Turin | Gran Paradiso
Seven trips to Italy: the fourth trip to Turin and Gran Paradiso
When a book about Italy was given to me I d’like to see Gran Paradiso, to explore Italian mountains. Also next Italian city ought to visit was Turin, so my fourth trip to Italy was Turin (2 days) and Gran Paradiso (5 days). It was end of April, first green and the sun greeted us in Turin, crocuses — in Gran Paradiso.
The route of my trip
Duration: vacation week (5 working days and 3 weekend days)
- Arrival to Turin. The Mole Antonelliana — National Cinema Museum
- Turin: Egyptian Museum, Madama Palace, Royal Palace of Turin, Museum of Eastern Art, Solferino Square, Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, Valentino Park
- Departure to Cogne, Gran Paradiso
- Cogne stroll
- Lillaz. Valnontey strolls
- Gimilian stroll
- Cogne stroll
- Departure
Turin 2 days
1-st day: Arrival, The Mole Antonelliana
From airport Caselle to Turin we got by bus (about 40 min). The bus went on remarkable route as we took an excursion bus. The sun shined, the spring gladdened. It was odd to know that Turin called a city of white and black magic. But in the bus I had an extraordinary feeling as I would see next moment something especial — so it was, our bus came to Statuto Square.
Our hotel was nearby railway station Porta Nuova, (where from we arrived to Gran Paradiso) and nearby all main sights, Hotel Concord****. The hotel was good and our room had back nice view so it was quietly. We bought an abonnement for transport and museums so we didn’t think about tickets any more.
Had a bit of rest at the hotel. we went to The Mole Antonelliana, on the way we had seen The church of Gran Madre di Dio. There was a big queue to enter The Mole Antonelliana, so we was standing there for a couple hours. A strong cold wind was blowing, so we opened our umbrellas. There is National Cinema Museum with a transparent lift in large indoor space of The Mole Antonelliana. For the lift we stood in a queue one more time for about a half hour. When we came out there was a crowd at the street near The Cinema Massimo. There were camera flashes of reporters and photographers around dressed up people which came from the state-of-the-art multiplex.
2-d day: Grand Turin stroll
Next day was a superb weather again and we had a good day stroll to explore Turin. First it was Egyptian Museum with not-earth atmosphere because of special interior design. Added the unrealistic spirit Museum of Eastern Art.
Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art had impressed us too by contrast comparing of classic and contemporary art things — so one could better understand what contemporary art means. After Park Valentino gardens and drooping in Medieval Village we sat on boat and had a little river Po stroll. We had also a guided tour to Botanical garden — one more interest stroll. (Everything was included in our touristic abonnement. by the way).
We lived in such place that all our routes always went only passing by San Carlo Square and no time to it. So we didn’t see the most beautiful place in Turin.
3-d day: Departure to Cogne, Gran Paradiso
Next day we departed to Gan Paradiso National Park, to Cogne. First we got by train to Aosta (2 h.) then we took a taxi to Cogne (40 min, 40 km), because a bus would be not soon. As variant, we could leave our luggage at the railway station and walk to explore Aosta. The road to Cogne was serpentine above a deep canyon with stunning views. The way to Aosta was spectacular too. But more spectacular views were not from the train, but from a taxi on the back way, from Cogne to airport. It would be wonderful to ride with open car cover like as a cabriolet or to make stops to a little walk. Read about Gran Paradiso trip in the article Cogne.
