Torino Saturday 10 May, Day 17

A long day travelling today. After breakfast in the lovely courtyard of the hotel we headed off to join the rugby scrum at the Nice Ville railway station. We caught the French SCNF train to Ventmille, which is magically the same place as Ventimiglia, the start of the Italian train system. The train passes through Monaco as it winds along the Mediterranean coast.  The equivalent of the GNP of a fair few nations floating just off that shore line, not to speak of the real estate.

From Ventimiglia the next leg off our journey took us to Genoa, a quick stop long enough to buy some supplies then onto the last leg to Torino.  I like train travel - a bit like cycling in that it gives a good sense of the landscape and the geography - and a lot less tiring.

But we were still troppo stanco when we got here. The good news is that being Italy the Giro d'Italia is broadcast live, and we are in the right time zone, so we chilled out watching the poor riders slog through the Irish rain, and trying to glean something from the rapid fire Italian commentary.  Can't imagine what having the Giro start in Ireland will do for Irish tourism though - put it back 10 years I'd reckon.

Torino has a nice vibe, and a lot less touristy than Nice for example. We had dinner in a very self respecting restaurant with lovely food then went for a stroll round some of the streets.  A lot of the streets are a narrow with tall buildings right on the street - not a pretty city and the parking is a killer - I am glad I am not driving or looking for a parking spot here.

Tomorrow hopefully we will wake up full of energy and head off to explore some of the city's museums.