Ipanema and beyond

A view of Ipanema from across the Lagoa. 

During this past two weeks, Camillo and I have been in Rio, Lisbon and Torino.  Here is a sample of each skyline.

Historic center of Lisbon – a view of the castle from the old city.

Rooftop of Torino viewed from the Palazzo Reale.

The last night in Turin,

Tomorrow we leave for Alba and the Tartuffe (truffles) festival; the highlight of this trip.  Camillo’s sister ask us over two years ago to meet her in Italy for this festival, and then backed out once we got into the idea.  We are both sorry she won’t make it.  The idea of trying many recipes of food and pasta with truffles, and the local wines that are made to accompany the food is of real interest for us. 

Our six days in Torino (Turin) have been fun.  Our hotel is inside the historic center, within easy walking to many sites.  In fact, the map of this area has 58 buildings to see listed and 92 sites of artistic and cultural interest.  (there may be overlaps)  Most of these are palaces (Palazzos) from when the Savoy kings and their courts were housed here.  Torino being the first capital of the unified Italy before Florence then Rome.  Over a three hundred year period, the city went from a remote military outpost to one of the most sophisticated cities in Europe.  (1560 – 1860s)

  

We’ve spent many hours walking, browsing, gazing, photographing and, of course, eating.  I have 3 pair of comfortable shoes with me, a pair of tennis, one pair of boots and one pair very comfortable sandals.  Over the six days, I rotated through the shoes, going out in the morning around 10 and walking until two or three in one pair.  Going back to the hotel for a rest and then going out again around 7 wearing a different pair of shoes.  This works pretty well for keeping the feet (arches) from collapsing.   

The café in the Palazzo Reale -

In the first two days we visited the Palazzo Reale, which is huge; didn’t allow photos and took at least 3 hours to walk through: 

the Palazzo Madama which is a wonderful museum containing furniture, plates and decorative items, and is four stories of history of the Royal period, did allow photos and nearly caused me to drop with exhaustion and gave tremendous joy all at the same time.

 

The Palazzo Madama:

     

  

The Madama had a full room of hand made lace on display.  OMG!

We filled each day, but I will tell of only two more places we really enjoyed.  We took a bus then a trolley (train) up to the Basilica di Superga (the tombs of kings and Queens of the Savoys).  First we got to sit for most of the 40 minute trip both ways, the view of the city is superb, and the Basilica beautiful where it sits upon the hill.

 

And FINAALY : the National Museum of Cinema - the Mole

Mole Antonelliana sede del Museo del Cinema:  This is probably the best known landmark, the most photographed  in Torino.  To tell the truth, I wanted to see the building but wasn’t really interested in the Museum of Cinema.  I was wrong.  What fun.  There are many interactive displays  illustrating the technology of early film and the development of cameras.  Then when you think your feet won’t hold up another minute you, enter a huge room with large screens hanging from the ceiling and lounge chairs with sound coming from in the head rest…. and clips from old movies from the 40’s and 50’s and some 60’s (that we saw anyway in the 40 minutes or so we laid with our feet up) playing on all the screens.  There isn’t a child, of any age, that won’t enjoy this museum.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodnight from Torino.

A Meal to write home about

Finally, one week in Europe and I have a meal to write home about.

Restorante Tre Galline (10122 Torino – Via Bellezia, 37)  [the three chicken restaurant] info@3galline.it 

This restaurant was recommended by the (night) Concierge when ask if he knew a ‘local’ restaurant with typical cosine.  

We shared 3 dishes, in order to taste as many tastes as possible,  and we were impressed that the server did as we ask without complaint.

Ricotta fatta in casa con misticanza di erbe & verdure di stagione

Fresh made Ricotta with a mixture of herbs and greens. This included Bulei (Camillo is not sure of the spelling) mushrooms, steamed small green beans, red cabbage, and very thin sliced zucchini, drizzle of olive oil and salt)

Served with local wine: Nebbiolo

Tagliolini ai funghi porcini

pasta with porcini mushrooms (sounds better in Italian)

served with local wine: Barbera

OMG!

Agnello al forno e Torino di patate, fichi e nocciole

Baked lamb with a ‘Potato Patti’  (this is so wrong – this was whipped potato, maybe twice baked – had a slight crust on top - with small pieces of fig and a nuts.  This was super delicious and I will try to make at home as soon as possible.)

Meringata ai frutti di bosco

Meringue with raspberry  (Inside the meringue was a hard shell of meringue with a raspberry jelly on a light crust.)

A perfect meal.