February 2026. Turin. I always say, in a confident way that brooks no argument, that you need to visit a place at least half a dozen times to get the measure of it. And that applies whether it’s Tamworth, Toddington or Turin. I wouldn’t wish six trips to Totnes on my worst enemy, mind. Three… Continue reading THE LAVAZZA MUSEUM
Author: retiredmartin
Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.
“McDonalds finally found us, and we’re folklore in Turin”
February 2026. Turin. We woke up on that first morning in Turin feeling a bit like this; I felt sorry (not sorry) for Mrs RM, who had gone pint, pint, half litre of white wine, pint of Leffe. Luckily I Reali Bed & (sort of) Breakfast had a coffee machine, but even after five espressos… Continue reading “McDonalds finally found us, and we’re folklore in Turin”
TURIN – SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
February 2026. Turin. In 1985 the New Musical Express gave a legendary review of The Jesus & Mary Chain, berating them for no longer having the energy to play the twenty minute sets, slipping into the “rockism” of hour long shows with encores. Similarly with blogging, it’s harder (for me, anyway) to write concise posts… Continue reading TURIN – SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
HAPPY HOUR AT TURIN’S JUMPING JESTER
February 2026. Turin. You left us in M** Bun at 6pm after a very late lunch, largely liquid, and it was time for an early night back at I Reali and a catch up on our respective blogs. But central Turin on a Friday night was just about to liven up, and Mrs RM insisted,… Continue reading HAPPY HOUR AT TURIN’S JUMPING JESTER
M** BUN, SLOW FAST FOOD IN TURIN
February 2026. Turin. Two hours and two pints into Turin, with the sudden realisation we hadn’t eaten since sharing a croissant in Monaco that morning. The disappointment in finding the city’s highest rating brewery/skatepark/burger bar didn’t start flipping till 6pm on a Friday was palpable, but luckily Google recommended the small chain of M** Bun*,… Continue reading M** BUN, SLOW FAST FOOD IN TURIN
HAND PUMPS IN TURIN
February 2026. Turin. You’ll be wanting to see Mrs RM’s tourist map for Turin, the highlights marked with chocolate bars. Our first target after checking at I Reali guesthouse was food. What’s more authentically Torino than an artisan burger at a brew pub with cask near a skate park ? Open Baladin is the BrewDog… Continue reading HAND PUMPS IN TURIN
MONACO, VENTIMIGLIA, TURIN
February 2026. Monaco to Turin. If you’re missing the English pub reports here’s a spoiler. The first half dozen pints back in Old Blighty are….Beartown, Holt, Tiny Rebel, Harrogate, Thornbridge Jaipur and Abbeydale. And not a duffer in the six. But first, coffee and croissants in Monte Carlo station, cheaper than Pumpkin in Sheffield, and… Continue reading MONACO, VENTIMIGLIA, TURIN
A PINT IN MONACO OLD TOWN
February 2026. Monaco. One night in Monaco, as Murray Head nearly sang; one day is plenty, but not more than enough. I really enjoyed the principality, but you can walk from shops to casinos to the Old Town in half an hour, though you’ll appreciate those evcr-present free elevators on the walk back. We left… Continue reading A PINT IN MONACO OLD TOWN
CASINO NO-ALE
February 2026. Monte Carlo. Monaco. Apart from the fast cars on small roads, you’ll know Monaco best for the curry caffs casinos, where we headed now from the shops. You’ll know you’ve reached the gambling quarter when you see the posh cars on display in a big square. Sadly, my Toyota Aygo was nowhere to… Continue reading CASINO NO-ALE
“I moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo”
February 2026. Monte Carlo. Monaco. Yes, yet another reference for Charlene’s classic, the Harlow in the lyrics sadly not the Essex town. The campaign for her to headline Glastonbury starts here. Dumping our bags at the Aparthotel on the French/Monaco border (Mrs RM is claiming it as a night in the principality), we set off… Continue reading “I moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo”
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