Best things to do in Bra

Castello di Grinzane Cavour is known for its history, wine, and restaurant. Take a tour and learn about the history of the castle, as well as local wine making. The tour includes a video and an audio guide (available in English). Explore the castle rooms, many of which house a permanent museum with displays showing 17th- and 19th-century kitchen settings, truffles, a 16th-century distillery, a cask maker’s workshop, and rural life. Stop in and see the Hall of Masks, with a decorated ceiling of 157 panels, containing coats of arms, as well as animals and allegory images made to celebrate the marriage of a past owner of the castle. The restaurant and wine shop are widely known, so make reservations far in advance.

Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi was erected as a royal hunting lodge for the House of Savoy in what is now a suburb of Turin. Filippo Juvarra redecorated the palace interior in the 18th century for the King of Sardinia. Juvarra brought many of his designers from Venice to complete the 137 rooms and 17 galleries, which took years. The hunting grounds surrounding the palace have been reclaimed as a nature preserve. In this lowland forest, native plant species thrive that have died off elsewhere. Footpaths wind through the 18 km (11 mi) of land.

Set among Piedmont's hills, WiMu - Museo del Vino a Barolo reveals the history of the region's wine-making industry. Explore the museum's grounds within a historic castle. Join a guided tour to learn about wine's place in myth, legend, literature, and more as you descend through the fortress. Afterward, savor a glass of a local specialty or take part in a tasting session.

One of the residences of the Royal House of Savoy, Castello di Racconigi attracts visitors with its magnificent landscaped park and palace. André Le Notre, designer of one of the Versailles' gardens, had a hand in the garden on the castle's north side. Along the small manmade lake, you'll see the English garden influence, complete with small structures reminiscent of the English countryside, such as a Gothic-style chapel, and a Doric temple. The last Russian czar, Nicolas II, is honored with a Russian dacha, or summer home, on the grounds. For a small fee, you can explore the castle's Neoclassic interior. Reliefs and murals depict the feats of mythological characters and glorify the surroundings.

Renowned as the biggest alpine fortification in Europe, Forte di Fenestrelle dominates the hills above Fenestrelle. Often nicknamed "The Great Wall of the Alps," this giant fortress occupies 130 hectares (320 acres) of land. Built by the House of Savoy in the late 17th century, this fortress sat at a strategic point by the French border at a time when Europe was aflame with wars of nation-building. The complex includes three major forts, ramparts, batteries, barracks, powder magazines, warehouses, kitchens, a governor's mansion, a parade ground, and a church. Due to pillaging over time, the fortress is now in a state of preservation and reconstruction: your entry fees will help with this process.

More than a zoo, Zoom Torino teams up tour groups with biologists and wildlife experts who walk them through the animal's habitats. The energetic, crowd-pleasing lemurs roam free in an environment designed to mimic their Madagascar home. They share the space with pelicans, flamingos, and giant tortoises. Visit the African habitat and participate in the feeding of an African species of penguins. Travel to the Serengeti to meet more exotic animals. Call ahead to ask about English-speaking guides.