Turin

TURIN is a city which is known throughout the world for its cuisine. That is probably the reason behind trattorias, wine bars and restaurants being scattered across every zone of the city and on its outskirts. And Turin, too, has a plethora of excellent wines produced in the hills surrounding the city. The city has a certain old-world charm with wide tree-lined boulevards and grand public buildings. The cathedral is where the shroud of Turin is kept - which Jesus was purportedly buried in - but for visitors it may be disappointing to realise that it is unveiled just once every 25 years. It is next scheduled to be seen in public in 2025. Turin was the venue for this year's Winter Olympic Games which saw much development across the city with six new sporting venues and an Olympic village being built. A new transport system was also introduced. But in spite of the transformation of the city, the city remains charming and being situated in northern Italy, the River Po and the Alps make a spectacular backdrop. One attraction in Turin is the Piazza Castello, the location of grand palaces such as Palazzo Reale, the royal palace of the Savoy dynasty, and Palazzo Madama, a building which has been in its history a castle, prison, barracks, senate house and now a museum. Another visitor attraction is the Museum of Cinema, which includes theme booths were visitors can see clips of their choice. FACT Turin was the first capital of modern Italy between 1861 and 1865.