Torino 2006 Winter Olympics: A Perfect Vacation Destination

The majestic Italian Alps form the backdrop for the 2006 Winter Olympics being held in and around Turin, Italy, between February 10th and February 26th. It is a perfect vacation destination! The games will be spread throughout seven competition sites in the Piemonte, or Piedmont, region of Italy, which is in the northeast corner of the country near the French border. Some 2,500 athletes from 85 countries will compete in seven sports and 15 disciplines at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

The opening and closing ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympics will be held in the city of Turin, or Turino in Italian. Speedskating, ice hockey, and figure skating competitions will also take place in Turino. Snowboarding events will be held in Bardonecchia. Cesana will host the biathlon, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, and alpine skiing competitions. Other 2006 Winter Olympic competition locations include: Pinerolo (curling), Pragelato (Nordic combined skiing, ski jumping, cross-country skiing), Sauze d’Oulx (freestyle skiing) and Sestriere (alpine skiing).

All of the Olympic venues, which are spread out across the Susa Valley, are within approximately 100 kilometers or 65 miles of each other. They are easy to access by train from Torino. The “Dorsale” (a free 50 seater bus) will also run every day between the various Olympic mountain venues from January 30th to February 27th. Each city and town has its own unique charm, as well as a variety of nightlife experiences at the various clubs and pubs.

You’ll be captivated by the magnificent scenery surrounding the 2006 Winter Olympics, but you’ll also find some of the best food in Italy in the Piemonte region of the country. The area is well known for its famous wines such as Barolo, Barbera, and Barbaresco, as well as delicious cheeses, and chocolate. You’ll also find yummy pastries such as nutty torrone, ‘amaretti’ and ‘paste di meliga’ in the small cake shops in the Piemonte region. Regional Piedmontese culinary specialties include deer, wild boar stew, and rabbit.

Venues for the 20th Winter Olympic Games

Turino

Torino is the venue for speedskating, ice hockey, and figure skating competitions.

The city of Turino itself is known as the “Paris of Italy” due to its broad tree-lined boulevards flanked by attractive townhouses. You’ll find charming Baroque cafes, elegant coffee houses, arcaded shopping promenades, and museums housed in classical architecture mingled with more modern buildings in Turino. The city is known for the famous Shroud of Turin, one of the most holy relics of the Christian faith. Turnio is the home of Fiat auto plants and is also the location of the second most important Egyptian Museum in the world, after Cairo. The world class collection of art and artifacts at the Museo Egizio include the statues of Ramses II and Amenhotep II. International car aficionados will enjoy the Museo dell’Automobile which has a collection of Fiats and other classic cars on display.

Other must see attractions in Turino include the Piazza San Carlo – the main square where you can take a stroll while you admire the 17th century architecture, or sit at one of the outdoor cafes and people-watch. You also won’t want to miss seeing the Castello Ducale di Aglie. The former castle dates back to the Middle Ages and is surrounded by a large park with a monumental fountain.

The opening and closing ceremonies for the 20th Winter Olympics will be held at the Stadio Olimpico in Torino and both will be a visual extravaganza. During the opening ceremony, the last torchbearer will arrive in the stadium and the great Olympic Cauldron will be lit. The athletes will parade in with their flags and colours against a background of unique stage designs, mass choreographies, and a memorable sound track. Nearly 5,000 performers will take part in the mass choreographies as dancers, actors, gymnasts, acrobats and musicians.

Another spectacular show will end the 2006 Winter Olympic Games at Torino. The main theme will be Carnevale. It will be a grand party filled with acrobatics, juggling, and rituals spiced with the fantasy of the circus and the Commedia dell’Arte, or “comedy of professional artists.” The world famous tenor Andrea Bocelli will enhance the grand finale of the 2006 Winter Olympics with his powerful, melodic voice.

Bardonecchia

Bardonecchia is the snowboarding venue for the 20th Winter Olympics.

Bardonecchia is a resort town with many worthwhile attractions in addition to the usual assortment of hotels, bars, and restaurants. There are a number of beautiful old churches. One of the most interesting is the Parish Church of Sant’ Ippolito which houses beautiful works of gothic and baroque art, and a baptismal font that dates back to 1573. Other churches in the vicinity, such as Rochemolles, Melezet, Les Arnauds and Millaures, also house a number of precious frescoes.

The Fort of Bramafam is another local attraction worth visiting. The fortress was built in the 1800s to defend the entrance to the railway tunnel, but still retains a small portion of the central tower and foundation of the ancient Tour d’Amount castle. Bardonecchia also has a small town museum.

Cesana

Cesana will host the 2006 Winter Olympics biathlon, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, and alpine skiing competitions.

Ski lifts connect Cesana to other Alpine villages. Cesana is located at the base of the Chaberton Mountain. The “Batteria di Torri” (tower battery) was built in 1898 and dominates the peak of the Chaberton which is located at an altitude of 10, 270 feet. It is said to be the highest fortress in Europe. Another historic site in the village is the gothic S. Giuliano parish church which was erected in 1490. Ruins in the nearby area date back to 200 BC.

A huge traveling market visits Cesana on Tuesdays after leaving Sauze d’Oulx on its way to Claviere. You’ll find fruits, vegetables, clothing, household products and just about anything else you can imagine on the market tables set up on Viale Bouvier.

Pinerolo

The curling venue for the Winter Olympic Games is Pinerolo.

Pinerolo is an agricultural and industrial center with a population of around 35 thousand people. Historically, Pinerolo was a strongly fortified citadel that was acquired by the house of Savoy in the 13th century, but was held by the French from 1536 to 1814. The fortress became a French state prison where the “Man in the Iron Mask” was held for some years after his capture in 1679.

Other interesting sites to visit in and around Pinerolo include the Palazzo dei Principi d’Acaia, a 14th century palace that was once home to a branch of the Savoy family who ruled the city. The Cavalry museum in the former Principe Amedeo barracks, the Town Art Collection in Palazzo Vittone, the Museum of Prehistoric Art, and the Ethnographic (folklore) Museum are other attractions in Pinerolo.

Pragelato

Pragelato will host the Nordic combined skiing, ski jumping, and cross-country skiing competitions for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Preglatto borders Parco Naturale Val Troncea, an Italian national park with a mix of forests, engaging trails, alpine meadows, lakes, architectural ruins, and lofty peaks. The 18 hamlets surrounding Pragelato are equally captivating.

Attractions in Preglatto include the Parish Church, dedicated to the Assumption of Vergine Maria, which was built under Luigi XIV. The Museum of the Costume and the Traditions of Alpine People is also an interesting and educational attraction in Preglatto.

Sauze d’Oulx

Freestyle skiing competition for the 2006 Winter Olympics will be held in Sestriere.

If you plan to visit Sauze d’Oulx during the 2006 Winter Olympics, there are a couple of attractions that you won’t want to miss. One in particular is the extraordinary Forte di Fenestrelle. It is the largest fort in Europe. Fenestrelle, the so-called great Wall of the Alps, is an enormous structure that includes three fortresses, seven secondary fortifications and five drawbridges, joined by a massive staircase with 4000 steps leading up the mountain. The Fort of Fenestrelle took 122 years to complete after construction began in 1728. The fort houses a museum, several chapels, and examples of weaponry. Live theater productions take place on the grounds in the summertime.

Another attraction is Sauze d’Oulx’s Church of St. John the Baptist which was built in 1532 with donations from people in the community. It is a national monument. The city also has a sport center and a rifle range.

Sestriere

Sestriere will be the 2006 Winter Olympics venue for alpine skiing competition.

Sestriere was built in 1934 by Italy’s prestigious Agnelli family, the name associated with the Fiat car company. It was Europe’s first purpose-built ski resort.

Sestriere has a number of clubs and pubs that serve up a great nightlife. Another pastime in Sestriere is sampling the cuisine. Local specialties include polenta, Alpine cheese and a wonderful bagna cauda, or “warm sauce” for dipping. Eateries range from pizzerias to elegant restaurants.

Other attractions in Sestriere include a multitude of shops, an outdoor ice skating rink, and a spa. The fitness center offers massages, a steam room, racket ball, bodybuilding, and step and aerobic classes. There is also a Sports Hall where you can play table tennis, volleyball, basketball and badminton, and test your skill on a climbing wall. There is also plenty of Italian charm and history to be found in the small mountain villages surrounding Sestriere.

Other Piemonte Towns and Attractions

If you have not yet booked a hotel room in Turino or one of the other cities or ski resorts where the 2006 Winter Olympic Games are being held, you may be out of luck. But you should still be able to find a place to stay in other intriguing tourist towns in the Piemonte region like Alba (known for its truffles) and Asti (known for its sparking wine). You might also be able to make a reservation for lodging at a Bed & Breakfast in the town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore.

Alba

You will find the best of Old World culture and its timeless beauty when you visit Alba, which is known as the city of 100 towers because of its spectacular turreted skyline. The area is brimming with history and art. Alba was originally founded by the Romans. The city’s historic center today sits inside the ancient Roman walls. Alba is home to a multitude of churches, castles, and medieval houses.

Alba is perhaps best been known for its exotic truffles and elegant wines. Truffles are a type of edible fungi, similar to mushrooms, which grow underground near the roots of oak and hazelnut trees. The renowned odorous white truffles of the region are valued as a delicacy and command a high price – at times as much as $2,000 per pound, which equals approximately âÂ?¬1,500 Euros. Raw truffles are shaved paper-thin over pasta dressed with butter and sprinkled with cheese, as well as egg dishes and other foods.

Alba is also the home of Italy’s premier chocolate company, Ferrero. The confectionary company makes Tic Tac mints, in addition to Rochers and Nutella.

Asti

Asti is a quiet little town off the beaten track of tourists so you’ll find a sense of tradition and community in the city. Historical sites to visit in Asti include a Gothic cathedral of the 14th century, the ruins of a Christian basilica of the 6th century, and the remains of the city’s fortress walls. Visitors will also discover museums, antique shops, and embattled towers on the ancient streets of Asti. An imposing, elegant Baroque palace can be seen when walking west on the main street of Corso Alfieri. It was the home of the Alfieri counts, from whom the poet Vittorio Alfieri was descended.

Asti is perhaps best known for the bubbly, sweet Asti Spumante wine which is produced in the area. The economy of Asti is mostly based on wine, fruit, vegetables and meat, as well as textile and engineering industries.

Stresa

If you choose to stay in Stresa, make sure you make enough time to pay a visit to the beautiful Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore. One of those, the Isola Bella, is famous for its baroque palace and terraced gardens which were built by Count Vitaliano Borromeo in 1670. The palatial villa is richly decorated with frescoes, paintings by great masters, tapestries and crystal chandeliers.

Piemonte Weather

The average temperature in the Piemonte region of Italy varies in February, but it usually ranges somewhere between -8.9Ã?°C/16Ã?°F at night and 6.2Ã?°C/ 43Ã?°F during the day time depending on exactly where you are. So you’ll want to make sure that you take warm clothing, snow boots and heavy coats or jackets on your trip.