Turin is a medium sized city about 140 kilometers to the west of Milan in Italy. Most known for the “Turin Shroud“, International headquarters for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and home Juventus F.C.
Le Carte
Apéritifs:
An apéritif is usually served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.
Digestifs:
A digestif is served after a meal, to aid digestion.
Why Turin?
Simple, UEFA Champions League semi final Real Madrid vs. Juventus. Or Real vs. Juve for those more in speak with the Euro football culture. Turin is not far from Milan, about 1 hour by high speed rail, but in Turin,. There are not too any hotel choices or much to do, so the idea is to fly in and out of Milan and spend most of my 4 day weekend there. Fly in on Saturday fly home Wednesday morning after the match. Spend the last night in Turin and arrive in time to check in, eat, and go to the Allianz stadium. Juve has only lost in this stadium 7 times since it first opened in 2011.
I just started watching the English Premier League, usually a match every morning with my breakfast and work out. A good friend of mine, the Mind Doctor, said he would get the tickets for the match if I would meet him there. A once-in-a- lifetime opportunity, or not, or maybe. Let’s see what happens.
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Tickets
On something like this, I cashed in some American Express reward points. I have only 3 weeks before I leave and flight costs are not at a bargain. The point purchase through Delta wasn’t bad so, 110,000 points later and I have my round trip ticket. Should have been 80k miles but I signed up for comfort plus. With the quick international trip, I really needed to get some sleep on the plain.
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Hotels
Normally it is easier to find a hotel, but when the Mind Doctor insisted he veto every choice I suggested, it got difficult. After back and forth’s about location and updated facilities, he insisted I call every hotel we were considering and badger the front desk to be honest if their hotel was shit or not. We finally agreed on a hotel about 2 miles from the Duomo and major shopping area. The hotel appeared to be clean, pleasant, and updated. It lacked an International Brand name to gauge it by, but cost more than the Hilton and less than the Four Seasons.
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Preparations
I am into an all black thing while traveling, a way to be stylish but not conspicuous. My goal on this trip is to find the perfect travel pants for the international flight. With a much longer trip to Beirut later in the year, I have plenty of time for trial and error. Something that looks good but I could also sleep in. Found, what I thought would work and ordered Zenrobe black fit bottoms. Thinking they looked kind of like denim sweats I was hoping for something a little more stretchy but I figure I would give these a go. Searched my closet for a pair of G-Star Motac-O Dc 3D Super Slim Jeans a few black t-shirts, long sleeve a pullover, zip-up hoodie, and a black waxed G-star black jacket.
I have been debating over buying a pair of Golden Goose Super Stars but the expense and the worn out style were both huge obstacles. I figured being in Italy, maybe I should have some Italian sneakers. Plus, the rest of my dress would be new clean and solid black. I went with a faded all black pair of Super Stars that were tone on tone. You had to look close to tell that they were Golden Goose. Subtle, just my style. Have it but don’t flaunt it. Traveling light and for only 4 days I’m keeping my wardrobe to a minimum. No checked bags no extra space.