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Sestriere. A prime ski resort built in the 1930s by Gianni Agnelli. In 2006, it hosted the ski events of the Winter Olympics. Less than one hour west of Turin, it is a friendly yet fashionable ski resort that has had all its facilities and lifts upgraded for the Olympics. Contact the tourist board for information and a map of "The Milky Way," a network of ski lifts and runs that straddles the Italian/French border. It is possible to ski to France and arrange for a bus to drive you back to Italy.
To Alba. Alba is a one-hour's drive south of Turin. It is the white-truffle capital of the world and the center of a wine region known for producing both the king and queen of wines: Barolo and Barbaresco. This region is called the Langhe, and it is developing a reputation as the new Tuscany because of its vineyard-covered hills and fortified hilltop towns. The people are friendly, and the wine prices still reasonable. The Langhe boasts more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other region in Italy.
To Stupinigi. This large palace was the favorite hunting lodge of the Savoy dynasty. The grand building was designed by Filippo Juvarra and so were the residences on both sides of the road approaching the palace. Stupinigi was once the residence of Paulina Bonaparte and Camillo Borghese. The interior decor follows a hunting theme with many representations of wildlife, especially deer. There are some interesting paintings, but the ballroom, with its immense crystal chandelier, is definitely worth a visit.
