Torino, Italy - 22 and 23 April 2014

When planning our French adventure we quickly concluded that it would be great to include a visit to Northern Italy en route to Uzès.  One of the main reasons for this was to catch up with Andrew’s cousin Tania, her partner Giulio, and their two kids Santi and Holly, who live just near Torino.

Our two days in Torino were the perfect antidote for the stressful drive from Paris.  Giulio and Tania both took time out from running their own businesses, and treated us to a great mixture of family hospitality, city sightseeing and a lovely day trip into the Piedmont wine region.

Family Hospitality

The kids had a great time playing with Santi and Holly, and relaxing in a family home, with Xavier not surprisingly taking a liking to Santi’s battery-powered quad-bike.

(Can you believe his PJ top says "Lovable" after the previous day's highjinks?)

Andrew and Elle were just happy to learn about Tania and Giulio’s life in Torino, to meet Giulio's parents, and to catch up on family gossip, while consuming antipasti, local wines and some delicious home-cooked meals.

We also visited Tania’s business, The Language Centre, and Andrew joined Giulio watching two evening Champions League soccer matches, with Italian commentary, proving that when it comes to sport, he will pretty much watch anything. (Elle’s note: I did not write this.)

City Sightseeing

None of the Five had been to Torino before, so it was great to get a tour of the City Centre, guided by Tania and Giulio.  In addition to seeing several highlights, such as the Mole Antonelliana, and the outside of the Cinema Museum (there was a long queue to get in - need we say more? – but it appeared to be hosting an exhibition of female Oscar winners - Dive da Oscar) and the Piazza Castello, it was great to just walk around and take in the architecture, the history and some of the shops, largely through arcades at the front of the city buildings, which were built so royalty did not get rained on. Of course they took us to a great cafe for delicious pizza, and then Tania treated us at her favourite gelato shop, Grom.

William was very happy to spot a Snoopy sticker on a red Vespa, while Andrew wondered if sister-in-law and fashion counsellor, Gervase, would approve of him buying a new look.

Piedmont Wine Region

For our last day, Tania came up with the inspired suggestion that we leave the kids with her lovely babysitter, Juzi, and drive about 70km south of Torino to a small village called La Morra, in the Piedmont wine region, for lunch.  It was a cracking blue-sky day, and once off the motorways, the sights were amazing, particularly the panoramic view from La Morra (click on the photo below for a better idea).

Lunch was fantastic, with awesome antipasti plates selected by Giulio, which were delicious, but huge, so we followed with more moderate main courses and desserts, accompanied by some fine Barolo wine (one of the most famous wines in Italy, which is produced very close to La Morra).

On our departure, early on Thursday morning, we were well-rested and very pleased with what we had seen in and around Torino.  It has been a real highlight of our adventures. Thanks to Tania, Giulio, Santi and Holly for making us so welcome!