Car Hire: Take advantage of the special easyJet inflight rates. Visit the Europcar desk on arrival or call +39 (0)11 567 8048. Open from 8am-11.30pm seven days a week.

Airport Transfer: Pre-book your door-to-door transfer online with easyJet's transfer partner A-T-S, which operates a private taxi service from the airport to Turin centre and major destinations.

Train: The station is a 150-metre walk from the airport. Trains to Dora station run every half hour from 6.49am-9.19pm.

Taxi: A taxi to the city costs €35-€40. The journey takes about half an hour.

Bus: Buses leave every half hour from 6.30am-11.30pm. The journey takes about 40 minutes.

Burger Time
( 6 Via Giovanni Amendola. Tel. 011 562 1912 )
Before the international fast-food and burger chains arrived in Italy, this was the only place to get an hamburger with fries. It's still independent—and many say still the best.

L'Aglio
( 18A Via Curtatone. Tel. 011 6604 563 )
Garlic is very popular around here—so much so, that they named the restaurant after it! Placed in a sort of cantina, at the foot of the hills, it's a traditional trattoria with simple, organic food.

Acqua e Sale
( 12B Via San Domenico. Tel. 011 521 4452 )
In the heart of trendy Quadrilatero Romano, seafood reigns supreme at this intimate restaurant. Gourmet sauces, original side dishes and wines from the rich cellar make the perfect accompaniments.

Al Gufo Bianco
( 129 Corso Dante. Tel. 011 650 5431 )
Near the River Po, this restaurant serves Piedmontese cuisine at its finest. Among the specialities, you can try roasted meat, bollito (a stew made with vegetables and meat), succulent steaks and tender rack of lamb.

Caffè Ventuno
( 21 Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Tel. 011 812 2209 )
When the controversial drink absinthe arrived in Turin, this was the bar that dared to serve it. Within walking distance of Murazzi, it's a good place for an apéritif.

United Club
( 33 Corso Vigevano. Tel. 011 2359 816 )
Worth the trip for a selection of the best punk, hardcore and rock bands—often from France and Holland—in the city.

Frieda's Pub
( 14 Via Gioacchino Rossini. Tel. 011 817 1601 )
A short walk from Mole Antonelliana, this English-style pub is open until late. With red carpets and wooden tables, it's the perfect spot to get a drink to fight the winter chill.

Stratta is the place to stock up on delicious Italian chocolates and sweets. Recent visitor Saudi Prince Khalid Al-Waleed is a fan (121 Piazza San Carlo. Tel. 011 547 920).

In the second week of January, the city's big sales begin. The best bargains are found in the stylish boutiques on Via Roma, Via Giovanni Amendola, Via Luigi Lagrange and Piazza San Carlo.

Head to the area near Palazzo Carignano—home of the first Italin Parliament—for some fun things to see and do. Carignano Theatre is the oldest in town, Del Cambio is the most exclusive restaurant in the city, and Gelateria Pepino, the first ice-cream bar, is a local institution.

The Triennial International Contemporary Art Exhibition, organised by the Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art (1 Piazza Mafalda di Savoia), Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo (16 Via Modane) and Promotrice Belle Arti (11 Viale Balsamo Crivelli), showcases experimental works by young artists from around the world (until 18 January).

Bardonecchia – At one end of Val Susa Valley, this modern ski resort has a good mix of slopes. For beginners, Campo Smith is the place to go, while Colomion and Melezet are better for more advanced skiers. Snowboarders shouldn't miss out on the 2006 Winter Games giant slalom piste. Just over an hour away from Turin.

Capanna Regina Margherita, at the Gnifetti summit of Monte Rosa, is Europe's highest mountain hut at 4,554 metres.

Compiled by Elena Pietrovichillo