A friend from Turin, Italy, whom I met while studying at a language school in England, kindly invited me to visit her home in Turin while traveling around Europe after a semi-long stay in England. We spent a long time together at the language school, so we had plenty of time to share in classes and activities there.

I would love to see the local life rather than go to famous spots or shopping. That is the most enjoyable on traveling.

Thanks to her, I could enjoy Turin, and it was one of the special memories of my life.

Turin, what a beautiful city

My travel itinerary led me to arrive in Turin on New Year’s Day. For Japanese people, this time of year holds special significance as it is when families gather and celebrate together. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was appropriate for me to visit on such an important day. Despite my concerns, she and her family warmly welcomed me.

As I have heard, Christmas is the most major event in Christian countries. it seems that the arrival of a new year is often regarded as an ordinary holiday.

I reached Turin by train, where she and her father were waiting at the station to pick me up. They then took me to a vantage point where I could behold the city’s breathtaking panorama. It was stunning. I could see the iconic symbol of the city, the Duomo, and the architectural style of the buildings showcased more of a Viennese aristocratic influence rather than the charming and colorful structures found in Central Europe. The rooftops were uniform in their little bit of faded red colour.

Cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice are renowned and their picturesque landscapes are often found in magazines and on TV, making them popular destinations for travelers exploring Italy. Honestly, I knew very little about Turin, the only information I had was it hosted an Olympic.
Actually, Turin is a beautiful city.

During my travel, I could have visited some Italian cities. Each city boasts magnificent historical architecture, including impressive Duomos, and old traditional cityscapes.

I was impressed the most by the way people protected the city and its culture.

Italy, I have a feeling of awe to you.

Pizza, Lasagna, tomato, Mozzarella, Espresso…

Since my friend’s place was located in the middle of a mountain, we drove there by car. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fully enjoy the meal on the first day due to motion sickness.

On the table, there were dishes prepared for New Year’s Day.

One of the traditional dishes for the new year was lentils topped with pork sausages, praying for good luck with money and longevity. It was how lucky I was to be there on such a special day.

There were other dishes on the table, including an assortment of sweets like nougat and dried fruits, which piqued my curiosity as they were unfamiliar to me. They also served typical Italian foods like mozzarella, tomatoes, and various types of ham.

I stayed there for some days. All food they served was fantastic. While I enjoyed every Italian dish I had in Italy, homemade dishes were exceptional. It wasn’t just about the taste; it was the overall experience that was truly priceless. My friend’s dad, who used to work at a pizzeria, cooked pizzas, and her mom made lasagna. After the meals, they served espresso and affogurd.

The table decoration of Italians

Italian food is amazing. And, for me, as an interior lover, the table settings and decoration are fascinating. Inside their home, every decoration caught my curiosity. The clothes such as the tablecloth were often the colour intense red. Is that because they are the tomato country?

What struck me as different from Japan was that each piece of tableware had a beautiful and unique shape and was thoughtfully designed.

The biggest surprise was that my friend and her brother chose a perfect tablecloth. In Japan, choosing decorations is typically reserved for interior enthusiasts, but for them, it was second nature. I thought the sense of decoration and attention to detail is deeply ingrained in their European lifestyles.

I sent this picture to her

They treated me very well. I left their home feeling full and thanked them from the heart.

In this column, I focused on table decoration and food along the picture, but there is so much more I would like to share.

The landscape captured in the picture is the exact view I saw from the window. The mom invited me to the window side to let me see the sight of the mountain at dawn. The family had chosen that location for the scenery. The sky above was already brightening while the lower part of the trees remained slightly dark bathed in warm red.

This beautiful scenery was something I rarely come across, and I’m grateful to have experienced it in Turin.

I looked back at the pictures I took then to write this column. It’s been 5 years already.

Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to them.

Thank you very much.