Turin is one of Italy’s most beautiful and elegant cities, but thanks to its position, it has been largely untouched by mass tourism, making it the perfect place for an unhurried cultural getaway.

Visit the Residences of the House of Savoy, a UNESCO World Heritage site of 14 palaces scattered around Piedmont. It’s a great way to get to know the region and its history.

Thanks to the Savoy, Turin has the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts outside of Egypt which you can see at the Museo Egizio.

Visit the stunning landscapes of the wine producing Langhe and Roero valleys. Drink Barolo, perhaps Italy’s greatest wine, which is produced in a small area of Piedmont. Not far away, enjoy some wine tasting in the underground wine cathedrals of Canelli.

Hunt for truffles near Alba. If you are traveling in fall, don’t miss the International While Truffle Festival where you can watch historical parades, meet chefs and taste truffles.

Attend the annual medieval Battle of the Oranges in Ivrea. Remember your red hat if you don’t want to become a target!

Climb to Sacra di San Michele in the Susa Valley, the wonderful monastery that inspired local Umberto Eco when he wrote ‘The Name of the Rose’.

Chocolate has a long tradition in Turin where you’ll find a lot of shops and factories dedicated to the city’s famous chocolate cakes, sweets and drinks. Make sure to try gianduiotti, invented to avoid the high cost of cocoa under Napoleon, and bicerin, a drink of hot chocolate, coffee and cream.