We then set off to explore Turin (Torino). As seasoned travellers (we have been to Wales after all), we planned to park up at a railway station and then use public transport to get in and out of the city centre. Rach and I did this very successfully when we stayed in Tuscany a few years ago and used the local trains to visit Pisa, Lucca and Florence. Not only that but the Turin local authority has recently introduced an all in one travel ticket which covers all modes of public transport although we never did find any sign of the 1 billion euro metro system.
And so we used the two Thomases to guide us to the next station on from Turin Airport. It did this with some success but not before trying again to navigate us down a track (again). The first station (Borgaro) gave the impression of being derelict and the only other car seemed to be abandoned. We decided to move on.
The next station (Venara) only had an automatic ticket machine and there was no mention of the all in one ticket so we purchased three x 3 zone tickets at 2.30 Euros each. We then went and sat on the Turin platform, which we had all to ourselves. In fact, we had the entire station to ourselves. After 15 or so minutes, we thought that it might be a good idea to check the timetable - the next train wasn't due for another 75 minutes and it was going to be a replacement bus.
So, we decided to drive a little closer (really not wanting to drive in to the centre of Turin) and this time as far as Dora which seemed to be a much larger stazione. Not really and still no sign of any metro (does it actually exist?). There was nothing for it but to pick a city centre car park and throw caution to the Tom Tom, which managed to redeem itself.
The drive in was actually fairly straightforward (with the exception of the occasional nutter behind the wheel and Italy does seem to have its fair share of those). We parked up in the underground car park and set off.
After a bit of retail therapy for Lou on Via Garibaldi (she didn't buy anything), we made our way to Piazza Castello and looked at a few historical buildings (Palazzo Reale, Chiesa di San Lorenzo and Duomo di San Giovanni) before deciding that the three and a half hour walking tour described in the guide book was too long and so cut out the last three hours. It was time for lunch.
But where to eat? We wanted sophistication and good food for less than 10 euros each and we eventually opted for a small ristorante offering a good selection of primi, secondi, a side dish and quarter litre of wine for 8.50. The menu touristico really do offer excellent value in Italy and this was no exception.
Refueled, we were raring to go and set off in search of The Mole, which apparently is the tallest brick built building in the World. For this reason, it wasn't difficult to track down. An elevator ride (7 euros for adults) took us through and up to the top of the dome, which provided a 360 degree view of the city. The scale of the city surprised Lou a little because she seemed to be under the impression that Turin was about the size of Mansfield.
After a failed search for gelato, we returned to the car park (less than 7 euros for 5 hours, so much like Mansfield) and placed our trust in TNT to get us home. This it did splendidly and can't be blamed for my turning on to a tram track in any way, which would have required the attention of more than T cut if I'd come in to contact with one.
We didn't come across a single Mini Cooper, never mind one sporting a union jack roof.
It's now approaching 7 pm and the rain has arrived (unlike the train at Venara), as has almost continuous thunder and occasional lightning. The smell of the freshly fallen rain on warm earth is delightful and there's plenty falling at the moment.
We have another early start tomorrow as we head off to our second villa, which is located inland from Genoa. Another test for the Corsa.
Brit count at the end of week 1: 3 plus 2 possibles earlier today although that can't be verified.
We're enjoying reading about your adventures Jon
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