Refined Italian cuisine and spectacular landscapes make this the perfect trip for foodies and adventurers alike.
Turin, home of Italian car design and incredible historical architecture. It’s a lot less touristy than Milan and to a certain degree reminiscent of Paris, but it’s the added extra of the sugar coated Alps that rise to the Northwest of the City that exude somewhat of an understated beauty. It may just be our new favourite spot for an aperitivo or two…as long as you’re not in the driving seat!
I was lucky to enough to be invited on this road trip across Turin by Ford UK to test drive their new luxury Vignale range; featuring the exclusive S-Max, Edge and Kuga models. My initial never-driven-abroad nerves soon subsided once sat in my very own deluxe Kuga. Slick and stylish in design both inside and out, with an impressive range of innovative technological features, including the handy advanced parking functions that help you find a spot, self-braking, voice activation and my personal favourite; the cooling seat function… it really takes luxury driving to the next level, but without losing the practicality you’d still require. With the built in navigation system up and running and sat very comfortably amongst my plush surroundings I was ready to begin my journey. Over the next two days we drove convoy style up and around the Torino hills, not just testing the car, but the best places to eat, see and do along the way…
Where to stay:
Hotel Palazzo Finati. A luxury 4 star hotel located in the heart of historic Alba. The hotel itself has impeccable taste and style, with the history and art of Alba incorporated in its essence. Their nine rooms are furnished with classic Italian interiors, offering a real sense of luxury with added elegance. They provide an array of fresh fruit, pastries, cheese and cakes for breakfast, which are available to all, at no extra cost.
What to do:
Guido Gobino. Visit the famous headquarters of renowned chocolatier Guido Gobino, where you’ll have a guided tour of the entire chocolate making process from scratch, not forgetting the opportunity to try their famous hazelnuts used to create the world’s best praline!
Ceretto Winery at Sunset. Drive up through the Torino hills and take in the spectacular views that lead you to the breath-taking Ceretto winery. Here, owner Federico Ceretto will talk you through the family history of the winery then walk you through the production warehouse. Afterwards, you can enjoy tasting a selection of the magnificent wines from the region whilst watching the sun set over the Alps in their very own wine box, named ‘The Cube’. This fascinating piece of architecture is a complete work of modern art, combining masterful skill with Torino tradition. The sharp edges and solid foundation mirror a young Borolo says Federico, robust structure and great longevity…bellissimo!
Piazza Duomo Vegetable Garden on the winery. The owner, Valter will show you the impressive variety of plants and vegetables used to create the famous 21, 31, 41, 51 salad; including the lesser known wasabi and oyster plants. His passion permeates through his work with the utmost care and attention to produce the highest quality ingredients that are then masterfully used in the Piazza Duomo restaurant. As everything is grown naturally, you are encouraged to taste anything that takes your fancy.
Black Truffle hunting on the grounds of Piazza Duomo. Venture into the forest with truffle dog Dora who will hunt for your very own truffles for you to take home. We were told Beyoncé and Jay Z did the very same last year. If they’re good enough for Bey, they’re good enough for us!
Where to eat:
Circolo dei Lettori. Located in the magnificent Palazzo Graneri della Roccia is a traditional Piedmont restaurant headed by Chef Stafano Fanti. A place steeped in history, art and music that has seen over many years the likes of intellects, artists and actors dine under its low ceilings, also known as ‘’La Tampa’’. The seven course tasting menu is highly recommended; using seasonal produce to create an exquisite fine dining experience. The Zabaglione parfait is one not to be missed!
Enoclub. A charming dining haven with a very sophisticated menu by Chef Marco Serra. Here you’ll find the main star of show, the white truffle of Alba, is added to the dishes in the most unique and delightful way. Hosting either a group or couple, this well- crafted menu and elegant setting is the perfect place for the lovers of high- quality Italian cuisine.
On the whole, Turin has a great deal to offer, especially on the foodie front. For a short trip of fine wining and dining, broken up with some exciting drives through the hills and beyond, it really is a fantastic place to discover by car, packed with the finest restaurants and wineries that are only enhanced by the stunning scenic landscapes that surround them.