Veneria Reale

After a fabulous lunch at at traditional Piedmontese trattoria with friends, we made a visit to another Savoy Palace. The Veneria Reale was kinda like a mini Versailles. Not quite as large, well-kept, or over-the-top, but still impressive. My favorite was the Grand Hall. (After posting a photo of it on FB, some friends have recommended a possible redecoration of our own 'grand hall' in our home! Heehee!) It really was gorgeous. The most impressive thing is that like many of the other Savoy palaces, this thing sat in ruins for decades until they started renovations in the late 1990's. It's amazing what they've been able to restore.
Be sure to check the photo of the little Ape gelato cart - we neeeeed one of these at our market!!

Mont Michele

Imagine stepping into Umberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose'. This is it. I kept looking for doorways into hidden tunnels and secret libraries. (If you haven't read it, at least rent the movie!)

Stupinigi

This is the hunting palace of the Savoy family. As with most of the Savoy palaces around Torino, this place was in a state of decay, almost ruin, until the late 1990's. The grounds are enormous and what they've reconstructed is gorgeous.

Our Final Evening

Packing, packing & packing.
I think Miss Pelin would like to be packed in our bags - I would not object. We're gonna miss that fuzzy little brick!
Then off to dinner at Piano B - the first place we had dinner here. And a final stroll about town. Lastly, a goodbye to Alberto Marchetti, our neighborhood gelateria.
Tomorrow we fly. See you later, Torino. Your people were warm, generous and gentle. Your palaces were over the top fabulous (and soooo many!). We loved your parks, castles and Toret. Your piazzas, river walk, incredible churches and so many museums. Thank you.