Palaces & Gardens of Piedmont
Stately Turin, framed by the Alps, is characterised
by the royal residences of the House of Savoy in the city and surrounding
countryside. Special features of this tour include the re-opened Palazzo
Madama and several private country homes and gardens. |
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As seat of the House of Savoy from the 16th century, the formal layout
and appearance of Turin was influenced by the proximity of France. The
two great architects of Turin, Guarino Guarini and Filippo Juvarra, gave
the city a Baroque aspect and a monumental scale appropriate to its later
role as the first capital of a united Italy. Much admired on the Grand
Tour, the centro storico, with its graceful arcaded streets and squares,
and its elegant old cafés and restaurants, preserves some of the
atmosphere of that era.
The highlight of our first day will be visiting the Palazzo Madama,
which has been restored and re-opened after nearly 20 years. We climb
Juvarra’s spectacular staircase to visit the magnificent Baroque
rooms and royal apartments and to see the masterpieces of the Museo di
Arte Antica, including paintings, sculpture, ivories, ceramics and furniture.
We will also visit the Baroque churches of San Lorenzo
and I Santi Martiri as well as the Galleria Sabauda,
art collection of the Savoy dynasty.
Close to the attractive town of Pinerolo, seat of the
ancestors of the Savoy kings, is a 17th-century country house belonging
to a branch of the Doria family, where we will be received for lunch.
The villa is surrounded by a romantic park designed by the Prussian gardener
to the Savoy court in the early 19th century. In addition, we are hoping
to visit several spectacular private gardens in the countryside around
Turin. We will also be received for lunch at the family-owned castle of
San Martino Alfieri, at the centre of a wine estate.
On the final day we plan to visit the imposing Sacra
di San Michele, a Benedictine abbey dating from the 10th century
and to see the process of restoration of the vast Baroque palace of Venaria
Reale, summer residence of the Savoy court, said to have been
the model for Versailles. The extensive gardens, restored to their former
glory after decades of neglect, were re-opened in June 2007.
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PRICE
l £1,620
The cost includes accommodation in a first-class hotel in Turin (4 nights);
economy class air travel London (Gatwick) / Turin / London (Gatwick) by
scheduled services; ground transport by private coach; all meals except
two dinners; guides; taxes; entrance fees and the services of a lecturer
and a tour organiser.
Price without flights £1,480
l Single room supplement
£230
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