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Turin may offer more after the Olympics
SIGHTSEEING: Turin is a bustling mix of eclectic styles _ from ornate French influences to Art Deco to ultramodern Olympic venues. The city is desperately trying to shed its industrial image and make itself over as one of Europe's new cultural centers.
Already, Turin's pre-Olympic cleanup turned several downtown streets into pedestrian-only zones, some with weekend open-air markets.
Europe's biggest open-air market, Porta Palazzo, is found each morning (except Sunday) in Piazza della Repubblica, the city's largest square. Everything from fresh produce and flowers to clothing and housewares is on display. Try Sicilian arancini, fried rice balls with various fillings - greasy but good.
Nearby you'll find the Balon antique and memorabilia market.
The downtown area is filled with small bookstores and shops on side streets.
No visit to Turin is complete without a visit to the landmark Mole Antonelliana, which was designed as a synagogue but never used as one. The towering structure features a 530-foot spire. It now houses a cinema museum where you can watch the silliest moments in movie history while sitting on toilet bowls; rest assured, the openings in the bowls are covered!
Most visitors prefer a thrilling elevator ride through the center of the Mole and out onto an observation deck for a great view of the mountains. The elevator has no support structure, hanging freely on cables.
The Museo Egizio, Turin's other celebrated museum, claims the second-biggest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside Cairo.
There are also several new contemporary art outposts, such as the GAM (Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea) and the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo downtown, and the fortress in Rivoli, a 20-minute drive from Turin.
ALPINE: Ski enthusiasts attending Olympic races in Sestriere and the women's venue of San Sicario will be disappointed to learn they will not be able to hit the slopes once the races are over.
Sestriere and San Sicario will be closed to recreational skiers and fans during the games. Runs in nearby Sauze D'Oulx, Claviere and Bardonecchia will be open.
When grouped together, the above-named resorts are called the Via Lattea (Milky Way).
Sestriere is considered one of the ugliest Alpine resorts in Italy, but the skiing is topnotch. (For charming villages, head over to the Dolomites in northeastern Italy.) The two circular towers ("torre") - symbols of Sestriere - will be part of the athletes' village.
A new chairlift built for the games connects Sestriere to San Sicario.
Bardonecchia is expected to become a European snowboarding center after games.
If you go:
TURIN AND THE PIEDMONT REGION: http://www.turismotorino.org/ or http://www.regione.piemonte.it/lingue/english/index.htm.
OLYMPICS: Tickets to some events are still listed at http://www.cosport.com/ or (877) 457-4647.
GETTING THERE: Connecting flights to Turin are available from Paris, Milan and Rome. Low-cost EasyJet flies to Turin from Paris-Orly and London-Lutton.
GETTING AROUND: Buses and trams are efficient, but the best way to see downtown is to walk. Eleven miles of arcades protect pedestrians from the weather.
WHERE TO STAY: Eight new four- and five-star hotels were built for the Olympics. The two Meridien hotels at the Lingotto are luxurious but practical only if your visit is based around an event at the Lingotto. Otherwise stay downtown.
SKIING: Local skiing lasts into April; visit http://www.vialattea.it/ or http://www.montagnedoc.it/.
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