Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sitting on a promontory of land between two rivers, Cuneo enjoys excellent Alpine
views framed by the high pyramid-shaped peak of Monte Viso (3841m) in the Cottian
Alps.
Sights
The city's Napoleonic avenues give it an almost French air.
Piazza Galimberti
Arriving in Cuneo's gargantuan main piazza, you'd think you just touched down in a cap-
ital city. The outsized square was finished in 1884 and sits aside an older portico-embel-
lished town founded in 1198. Some of the heavier arches date back to the Middle Ages.
PIAZZA
Museo Civico di Cuneo
(Via Santa María 10; admission €2.60; 9am-1pm & 3-5.30pm Tue-Thu, to 7pm Fri & Sat)
Cuneo has
some wonderfully dark and mysterious churches. The oldest is the deconsecrated San
Francisco convent and church, which today hosts this museum tracking the history of the
town and province.
MUSEUM
Activities
To the southwest lie the Maritime Alps, a rugged outdoor adventure playground where
French and Italian influences mix.
Cuneo and reachable by regular trains (€2.50, 40 minutes). Limone has been a ski station
since 1907 and maintains 15 lifts and 80km of runs, including some put aside for Nordic
skiing. The town (population 1600) has numerous hotels and ski-hire shops. See the web-
site for details.
Sleeping
Hotel Royal Superga
( 0171 69 32 23;
www.hotelroyalsuperga.com
;
Via Pascal 3; s/d €86/109; )
For 'Su-
perga' read 'superb'. This appealing old-fashioned hotel, hidden off a corner of Piazza
Galimberti, mixes some regal touches with a raft of complimentary items. Bank on free
wi-fi, free DVDs to watch in your room, interesting books to peruse downstairs, and free
HOTEL
€
