Turin is highly underrated. Despite some fleeting fame as a hosting city for the Olympics, most people never think about it, let alone visit. Truth be told, it was a toss-up between Bologna and Turin last weekend, but as the tickets were slightly cheaper to go to Turin, this is where I happily ended up.

Arcades, arcades, arcades. Arcades that snake along the perimeter of nearly every city block in the historic center, allowing pedestrians to amble along for miles sheltered from the elements. A backdrop of the Alps and the rushing river Po complete this city, crystallizing my childhood image of what it means to be “Continental.” A little bit of Vienna, a little bit of Paris, and the soul of Northern Italy, Turin embodies it all. Churches, relics, elegant cafes, hazelnut chocolates, shoes. And not a tourist in sight. Cheese, pasta, wine, museums, castle, gelati, coffee, aperitivo.

Fresh mountain air, Tuscan sunshine.