A Weekend in Turin: The Heart of Piemonte

Check into Hotel Principe di Piemonte, a five-star oasis of refined luxury. The hotel is a favorite among Hollywood A-listers including Johnny Depp, Sharon Stone and Angelina Jolie. It offers a discreet yet lavish retreat with elegant suites, panoramic city views and one of the best spas in the region. Indulge in a hydrotherapy ritual, ease into a Turkish bath or simply unwind in the jacuzzi jets before stepping out to explore the city’s architectural splendor.

Piazza Castello & The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist

Turin’s beating heart, Piazza Castello, is framed by majestic porticoes and regal palaces, reflecting the city’s aristocratic past. Take a moment to admire the Palazzo Madama, an architectural masterpiece that seamlessly blends medieval towers with a graceful baroque façade. Or stroll through the Palazzo Reale, once home to the powerful House of Savoy.

A short walk away, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist houses one of Christianity’s most enigmatic relics — the Shroud of Turin. While the sacred cloth is rarely displayed, the cathedral’s elegant Renaissance design and intimate, candle-lit atmosphere make it a serene sanctuary in the city’s bustling core.

Lunch at Farmacia del Cambio

For lunch, step into a bygone era at Farmacia del Cambio, a Michelin-recommended restaurant set in a 19th-century pharmacy. The original wooden counters, glass apothecary jars and antique cabinets set the stage for a truly unique dining experience. The menu reimagines classic Piedmontese dishes, featuring delicacies like agnolotti del plin — tiny, hand-pinched pasta parcels filled with veal, pork and rabbit, bathed in a delicate sage-infused butter sauce. Pair it with a glass of Barbaresco or Barolo, and you've got a meal worthy of royalty.

A spa interlude & sunset cocktails

After an afternoon of discovery, return to Principe di Piemonte’s spa for a relaxing soak, followed by a Turkish hammam session to rejuvenate before the evening ahead.

For a sunset cocktail, head to Bar Cavour, an intimate, dimly lit speakeasy-style bar tucked above the legendary Del Cambio restaurant. Order a Vermouth di Torino, a local specialty that dates back to the 18th century. Or try a negroni sbagliato — a Turin classic with prosecco replacing gin.

Dinner at Piano 35 – A culinary experience above the clouds

As night falls, ascend to Piano 35, Italy’s highest Michelin-starred restaurant, perched atop the futuristic Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper. Designed by Renzo Piano, this architectural gem offers 360-degree views of the city, with the Alps looming majestically in the distance.

The menu is a modern ode to Piedmontese cuisine. With dishes like veal carpaccio with hazelnuts and truffle, and risotto infused with Castelmagno cheese and Barolo reduction. Each plate is a delicate balance of tradition and innovation, crafted from the freshest local ingredients. The experience is nothing short of culinary theater, where every course is a work of art.

Start your day with a luxurious shopping spree along Turin’s elegant boulevards, where high-fashion houses like Gucci, Hermès, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana line the grand arcades. For a carefully curated selection of designer pieces, stop by La Rinascente, Turin’s premier department store, featuring a mix of Italian craftsmanship and international luxury.

For something more bespoke, explore Via Po, a charming street lined with antique bookstores, artisan perfumeries and boutique chocolatiers. You’ll find handcrafted truffle-infused delicacies and tailor-made leather goods.

A pasta lover’s dream: lunch at Pastificio Defilippis

Step into Pastificio Defilippis, a legendary pasta shop and trattoria that has been serving handmade delicacies since 1911. The menu pays homage to Piedmont’s pasta traditions. It offers an array of tajarin (golden, ribbon-like pasta), plin (tiny, delicate ravioli) and gnocchi di patate, all made fresh daily. The house specialty, tajarin al tartufo, is a decadent experience — silky ribbons of pasta generously coated in butter and shaved white truffle.

Spend the afternoon exploring Museo Egizio, one of the world’s most significant collections of Egyptian antiquities outside Cairo. Founded in 1824, the museum houses over 30,000 artifacts, including a statue of Ramses II, intricate hieroglyphic tablets and exquisitely preserved mummies. Wander through dimly lit halls where ancient sarcophagi, gilded amulets and papyrus scrolls whisper stories of a civilization lost to time.

End your Turin getaway with a final gastronomic flourish at Piccolo Lord, an intimate Michelin-mentioned hidden heaven. Here, Chef Luparello Diego and his wife Valentina craft an elegant tasting menu showcasing Piedmontese flavors with modern finesse. The candlelit ambiance, impeccable service and exquisite plating make for a farewell dinner that lingers in memory long after the last sip of Barolo.

A grand finale

After dinner, take a moonlit stroll through Piazza San Carlo, Turin’s most picturesque square, framed by twin baroque churches and historic cafés.