On our trip we were thinking of spending a night in Genoa and a night in Turin. Does anyone have any information on either place that they are willing to share to help us make a more informed decision?
Thank you.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
A couple of years ago I had them both in a short trip. The cities are both very well worth a visit, being totally different in character. Turin is an elegant, planned city, built as the capital of the then Duch of Savoy. Genoa is an old port city, where you need a detailed map to find your bearings, with splendour in unexpected corners.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you for your reply. I have not been able to find anything in Rick Steve's guidebook and so I was not sure it was worth a stop. Of course, there is only so much he can write in those fabulous guides.
Posted by
Watertown, MA
118 posts
Have not been to Genoa but love Turin!!
you may find one night would not be enough : ) I have been there twice and would love to go again.
Turin was the first capital of Italy right after unification, where Fiat was born as well as Eataly.
It has plenty of great museums (car, Egyptian, cinema), easy to get around and lovely food!
the Turin tourist board's website will give you some ideas.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Please take this in the supportive and friendly way I intend, but there is a lot of Italy worth seeing that is not in RS' guidebook. One problem is that the book is already so long, the publishers won't let him add more pages, or so the story goes. Also, his narrative is so explicit - which is great for first-time visitors - that what he does cover takes up a lot of space.
Get a Lonely Planet guidebook, or google images of cities you are interested in seeing, if not in the RS book.
Posted by
seattle
2047 posts
We stayed in both places a few years ago. Both were great. Turin is lovely and flat. Lots of great cafes. We also visited the Fiat museum which was fun. In Genoa, we pricelined a hotel and got The Grand Hotel Savoia whuch was beautiful. Of couse it was off season (March) but cheap then. Genoa is quite hillly, but lots to see. Both cities are worth a visit for a few days, if you have them.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
I enjoyed Turin for the same reasons mentioned and purchased the relevant Lonely Planet chapter as a PDF download from their web site for under $5.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11336 posts
We like both cities, although our time in Genoa was short. The aquarium is great. Loved this hotel, Residence Nuvole, which is close to the waterfront/aquarium, maybe a 15 minute walk from the train station. Also see these ideas from The Independent as to how to spend your time.
Torino is terrific! We've been twice and still would go back. The Egyptian Museum is overwhelming but great. The National Museum of the Automobile is terrific, and a trip out to La Venaria worthwhile. It is rather like Versailles but no crowds. No need for a car, BTW. There is a handy bus out to La Venaria. With two trips and a total of three nights, we did not get to do everything we wished.