Turin or Verona

Turin was founded by the Romans 2,000 years ago, but it's true that they lack a "big roman ruin" like the Arena of Verona. They have a Roman age gate, but it's nothing to write home about.

Alba, the Capital of the Unesco Langhe Wine country, is 1:18 away by train from Turin; you'll need to rent a car in Alba to see the vineyards.

I'd go to Verona.

Turin is much further, has no vineyards around(AFAIK)

Sorry, Turin has the world-class vineyards of Piedmont (the Langhe) 30 to 40 minutes outside. Barolo, Barbaresco, etc etc. gorgeous countryside and exquisite wines.

I think Verona is probably a better/easier choice for your trip. But Turin's province of Piedmont is home to some of Italy's most important wines.

Verona hands down over Turin plus the area is famous for the Valpolicella (red) and Soave (white) wines. Easy to get to either type of wineries from Verona. Just google it :)

Put the Piemonte and Turin on your list for another trip. Wine villages around Alba are not far, less touristed area than other wine regions too.

I don't know why one goes to Turin

Probably those not interested in a fake balconies, those that like real royal palaces and Egyptian Museums would rather go to Turin.

Verona is closer to the Dolomites, but the Unesco picked the Langhe and not the Valpolicella area for a reason.

Why indeed would one go to Turin? It would only be alluring to those who enjoy culture, history, architecture, and the finer points of eating and drinking fine wines (and enjoying the city's cafè culture), but I agree otherwise is probably without interest.

FWIW, to me, Turin looks more like Paris and Verona looks more like central Italy.

Thanks for the help and here is another question. Should we stay in Verona and use it as a base to see other nearby towns or take a fast train down to our beloved Florence and do a quick wine tour in Tuscany before we need to get up to Balzano for the bike trip?

Should we stay in Verona and use it as a base to see other nearby towns or take a fast train down to our beloved Florence and do a quick wine tour in Tuscany before we need to get up to Balzano for the bike trip?

When we were in Verona 4 or 5 years ago, I couldn't find a company offering "small-group" tours similar to the ones offered in Florence by multiple companies. I had wanted to book a wine tour, but the cost of a private tour was prohibitive and there were no small groups to join.

On the other hand, it was very easy to get to Lake Garda by train, and there is plenty to see in Verona.

Leaving aside Verona vs Turin, this about Venice.
Homo Faber, an exhibition of the most remarkable skill and craftsmanship is happening in Venice September 11th to October 11th 2020.
Homo Sapiens - man as a thinker. (Also including women of course.)
Homo Faber - man as a creator of physical objects.
I visited Homo Faber in 2018, and that was the inaugural event. Without doubt one of the finest exhibitions I have ever seen.
We are returning to Venice in 2020 for Homo Faber, staying for a couple of weeks.

https://www.michelangelofoundation.org/en/homo-faber-event Is worth a look.

Turin is an underrated gem, I spent a wonderful 3 days there in November, it was very cold, and yet I wish I could have stayed longer. But it is far from the Dolomites and Venice: Verona makes far more sense. Turin and Piedmont are easily combined with a visit to the French Riviera and/or the Cinque Terre, if you ever go back to that part of the world. Also, the wine country of Piedmont looks great for a bike trip!

Verona is beautiful and elegant. I saw Anna Netrebko sing in La Traviata at the arena. How can that voice and passion exist? Extraordinary.
Domingo is also singing there this summer. World class.
Huge caste, creative set with moving lights on the marble steps/seats behind the stage. I sat where people watched shows almost 2,000 years ago. Then you look up to see the true mystery of time in the infinite sky.

A profound contemplation of human endeavors of creation....music, art, theater, wine.
Then you NEED some wine.