Embark from Turin and head towards the Sacra di San Michele for a memorable exploration of one of the most splendid abbeys found in the Italian Alps. Known across the globe as the creative spark for Umberto Eco’s bestseller ‘The Name of the Rose’, the Sacra di San Michele stands as a significant sample of Romanesque architecture in Europe. Established atop Mount Pirchiriano, it offers extraordinary vistas of the Val di Susa valley and the Alpine mountains. To behold the marble-crafted ‘Doorway of the Zodiac’ (Porta dello Zodiaco), visitors must ascend 243 steps, yet the unmatched view from the apex is beyond rewarding. Explore the intriguing 12th-century ‘Doorway of the Zodiac’. Wonder at the imposing stone flight of stairs known as the ‘Staircase of the Dead’ boasting its 18-metre tall pillar that props up the church’s floor and the ‘Bell’Alda’ tower. Indulge in the magnificent view of the valley and the ‘Via Francigena’ before retracing your steps back to Turin.