The magic of Christmas, the end of a year, the beginning of a new one and the arrival of Epiphany… all these make December special. So why not make it even more special by discovering Christmas activities and wonders around Cascina 6b?
To start, I’d like to tell you about the event Natale è Reale (Christmas is Real) held within the royal stables of the magical Palazzina di Caccia of Stupinigi. This is a perfect example of combining the useful with delightful: visiting the Palazzina di Caccia during the Christmas period allows not only to explore the fantastic Elf Village, which features workshops, animated games, circus activities and none other than Santa Claus, but also to visit the beautiful Palazzina with all its permanent furnishings and temporary exhibitions.
Today, I want to introduce you to Gran Balon, the famous and historic market for antiques, vintage items, and collecting that takes place every second Sunday of the month in the historic center of Turin.
The origins of Gran Balon date back to 1985 when it was created to promote the Borgo Dora neighborhood and to boost the local commerce. Initially, the idea was to create a second-hand and antiques market that could attract both locals and tourists, offering an alternative to traditional markets and Borgo Dora itself proved to be the perfect location for such an event.
Over the years, Gran Balon has grown in size and popularity, becoming a regular event for collectors, antiquarians and curious visitors. Today, the market covers a large area, spreading across Via Lanino, Via Mameli, Canale Carpanini, Cortile del Maglio and Borgo Dora, counting hundreds of exhibitors.
What will you find among the various stalls? Here, you can discover a wide range of items: antique furniture, vintage objects, books, prints, retro clothing, jewelry, antique toys and much more. Each corner of Gran Balon tells a different story and is the perfect place to find unique and rare pieces!
Walking among the stalls, you’ll immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere rich in history, thanks especially to the exhibitors who, with their passion and knowledge, will help you uncover curiosities and anecdotes about the items for sale and , who knows, you might even find a small treasure to take home, thus giving it a new life.
And after exploring among the stalls, I recommend spending some time visiting the Borgo Dora neighborhood and Porta Palazzo to immerse yourself in a historic area of Turin less known by tourists, but which has its charm, including cozy cafes and traditional restaurants.
So, whether you’re looking for rare books, clothing, vintage accessories, objects, furnishing or just a dive into the past, the Gran Balon is the perfect place to spend a Sunday.
By car: reachable in about 25 minutes by car. There is a multi-storey parking lot near Porta Palazzo where you can leave your car.
Public transports: reachable in about 1h 10m. Take the train from San Maurizio C.se station towards Venaria Reale Station. From there, walk to the “Stazione Venaria” stop and take bus 11 to the “Borgo Dora” stop. The market is just a few meters away.
During these summer Sundays, it’s truly a pleasure to escape from the sultry heat and perhaps take refuge under the branches of some trees, while enjoying a breathtaking view.
Just 60 km from Cascina 6b, in the Viù Valley, lies Malciaussia Lake, a scenic and clear body of water that radiates peace and tranquility from the very first glance.
The lake is accessible by car only during the summer season, as snow blocks access in the winter. During the summer period, only on holidays, the access to the Malciaussia lake parking lot is limited with a toll to keep the influx of visitors under control.
From the lake, you can admire the Mount Lera, Rocciamelone, and Autaret Hill reflected in its crystal-clear waters.
Today I want to tell you about a truly special place. Just 50 minutes by car from Cascina 6b, nestled in the greenery, there is a small village called Vonzo, located in the Chialamberto fraction in the province of Turin, made up of stone houses and lots of traditions.
As soon as you arrive in this place, the perceived sensation is that of leaving the chaos of the city to enter an atmosphere of other times, characterized by small stone streets that can only be explored on foot, by houses with embroidered curtains on the windows and doors that are always open, from little dogs of the local gentlemen with bandanas that read “even if I pretend otherwise, I have already eaten”, from the noise of the fountains of rushing fresh water, from the smell of coffee and freshly cut grass.
If you feel the need to get away from the city and want to take a nice walk in nature, a trip to Lake Ceresole is just what you need; an artificial Lake that is part of the complex of six dams built in the Orco’s drainage basin (Agnel Lake, Serrù Lake, Ceresole Lake, Lake Teleccio, Lake Valsoera, and Lake Eugio) that power several hydroelectric plants.
Once reached the lake, there are numerous services available: you can have a picnic in the rest areas with toilets provided by the Municipality of Ceresole Reale, or have a seated lunch with a lake view at the Chalet of the Lake, where you can enjoy excellent polenta with stew and various typical products of Piedmontese cuisine; take a long and scenic relaxing walk along the lake; cross the artificial dam built at the beginning of the 20th century while observing the movement of the 34 million cubic meters of water coming from the Orco River, which varies as the hours pass; and for the more adventurous, hike the trails leading to the surrounding mountains.
Just 15 km from Cascina 6b there is a little Versailles: the Royal Residence of Venaria, an ancient and glorious Savoy residence located in the heart of Venaria Reale, in the province of Turin. Commissioned in the late 1600s by Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoy, it was designed to serve as a base for hunting in the hilly moorland of Turin.
The site offers various services: a long stroll through the English gardens, characterized by vast green lawns interspersed with pathways, benches and fountains; the visit to the Savoy royal apartments for a dive into the history among utensils, furnishings and rich tapestries; as well as the viewing of both temporary and permanent exhibitions that feature works by contemporary and non contemporary artists.
Today, I want to take you to the town of Rocca Canavese, a starting point for various trekking and MTB routes, which lead to the Madonna della Neve Chapel, the Bandit Chapel, the Val Mill and finally to Audi Plan.
Because of the pandemic, the days before Christmas are sad and melancholy. The Christmas atmosphere struggles to enter homes. These are days in which everyone does not easily abandon oneself to light-heartedness and is reluctant to get carried away by the typical holiday frenzy. In this particular moment we are detached and above all disinterested in what is happening around us, but sometimes little things can warm the heart. A few days ago I was walking in the center of Turin, one of the first days when the cold of winter was beginning to make itself felt. In the air you could feel the snow that was about to arrive and the people around me walked with their heads down, each immersed in their own thoughts. And then something happened. All of a sudden, the Luci d’Artista (Artist’s Lights) of the city turned on and I noticed that the same people, who a few seconds before were distracted, raised their heads for a second attracted by those bright colors.
For some reason every time I stroll around the city of Turin I always feel a bit like a tourist. It could be my unconscious country personality and poor sense of direction, or the influence of my sister who, with no small effort, has transmitted me the attention to architectural detail, but every time I find myself walking around the city, I always end up noticing something new.
When I have to take a trip, whether for pleasure or business, of short or long duration, the first thing that comes to mind is to check the position of the place where I will be staying and the services it has to offer.
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