Turin

The capital of Piedmont, the tranquil city of Turin is particularly famous for a few things: the Turin Shroud, Italian cars, and chocolate. However, the architecture is what really makes this enviably elegant city such a pleasure to explore.

Gilded with prim, tree-lined boulevards and studded with regal Baroque buildings, here it's all about relaxing in decades-old coffee houses, or taking an after-dinner stroll in Piazza Castello, with its trickling fountains and ornate facades. For culture vultures and foodies, Turin is awash with treats: contemporary art, live music, and a sumptuous wining and dining scene all flourish here.