Buon Natale! Merry Christmas!

You all haven't even woken up yet, here I am dressed and ready to go, not sure where to go. The shops are closed today, altho the Palazzo Madama has re-opened and we will check it out today for sure. This is a very special occasion, the place has been closed for restoration for years and they have opened to the public for the first time beginning on Friday, in preparation for the Olympics. It will become the seat of the International Olympic Committee as of January 16th. http://www.palazzomadamatorino.it/#
Our initial plan was to take in the shops along via Roma http://www.torino-viaroma.com/index.asp?IDCAT=54&lang=L1 on the way to the Palazzo Madama, but since it is Xmas they will be closed. Tomorrow is St. Stephens Day (more important than Xmas I gather) so the shops may open in the afternoon after 3 PM but the front desk wasn't sure on that either.

I suspect we will be taking cabs again today. We don't think the tobacchinists are open, which is basically the only place you can buy bus tix. Probably on a weird schedule anyway. Not really an excuse, and it costs a lot more, but it sure makes it easier.

Okay it's 11 AM. We had the most wonderful breakfast here included in our hotel rate. There is a machine where you drop an orange in and out comes orange juice. I drank two oranges, had eggs and meat, a croissant, caffe with hot milk, cereal, fruit, and a piece of some sort of cake. Sounds like a lot of food, but you only take small bits of each to try everything and not look like an American pig.

According to the Tourismo Torino web site it is 1 degree C out. That's like 34 degrees or something. Brrr! The picture is the view from our room. Can't see the snowy mountains yet. It got sunny yesterday afternoon. I still think I am going to put on a heavier shirt before heading out...

Check this out - I just found webcams for all over Torino. I was trying to find a link about the Piazza dell Republicca, the outdoor market we went to yesterday.
Webcams: http://www.comune.torino.it/telecamera/

Have a wonderful Xmas day with your family and friends!