirts of Italy bordering France, but have never heard of this place! Thank you for the visual snapshot.. now I want to travel there! :)
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3/25/2017 09:39:36 pm
I have never been to Turin and it's such a shame since I have spent so much time in Italy. We are thinking of going back in the summer and if we do this is on the list. For whatever reason I will always associate Nutella with Italy since that's the first place I ever tried it!
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3/26/2017 04:14:58 am
my husband and I were just talking about taking a trip there. What an awesome place. thank you so much for sharing
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3/26/2017 10:02:28 pm
I love this blog post so much! Italy has a special place in my heart because it was one of the first countries I visited in Europe. I can't wait to go back and visit, I've been itching to go to Europe for some time now! Also, the biceril drink looks SO GOOD!!
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3/27/2017 12:44:32 am
Turin looks fabulous. And did a great job taking us on a tour and adding some interesting facts about coco as well. I love your approach and your writing. Keep up the good work.
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Riely
3/27/2017 02:21:13 am
Fun fact about Nutella! Turin seems so rich with history. I would love to visit the Royal Gardens as well as the Palace. The Egyptian museum sounds really neat as well.
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Wendy Polisi
3/27/2017 05:31:37 am
A very lovely hotel, well situated, clean & welcoming. I would recommend this hotel to everyone who wants to visit a centrally placed hotel in the centre of beautiful Turin. No complaints what-so-ever, it was all perfect !!
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3/27/2017 11:09:05 am
It look beautiful and I always wanted to visit. I would love too one day. xx
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3/27/2017 12:21:53 pm
I've had Turin on my radar since those Winter Olympics, but those food photos have made me want to go there even more! =)
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3/27/2017 12:49:53 pm
It is not fair you begin it with Nutella :D
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3/27/2017 01:19:56 pm
Informative guide on Turin. I knew Nutella was from Italy but now knowing the origin of it all, also the car Fiat. Thanks.
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RUSS
3/27/2017 02:59:09 pm
Oh you are one lucky gal. Turin is beautiful! I love how there's so much history in it, too. I'll make sure that I'll go there in one of my future trips.
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3/27/2017 03:42:09 pm
You've just added another city to visit to my list in Italy. I love how Turin photographs with the mountains in the background. I'm a chocoholic to December would be a good time for me to visit for the CioccolaTo!
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3/27/2017 04:03:05 pm
Never been in this place.The place looks so intresting. How I wish I can attend some of the activities mentioned.
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That looks like an awesome place to visit, I definitely have to visit Italy again and dust my Italian :-)
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I don't think one could ever run out of fun things to do in Italy. There's so much to see in such little time. I could probably spend a year there and still have more to see. I would love to visit the Mole Antonelliana and also try some yummy Italian food I've heard so much about! :)
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3/27/2017 10:52:06 pm
Oh my goodness. Those are some stunning photos. It makes me want to hop on a plane and visit! And very interesting info about Nutella!I I'll think of this post the next time I have Nutella!
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3/28/2017 03:01:12 am
bring me here now pls! hihi! love the pictures and the very informative guide! Thanks for this!
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3/28/2017 04:24:32 am
Another wonderful adventure to add to my schedule! I need to get to Turin! :)
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3/28/2017 04:50:59 am
Wow, Royal Palace looks amazing. I's love to visit Italy someday.
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3/28/2017 07:10:37 am
Oh my gosh how did I not even know of Turin? I have always wanted to go to Italy but I have to say that I was not aware of this beautiful little gem. I would absolutely love to see the Egyptian museum. I'm sure it is amazing. I love European chocolate too so I'm sure I would leave about 50 lbs heavier lol.
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3/28/2017 08:22:50 am
what a gorgeous place!! I hope I get to visit it one day x
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3/28/2017 10:15:19 am
It seems Turin is a beautiful place to visit.I really like to see such beautiful architecture.These views are gorgeous!
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3/28/2017 12:15:16 pm
This is surprising, I haven't heard of this amazing place before and I would like to visit someday.
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Stephanie
3/28/2017 03:38:10 pm
That palace really stole my heart! I would love to visit there one day!
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3/28/2017 09:58:46 pm
Super informative, and the images you took are gorgeous! I really feel as though I've been transported there!
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3/29/2017 01:21:33 am
Wow! I haven't been to Turin, but it sure looks like a lovely city! Thanks for the very informative post, I'll bookmark it for future reference :)
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Gábor
3/29/2017 01:25:08 am
Wow! Really reminds me of my home Innsbruck... I need to visit turin once im back...
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shweta shah
3/29/2017 04:32:35 pm
love the insights you have shared here. and who doesnt love the occassional nutella splurge!
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3/29/2017 05:56:41 pm
This is a beautiful old world style structure. These are the type of places I love to know about. Hopefully I will get to Italy one day and be able to see it for myself.
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3/30/2017 10:46:44 am
I would love to go to Turin someday. looks great
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3/30/2017 06:11:19 pm
Really? The birthplace of Nutella?! You've made my mouth water immediately! :D That's the sole reason to visit the place, needless to say that the town is truly charming and worth a visit. :)
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jithin thomas
3/30/2017 07:16:33 pm
Loved the post about Turin. Seems like a great city to explore. Great pictures.
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3/30/2017 10:33:24 pm
Wow, that's really a beautiful city! I wanted to stop there on my way back from Cinque Terre but didn't have time. You convinced me not to miss it during my next trip to Italy. I especially love the palace. It's so beautiful!!!
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Amy Rebecca Krigsman
3/30/2017 10:58:50 pm
This looks like a gem of Italy! And it looks like you had a wonderful time.
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Stephanie Fox
3/31/2017 08:32:54 am
Uhhh I had no idea Nutella originated in Turin! Feel like I should visit just for that, but then I saw the royal palace and wow, how beautiful! Looks a fantastic city
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4/4/2017 12:53:07 am
I have a slight obsession with Egypt so I wouldn't mind going to Turin and visiting the museum. It looks like you had a lot of fun.
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ABOUT MEHi, I'm Cassidy and this is my travel journal, aimed to inspire you to go and see our beautiful world! Featured Post: |