In this series I share a handful of recommendations for time-pressed travellers to pick and choose from, say a spot to eat or an attraction to visit. Enjoy.
1. A Must See: Torino…from Monte dei Cappuccini.
Turin is home to very few tall buildings, an increasingly rare trait in cities around the world. As a result a short walk up this hill on a clear day grants vast views of the city and the alps behind, easily better than queueing to go up an inevitably overcrowded skyscraper as you would in many a modern metropolis.
2. The Perfect Pick-Me-Up?
Bicerin. You’d be forgiven for thinking this is latest must-use skincare ingredient, when it’s actually a moreish hot drink hailing from Torino.
Comprised of distinct layers of coffee, cioccolata and milk cream, one must drink a bicerin without mixing it, the hot chocolate and coffee cut through the cream according to their densities so each ingredient is tasted in turn before mixing on the palate.
It’s claimed the drink was invented at Caffè Al Bicerin on Piazza della Consolata, evolving from an 18th century drink called Bavareisa [1]. This rich history makes the café a popular (and appropriate) spot to sample bicerin, although plenty of cafés on the surrounding streets serve the drink too.
Don’t be fooled when your bicerin arrives in a glass (see right)! It’s served at temperatures bordering on nuclear, so take time to savour it or risk the consequences!
3. A “Classy” Fast Food Option.
Food recommendations for Italy are largely unnecessary, simply wandering the streets of the major cities will unearth spots to appease even the pickiest eaters. Trapizzino is but one restaurant that falls firmly into crowd-pleasing territory.
Established in Rome in 2013, it has since spread to numerous Italian cities and crossed the Atlantic to New York. Named for it’s main offering, a Trapizzini is a corner of foccacia cut open to create a pocket stuffed with a heart-warming filling. [2]
Whilst some of the Rome locations are hole-in-the-wall style establishments designed for take-away, the Turin branch is a destination in its own right. Sitting just off Piazza Carlo Emanuele II, it doubles up as a winery with a good selection of both indoor and outdoor seating, ideal for drinks and finger food or a full meal. Rarely has fast food felt so distinguished.
Suggested order for a newcomer: one classic suppli, one pollo alla cacciatora trapizzini and a tiramisu to finish.
4. The Mole Antonelliana & National Cinema Museum.
Continuing with the theme of height started with my first recommendation, the Mole Antonelliana was Europe’s tallest brick building when it was first built. [3]
Today it’s home to Italy’s national cinema museum and covers the development of cinema, film sets and costumes as well as film production. For the most part the exhibits have a distinctly European flavour so don’t arrive expecting to gain a greater insight in to your favourite blockbusters.
Museum aside, the building itself is worth visiting for its striking design. You can purchase a ticket which covers both the museum and the glass lift that travels through the centre of the dome to the viewing platform above, very Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
References:
[1] https://bicerin.it/en/the-bicerin/
[2] https://www.trapizzino.it/en/
[3] https://www.museocinema.it/en/museum-and-ma-prolo-foundation/mole-antonelliana