This Lesser-visited City Was the First Capital of Italy-and It's Home to Historic Cafes, Stunning Palaces, and an Egyptian Museum

"Imagine an elegant Italian city with a bit of French je ne sais quoi-that city is Turin (or Torino in Italian). Capital of the northern Italian region of Piedmont, Turin was part of the Duchy of Savoy, which covered the borderlands between Italy, France, and Switzerland. When Italy became a unified country in 1861, the royal family of Savoy became its rulers, and Turin-not Rome-became the country's first capital."

"There are royal palaces filled with artwork and priceless antiques, grand cafés, and fascinating museums. Turin is also the birthplace of vermouth, a fortified wine flavored with aromatic herbs that's used in cocktails like the Negroni and the martini, which can be sipped at bars around town. The cuisine is influenced by French and Italian traditions and makes the most of the region's bounty, including prized white truffles and hazelnuts."

"On past trips to Turin, I've wandered through the halls of the Royal Palace, sipped cocktails at one of the city's best bars, and shopped at an antique bookstore, but I wanted to get more expert tips. I reached out to Zoe Stella Shapiro, founder of Stellavision Travel, and T+L A-List travel advisor Fulvio De Bonis, co-founder of Imago Artis Travel,"

Turin blends Italian and French influences in architecture, culture, and cuisine. The city served as the first capital of unified Italy in 1861 under the royal House of Savoy. Royal palaces contain artwork and priceless antiques, while grand cafés and numerous museums offer cultural attractions. Turin is the birthplace of vermouth, a fortified wine flavored with aromatic herbs used in cocktails such as the Negroni and martini and served at bars across town. Regional cuisine emphasizes local bounty, including prized white truffles and hazelnuts. The city features refined hotels like NH Collection Torino Piazza Carlina and attracts fewer tourists than Italy's more famous destinations.

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