Bergamo

Bergamo has a population of 120,000, It is a very old town in Lombardy, on the edge of the Alps. Bergamo's original location was a defensive hilltop, and the town was also protected by great strong walls, Today this historic part of town is known as the Città Alta (upper town) and it's where you will find most of the historic buildings and tourist sights. There is little traffic, and the narrow lanes are pleasant to wander.

Most of modern Bergamo spreads over the plain below the old town. This Città Bassa (lower town) was laid out around the beginning of the twentieth century, and is composed of pleasant wide boulevards. The two parts of town are linked by a funicular. Bergamo contains many sights of interest and architectural beauty, and there's plenty to see on a weekend break as well as the possibilities of trips further afield, including explorations of the nearby mountains, the Bergamasque Alps. Bergamo is also a pleasant daytrip from Milan.

What to taste:

• Bergamo has a variety of local foods such as fine cheeses such as branzi which comes from Val Brembana, the formai de mut and taleggio, which takes its name from Val Taleggio valley. This is regarded as the best cheese to eat with polenta dishes and the wines of Valcalepio., cured pork and the famous polenta. Fresh pasta, wild game and stew are also a Bergamo tradition.
• Also famous for their desserts that include Clusoni biscuits, covered in chocolate; San Pellegrino; the famous polenta and Osèi de la Bergamasca made with sponge cake and butter cream, chocolate and nuts, the Tort di Treviglio and the Torta del Donizatti. Bergamo is also famous for its production of honey.
• The local wines include the RED, WHITE and MOSCATO PASSITO.

Cities & Towns:

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What to do:

• For those who love skiig, snowboarding and skiating you've come to the right place. The Seriana Valley offers a range of tourist provisions for lovers of cycling, trekking and walking through villages of rare beauty, or visits to Gromo Castle, built in 1226 atop a rock dominating the valley and the waterfalls of Serio which, at 315 metres are the highest in Italy and among the highest in Europe.
• There are many walks through oases of nature starting from the Parco dei Colli di Bergamo, which encompasses a large valley surrounding the city, and then onto the region's nature reserve of Valpredine, a WWF centre, with the typical wildlife of the Apls and botanical gardens, where Mediterranean vegetation has been artificially cultivated, adapting to the climatic conditions. The evocative mountain pathway, the Sentiero dei Fiori ( the path of flowers) in the boroughs of Oltre il Colle and Zambla is worthy of note for it plants of ancient origin that date back to the Ice Age.
• The lakes are the destination of choice for those who love sailing, windsurfing, mini-cruises or simply walking by the lakeside. At Villa d'Adda, it's possible to take a ferry on the river Adda aboard a craft invented by Leonardo da Vinci: a 60-metre wooden boat linking the river banks of Lecco and Bergamo, ideal for walks, picnics and excursions in the fresh air.
• There's the Terme di Trescore, a spa whose health-giving waters offer a pleasurable stay combinging health, well-being and relaxation.  

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• At the heart of the old town is the lovely Piazza Vecchia (the main routes through the Città Alta all lead here). A wide open space surrounded by a mixture of medieval and Renaissance architecture, the piazza fills up with students from the university, chatting and picnicking around the fountain. There are several bars with tables on the square for a civilised spot of relaxation.
• The most interesting of the palazzi facing onto Piazza Vecchia is the medieval Palazzo della Ragione. The portico dates back to the 12th century and connects Piazza Vecchia with the little Piazza del Duomo, home to an assortment of fine religious buildings - the Duomo, the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colleoni Chapel and baptistery.
• The church of Santa Maria Maggiore was begun in the 12th century. It's a lovely building, and more interesting than the neighbouring Duomo (cathedral), with a soaring skyline. The interior of the church, with its octagonal dome, saw many modifications over the centuries, including the 16th century addition of rich Flemish tapestries. However, traces still remain of the original medieval frescoes, including parts of a 'tree of life' celebrating the life of Christ. One of the church's most spectacular ornaments is a 1705 wooden confessional, carved by Andrea Fantoni, a hugely ornate extravagance which looks rather like expensive sculpted chocolate. The composer Donizetti's tomb is in the back of the church.
• Next door to Santa Maria Maggiore, and putting its simple facade into the shade, is the colourful Cappella Colleoni, or Colleoni Chapel. The renowned condottiere, or soldier of fortune Bartolomeo Colleoni hailed from Bergamo and commissioned the Colleoni chapel for his tomb. The chapel is a masterpiece of Lombard art, a fabulously ornate building completed in 1476. Colleoni himself is commemorated by a statue astride a gold charger, atop an elaborate two-tiered tomb.
• A cheap joint ticket, organised by the Fondazione Bergamo nella Storia, covers an assortment of Bergamo's tourist attractions - it's good value and you don't need to visit them all the same day. Attractions include the Rocca is a walled stronghold containing a local history museum, the Museo Storico (I once admired Garibaldi's red-and-gold slippers in a Risorgimento display here). You can walk all around the ramparts and climb the tower for great views over the town and beyond. There are more good views from the the 12th-century tower Torre Civica in Piazza Vecchia (also known as the Campanone, or 'big bell'). The tower (closed Mondays and lunchtimes) is included on the combined ticket. It has both stairs and a lift.
• Other Bergamo museums include the Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico) and the Natural History & Science Museum (Museo Civico di Scienze Naturali) in Piazza Cittadella. They are both of international quality but the display information is in Italian only. It is also worth exploring the quiet cloister of the Convento di San Francesco: missed by most visitors, it has the remains of frescoes dating from the 15th to 18th centuries.
• A photo-exhibition and a restored biplane which once commemorated the local aviator and explorer Antonio Locatelli are being housed, at the time of writing, in a woodwork museum in Almenno San Bartolomeo (the Museo del Falegname Tino Sana); worth a visit if you are travelling in that direction; though you should confirm the exhibition's opening by email first.
• Of interest to music fans, the Museo Donizettiano - Donizetti Museum - is located at Via Arena, 9. Born in Bergamo in 1797, Gaetano Donizetti is one of Bergamo's most famous sons. The composer is buried in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, and in the museum close by you can see musical instruments and artefacts from the professional and private life of Donizetti. Bergamo's main theatre is dedicated to the composer, and every year a popular opera season is held celebrating Donizetti and his contemporaries.
• Even higher than the Città Alta, and reachable by a second funicular, is San Vigilio, a small hilltop settlement which offers several pleasant and panoramic strolls. The transport company, ATB, provide an English-language leaflet about the funiculars which also lists several short walks around San Vigilio (with a map). The main attraction of San Vigilio is the Castello, a grassy ruined fortress with superb views to the mountains. To get to the Castello, turn right on leaving the funicular. There are several bars and restaurants for refreshments.
• In the Città Alta there are some pleasant green spaces for a rest or a picnic. The park around the base of the Rocca is open to the public, has shady paths and benches and good views and the unusual addition of vintage artillery and even a tank. Bergamo also has a Botanical Garden, which is open from March to October and is free to enter. The garden is home to over 900 species, and is involved in conservation and research.
• There are plenty of places to eat and drink in both the upper and the lower town. On my first trip several years ago, I ate at Da Franco, in the old town at Via Colleoni, 8; an excellent restaurant busy with both tourists and residents. Prices were reasonable and dishes include local specialities with many varieties of pasta and pizzas (including gorgonzola and apple pizza). More tips for refreshments: a popular-with-locals take-away pizza place in the Via Colleoni, and the bar-caffetteria Campanella at the quieter end of town in elegant Piazza Mascheroni (a good spot for a morning cappuccino) - there are also one or two smart trattorie there, away from the bustle.
• In the lower part of Town halfway along the straight, almost ceremonial, route from the station to the Citta Alta is the showpiece of modern Bergamo, the Porta Nuova district with its interconnected squares, promenades and civic architecture. Among them are the Donizetti Theatre and the rather dignified Law and Justice building opened by the then king in the 1920s. Even more interesting, though, is the Palazzo delle Poste, ten minutes walk up the Viale Antonio Locatelli - a striking art-deco demonstration of 1932 modernity. Along with carved fasces - the bundles of sticks copied from ancient Rome as a symbol of unity by Mussolini - there are four statues representing Etruscan, Roman, papal and fascist Italy. Only the last shows any dynamism, arm raised high in flat-handed fascist salute and front foot vigorously overlapping its podium.
• The funicular is at the end of this mile-long route from the station. It costs a euro. If you are already fainting for refreshment, hold on until you reach the art nouveau cafe (with balcony and big view) at the upper terminus before going on into the old town.
• The other district well worth visiting in the lower town is ten minutes walk left (west) of the Porta Nuova, among the arcaded surroundings of Largo Rezzana. Despite the feeble modern 'fountain' here, this is really an authentic part of the old town, inside the later Venetian walls - now long gone. There are several bars and restaurants for a leisurely break, and it's also the starting point for by far the best way up to the Citta Alta on foot. Those who can summon the energy can follow in the steps of almost anyone coming to Bergamo during the course of many centuries. Take the Via Sant' Alessandro and just keep going, bearing right eventually into Via S. Carlo. If, like us, you need refuelling before the way becomes too steep, the Bar Lo Spuntino (just before crossing Via Garibaldi) is the place for either a drink or a full meal. Early on, there are intriguing glimpses into private courtyards, and then the blank sides of two great churches. Later, the way dwindles to a cobbled path between high stone walls. There are trees, and in spring the call of cuckoos, before you arrive finally into the open, at the big Venetian gate to the upper town, with its hefty lion of Saint Mark.

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Brescia

Population: Brescia has a population of 180,000. Brescia is the second largest city in Lombardy after Milan, and the administrative capital of the Province of Brescia. The ancient city of Brixia, Brescia has been an important regional centre since pre-Roman times and a number of Roman & medieval monuments are preserved, among which the castle.

The city is at the centre of the third-largest Italian industrial area, concentrating on mechanical and automotive engineering and machine tools. Its companies are typically small or medium-sized enterprises, often with family managements. The financial sector is also a major employer, and the tourist industry is important as well, given the proximity of Lake Garda, Lake Iseo and the Alps.  

What to taste:

• The lakes in the area are famous for their fish dishes and in the mountains pasta dishes are predominant made with fresh herbs and different types of cheeses like the tasty Bagoss.
• South of Brescia, where animal rearing and hunting are traditional, the sausages and game are excellent.
• The mild climate on the banks of Lakes Garda and Iseo is ideal for olive cultivation and among the typical products of Lombardy is olive oil. The extra virgin olive oil produced around Lake Garda has an exceptional taste and aroma, which is confirmed by the award of the DOP classification by the EU.
• The typical dish of Valcamonica is lamb sausage, chopped lean meat mixed with skimmed broth of sheep bones. Another Val Comonica product is the stinù, local salami cooked on charcoal, a hot plate or even boiled. Finally, there's stuffed pigeon cooked in accordance with Brescian tradition that should be accompanied by a wine like the Valcalepio red.
• Among the cheeses are Stilter from the pre-Alpine areas and Casolet Dell'Amadello and the sweet-flavoured Formagele from Lake Iseo.
• The local wines are Botticino, Capriano del Colle, Trebbiano e Rosso and Cellatica. Lake Garda DOC wines include San Martino Della Battaglia and Lugana, as well as the classical reds and whites.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Nature lovers will enjoy an excursion to Val Camonica aboard a small train that snakes through its medieval villages and the Val Trompia, in the shadow of unspoiled mountains.
• This is an ideal location for sports lovers and for those who simply wish to relax at the spa resorts of Boario, Sirmione, Gardone Riviera, Limone sul Garda and Ebrusco.
• Many routes can be followed by bicycle in Valdimonica, including the Stelvio and Adamello Parks where is the also the option for trekking and winter sports.
• An ideal weekend is to follow the wine-trail. Franciacorta can be discovered by car, bike or motorbike, exploring its multicoloured scenery, hilly country that stretches from Brescia to Lake Iseo. There are ancient abbeys, palaces, castles, monuments, villas and prestigious wineries where you learn how the world renowned sparkling wine of Franciacorta is made. Other wine routes cover the wines of Garda and of the Colli Longobardi. Lake Iseo, which boasts the largest lake island in Europe, Monte Isola, offers sports such as paragliding and sailing. Finally, automobile enthusiasts should not miss Brescia's 'Millemiglia', a parade of the world's finest vintage cars.  

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The Castle, rising on a place where 20,000 years of human settlements left their traces. Recently a tomb dated 4000 BC was discovered at the foot of the castle, and on the hill slope other traces of 9000 BC. The medieval fortress was built in the 12th century AD, wiping away a large part of the previous settlements.
• Museo Archeologico della Valle Camonica, or Museo Camuna, collection of items documenting the history of the region.
• The parish church of the Santissimo Salvatore, built in the 16th century and renovated in the 19th, with a majestic portal and imposing bell tower in granite stone, with frescoes in the interior by Antonio Guadagnini from Esine (1817-1900).
• The Lakes of Garda, Iseo and Idro offer views that over the years have inspired so many poets such as Catullus, Dante, Joyce and Gabriele D'Annunzio. The latter once lived at the Vittoriale degli Italiani at Gardone, the estate the poet built and donated to the Italian people before his death.

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Como

Lake Como. If you haven't been to heaven, well you've arrived. Enlarge the picture and admire. A picture says a million words. Como's economy was based on the silk industry and is famous also as the hometown of Latin scientists and writers such as Pliny the Elder & the Younger, Pope Innocent XI (born Benedetto Odescalchi), architect Giuseppe Terragni (1584 - 1635), inventor Alessandro Volta.

Como and its lake have always been a holiday destination for artists, poets and politicians, among them Winston Churchill, Konrad Adenauer, Maurice Barres, Stendhal and more recently singer Madonna, actors George Clooney and Sylvester Stallone, stylist Versace.

Como's economy was based on the silk industry and is famous also as the hometown of Latin scientists and writers such as Pliny the Elder & the Younger, Pope Innocent XI (born Benedetto Odescalchi), architect Giuseppe Terragni (1584 - 1635), inventor Alessandro Volta. Como and its lake have always been a holiday destination for artists, poets and politicians, among them Winston Churchill, Konrad Adenauer, Maurice Barres, Stendhal and more recently singer Madonna, actors George Clooney and Sylvester Stallone, stylist Versace.  

What to taste:

• Closely linked to the lake, with dishes based on trout, tench and perch, not forgetting the taste of the mountains in the polenta and game dishes.
• The province's cuisine is And then there's luganeghe, liver mortadelle, missoltitt (dried, salted fish), crescenzine, San Carlin (spicy goat cheese), ataloc di Menaggio, Paradell di Tremezzo (desserts).
• The local wines include red and white wines are the Rosso di Bellagio, Vespertò di Canzo and the liqueurs made from herbal essences by the Piana friars.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Lake Como is a beautiful area to experience exciting trips aboard sail and motorboats are available of the inlets hidden amongst the green of the woods. Those who prefer sport have a wide range of choices from windsurfing courses on the lake and paragliding on Mount Cornizzolo to golf courses, trekking and mounting biking. In summer, there are stimulating nature walks along the Mount Lariani pathway.
• In winter, Mount Sighignola is an ideal place for winter sports. High quality shops stocked with local products, especially silk products, are dotted along the charming roads in the town centre of Bellagio, where numerous workshops produce ties and scarves as well as a items of clothing and household materials.  

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The Cathedral, built between XIV and XVIII centuries, which is connected to the ancient town hall of the city, the "broletto"
• Church of Sant'Abbondio, with beautiful paintings dating to the 11th century.
• Casa del Fascio, designed by Giuseppe Terragni, possibly his most famous work
• Museo Storico Giuseppe Garibaldi
• Museo Didattico della Seta
• Museo Civico Museo Archeologico "P. Giovio"
• Tempio Voltiano (Volta Museum) on the shores of Lake Como.

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Cremona

Cremona is an interweaving of rivers, it’s a really charming landscape in the heart of the valley and the river Po. The territory of Cremona is located between the rivers Adda, Oglio, Serio and Po; it lies on the right side of the river Po and in between Emilia Romagna and Lombardy. The territory boasts extensive plains and forests and wonderful gardens which, thanks to canalization works performed by past inhabitants, have transformed the territory into an extensive, fertile countryside ideal for agriculture.

Founded in 218 BC by the Romans as a military outpost, it became one of the largest towns in northern Italy; destroyed in 69 under emperor Vespasian, though it was rebuilt, never regained rebuilt its former prosperity, and in 605 was destroyed again by the Lombard Agilulf. In the later Middle Ages, Cremona sided with the Ghibellines, and was sacked in 1311 by Henry VII, and again in 1499, when Venice allied with Louis XII against Milan.

Cremona has always been a prominent centre in musical history. Composer Marc Antonio Ingegneri taught here, and among his students there was Claudio Monteverdi. A bishop of Cremona, Nicolò Sfondrato, became Pope Gregory XIV in 1590 and strongly patronized music. From the 16th century onwards, Cremona also became renowned for musical instrument manufacture, beginning with the violins of the Amati family, and later with the Guarneri and Stradivari shops, still today considered the top constructors of string instruments.

What to taste:

• The local dishes are cured pork and sausages, including the renowed garlic-scented salami, cotechino with lentils, culatello hame and all types of pork .
• One local product is mustard, made here since the Middle Ages, using large slices or whole candied fruit, as opposed to the chopped sort typical of Mantua, with the addition of mustard and must, cooked until thick. Mustard goes very well the rich, boiled meat dishes, from beef to local chicken. Boiled meats are often used in cooking the "Marurbini in broth," typical Cremona pasta filled with stew, Mortadella and liver.
• Tortellini are also a popular Crema dish, which has a slight sweet aftertaste, Salva cheese, Bertolina, a sweet foaccia with egg and the local dessert, the Spingarda.
• One dessert that is popular in the area is the Torrone nougat.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Not to miss is the beauty of the waters of the rivers Po, Oglio, Serio, and Adda, adorned with long rows of poplars. Cruise and river boats navigate the Po and the excursion can continue with guided visits of the cities and, why not, some sport fishing.
• One way of touring is by renting a pantoon, a floating houseboat for navigating the Po.
• You can also choose the cycling tours that make a trip through the Po Valley countryside unforgettable. Among these is "The tour of fortified cities and castles," linking places that have city walls and castles as a way of discovering the province of Cremona. , Some of the places on the circuit, Crema, Soncino and Pizzighettone, are connected by a protected cycle route.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• Piazza del Comune, a typical medieval square overlooked by the most important buildings of the city, the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Palazzo del Comune with its famous Torrazzo,at 111 metres high, the emblem of the city, and the Loggia dei Militi.
• Fodri and Raimondi date from the Renaissance.
• The province of Cremona is rich with historic and artistic treasures that allow those who love art and culture to retrace the stages of the historic development of this land; buildings from the medieval period, churches, squares, villas and castles in the alluvial plains.
• The palaces of The churches of S. Sigismondo, S.Pietro al Po and S. Agostino.
• Cremona also owes its fame to the Stradivarius violin, an art continued today in many artisan workshops and the Scuola Liuteria, the School for String Instruments. The Stardivarius Museum hosts a vast collection of instruments and relics from the workshop, Antonio Stradivarius, unique in the world.
• Pizzighettone was a system of fortresses built in the 16th century; Pandino dates from the Visconti era.Among the historical villas are Villa Sommi Picenardi in Torre de' Picenardi, Villa Manfredi in Cicognolo, Villa Maggio-Trecchi in Vho, Villa Medici del Vascello in San Giovanni in Croce, to mention a few. Casalmaggiore should be visited with its Duomo and the Monastery of Saint Chiara.

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Lodi

Lodi covers an agricultural territory also filled with castles and sanctuaries. The plain contains a wealth of waters and was carved out of the floods of the river Adda. It is a very fertile region with an inner layer of clay used for the production of ceramics.

The territory boasts a few protected areas and natural parks such as the Park of South Adda, shared between Lodi and Cremona. The vegetation around here includes the poplar tree, and a distinguishing feature of the landscape is its swamps and humid areas inhabited by various animal and bird species. Green areas are: the regional reserve of Monticchie, the estate of Boscone and Park Ittico Paradiso.

What to taste:

• Lodi is well known for their cheeses such as the most famous being Mascarpone, but also Pennerone, Lodi Granone, cheeses with flavours that these days are becoming hard to find. and the Raspadura, a grana-like fresh cheese traditionally served in thin slices cut with a special knife which makes the cheese curl in on itself. Gongorzola and Stracchino are also amongst the cheese lineup.
• The dishes you usually see is rice with sausage, fried polenta, hare stew and wild pigeon. The slang names used is some Lodi dishes are Uselin De Scapada, mouthfuls of bacon, liver and loin, frogs either fried or in a stew. Other typical dishes are omelettes cooked in many way, including "Cun le urtis" (tips of very thin asparagus that grows wild) and "Rugnusa" (with sausage).
• Polenta is served with many dishes. One noteworthy dish is the "Pulenta pastissada," made with sauce, ground beef, butter and raspadüra layered on the polenta. Vegetarians will appreciate the ratatuille, a pie served with polenta.
• The desserts traditionally used are Lodi cannoli, which are eclairs filled with mascarpone, Codogno biscuits, Casale cake and amaretti.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Due to its agricultural side Lodi is a magnificent to visit the countryside and farming communities. Biking routes are everywhere especially alongside the stretches of water and within the towns.
• The River Adda offers canoeing located east of Lodi.
• There is the Lodi farmsteads, such as that of Grazzanello, which has been converted into a fascinating agricultural museum.
• An interesting way of discovering the territory is to visit the For those who appreciate craftsmanship, Lodi has a fine tradition of ceramics going back to the 16th century that is regarded as the jewel in Lodi's cultural and economic crown, having obtained the DOC classification under the brand, "Vecchia Lodi," the only DOC for handmade products in Lombardy.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• For the festival of the city patron saint, San Bassiano on January 19th, it is the tradition to eat Buseca, boiled tripe with beans and filson (strings of boiled chestnuts). Finally, the desserts. The most typical Lodi cake is Tortionata, an almond cake with ancient origins. There is also the Easter lamb in pastry filled with cream.
• There are a number of interesting museums to visit: the birthplace of S.Francesca Cabrini (Patron Saint of Emigrants) at Sant'Angelo Lodigiano and the Museo Cabriniano at Codogno, the Lamberti Art Collection at Codogno, the Paolo Gorini Anatomical Collection at Lodi, the Museo della Stampa e della Stampa d'Arte, the private collection, "The world of the nativity scene" at Salerano sul Lambro.  
• Castles and churches are a distinctive trait of this area, dating from the era when the river Adda was an important defensive line of the Empire. Those who wish to tread the old Via Fracigena, which once connected ancient Rome to Gaul, should walk from Orio Litta to Corte Sant'Andrea, where there used to be an ancient ford used by pilgrims. Several museums tell the story of the ancient farming tradition such as Cavacurta, Cavenago d'Adda, Livraga, Mairago, Montanaso Lombardo and Sant'Angelo Lodigiano. The tour of historical centres and villas should take in the villages of Borghetto Lodigiano, Sant'Angelo Lodigiano with its Visconti Castle which is one of the best preserved in Lombardy, Camairago and Castiglione d'Adda, while in Cotogno 16th century paintings in the Collegiata di San Biagio and the Santuario della Madonna di Caravaggio.
• Lodi is also the guardian of one of the most important relics of the Lombard Renaissance, the Santuario dell' Incoronata, centrally planned in the Bramante style and embellished with stucco and frescos of rare beauty, created by the most important artists of Lodi and Lombardy. In addition, there are the Cistercian Abbey of Santi Pietro e Paolo and the twelfth century Cerreto Abbey, Villa Biancardi a Casalpusterlengo (Zorelsco district), the Villa Litta Carini at Orio Litta, the former convents of San Cristoforo and San Domenico at Lodi, now the headquarters of the Lodi provincial authorities.

Events:

• Many gastronomy festivals that take place during the year are devoted to local produce, drawing a great many tourists. A land so concerned with agriculture cannot fail to delight the palate.

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Mantova

Mantua rests on the Padana Plain and is full of small towns from the Renaissance period, scattered like small jewels on the flatlands; staying anywhere around here is genuine a pleasure for the eyes, but also for the palate.

It is a hilly natural environment on the north side of the province. To the south, the Great Plain area is filled with rivers such as the Mincio, where Mantua is situated, and the rivers Oglio and Po. The Mincio is the characteristic river of Mantua which is surrounded by three lakes, making Mantua resemble a small inland Venice.

What to taste:

• Mantova is known for there fish and agricultural produce. Catfish, trout and pike are typical in this area. You will also see omelettes made with fried fish or small, freshwater shrimps.
• Mustard is also typical of this area and is served with main courses, especially meat.
• Polenta with gras pista, a scented lardis popular along with traditional rice dishes.
• Meat recipes include stews, boiled meats, roast beef, chicken and game. The most common meat recipes are The Mantuan salami is typical, made with pork fat, with Cotechino (fresh sausage meat), with vanilla, salami with tongue, and belly ham.
•Mantova is also known for their cheeses, namely Grana Padano, Parmiggiano Reggiano and Provolone Valpadana as well as Ricotta, and Stracchino.
• Sbrisolona is the typical Mantuan dessert famous all over Italy, made from sugar and almonds.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Mantua is a succession of characteristic peaceful valley landscapes between the Mincio and Po rivers. You will see plenty of reserves, parks and lakes.
• The largest park is the Mincio, which encompasses the nature reserves of Valli del Mincio, Castellaro Lagusello, Bosco Fontana and Bertone park, where you can take a bike trip and enjoy the pleasures of nature far from the daily routine. Greenline Park is situated on the right bank of the upper lake of Mantua, while the nature park of Oglio Sud encompasses several nature reserves including Le Bine, Torbiere di Marcaria and the mortlakes di Runate.
• Great for bikers Montova offers unforgettable trips. The tourist cycle track that runs between Mantua and Garda is extremely beautiful in landscape and surrounding nature, but also from a historical and cultural point of view. There is also places to rent canoes and kayaks.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• Mantova is maongst the most fascinating cities in northern Italy for its artistic and historical heritage. Palaces, lordly villas, parks and towns built in accordance with the Renaissance ideal of architectural harmony.
• There are many interesting tours of the provincial capital, a treasure trove in the centre of the plan surrounded by lakes
• The Palazzo Ducale is a real city palace with over 500 rooms, courtyards and gardens.
• The Palazzo del Capitano overlooks Piazza Sordello, which forms the centre of the city with the nearby Piazza Erbe which is reached through a series of arcades.
• The Palazzo della Ragione and the adjacent Palazzo del Podestà, the oldest public medieval building, standing alongside the Torre dell'Orologio. The renowned Cathedral is embodies various architectural styles with its Romanesque bell and neoclassical facade, while the Basilica of S. Andrea, designed by Leon Battista Alberti, is home to the tomb of Andrea Mantenga.
• You also need to tour of the town of Sabbioneta, a testament to the ideals of Vespasiano Gonzaga who wished to bequeath a cultural legacy of a "perfect" city. Surrounded by medieval walls, Sabbioneta's points of greatest interest include the city's great gates, the Imperiale and della Vittoria, the Antichi Gallery in Piazza Armi, the Teatro Olimpico, designed by Vincezzo Scamozzi and decorated with frescos byPaolo Veronese, but also the church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Palazzo Ducale and the Palazzo Giardino.
• For the young, there is the toy museum in Canneto sull'Orglio, regarded as a veritable Toyland. The museum, which is located in a 19th century Palazzo, has more than a thousand items on display, including dolls and games, collected from the beginning of the 19th century down to our day.

Events:

• The agricultural produce often features at special shows and food festivals.

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• Fine dining and small centres encourage visitors to relax, the verdant nature and abundance of lakes and stretches of water.
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Pavia

Ancient castles, valleys, mountains, the plain bathed by the rivers Ticino and Po are some of the most beautiful landscapes in Lombardy and are to be seen in the province of Pavia, in Oltrepo and Lomellina.

The province of Pavia – Pavese - is predominantly a plainland with Pavia at its hub, standing at the junction of the rivers Po and Ticino on a hill protecting it from floods and, in olden times, from enemy attack. Lomellina is located on the right bank of the Ticino: it is devoted to rice cultivation and is generously endowed with waters. Finally there is Oltrepo`, beyond the right bank of the river Po, which scales the valleys scattered with vineyards and castles, right up to the dense forests of the Pavese Apennines on the border with Emilia Romagna.

The network of waterways criss-crossing the territory is complemented by its canals; there is the Naviglio Pavese which starts from the heart of Milan at the Naviglio Grande, and goes as far as Pavia. Built by Gian Galeazzo Visconti from the mid-fourteenth century onwards, it goes past the Certosa, powering a number of ancient windmills which are still visible today.

Not to be forgotten is Naviglio of Bereguardo which crosses the territory to the north leading to Milan; this is a favourite canal route for canoeists.

What to taste:

• The ingredients commonly used in Pavian cooking is rice, dairy products and meat. Sausage is popular and includes salami from Varzi, which dates from the twelfth century which includes the coppa, pancetta, cotechino and the tasty salami made from duck meat
• The Lomellina area is also famous for the cultivation of rice. In the plain traversed by the River Ticino, there are many extensive rice fields, which played an important part in the history of the region. Rice is the king of Pavese gastronomy. Five varieties are cultivated here, and they vary in the size and shape of the grains. Rice dishes include not only risottos or timballi, but also ordinary white rice to accompany fish fillets or frog recipes, and used in making cakes. Pavese soup is also well known and is made with broth, eggs and cheese, served with bread and watercress.
• White truffles are the most common, clustered along the banks of the River Po.
• The local wines include the Pavese, including the famous Barbera, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Malvasia and Moscato.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Pavia offers a vast selection of ecological tourism routes and it can also be accessed on foot for hikers. Horseback riding and biking is also an alternative.
• Another itinerary leads from Varzi to Genoais following the "via del sale" (salt road), so-called because of the role it played in the transportation of salt from the sea. On this itinerary lie beautiful churches and castles, hamlets and landscapes, with wooded areas populated by roebucks and deer.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The Basilica of Saint Michael, a masterpiece of the Romanesque style.
• Among other splendid churches, the leading example is the Cathedral, which boasts one of the largest domes in Italy, and The tour of the city continues with Castello Visconteo, a square-plan building with four towers surrounded by a large moat, now home to the Musei Civici with relics from the Roman period, as well as sculptures from the Lombard era and an art gallery.
• The covered bridge, a reproduction of a thirteenth century bridge destroyed during the Second World War, which leads to the Borgo Ticino, where the church of Santa Maria in Betlem is located.
• In Lamellina the most important town is Vigevano, embellished by the Piazza Ducale, a fine example of Renaissance architecture based on a three-sided design with arcades and palaces with elegantly painted facades, closed on the fourth side by the Baroque façade of the Cathedral.

Events:

• Historical events are held in all towns in the Pavese province. In Varzi, there's an annual historical re-enactment of a specific episode from its medieval past. The oldest parts of the town are used as a backdrop for a painstaking reconstruction of the era. The town of Vigevano boasts the Palio delle Contrade. This is a horse race that dates from the medieval era. Elaborate costumes are faithfully reproduced from paintings and images from the period, and are the pride and joy of the procession.
• In the middle of Spring each year, a distant period in history is brought to life, with its drums, dances, ancient arts and crafts, but also with the foods and flavours from long ago. Those who prefer relaxation can visit the spas at Salice Terme, Rivanazzano and Mirandolo. These resorts treat body and mind with various kinds of therapeutic waters and new techniques.

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Sondrio

Sondrio is a fascinating mix of styles from the past. Famous for its wines. Over the years, men battled a rocky and mountainous nature to obtain the famed local wine, but they succeeded in cultivating vines despite this. Enclosed within the heart of the Alps, the province of Sondrio occupies the northern-most part of Lombardy.

Opening out onto the Malenco Valley, Sondrio is the very heart of the Valtellina. Typical are the vineyards covering the foothills of the Rettiche Alps. In fact the lands on the northern slopes of the valley have been worked on since the fifteenth century, to try and remove the rocks and woodland and make way for vine terraces. Today these constitute an economic asset for the city, but also a cultural asset. They stand as extraordinary testimony of man success at transforming a territory despite unfavourable local and climatic conditions.

What to taste:

• Two very important foods in Sondrio are the cheeses (Bitto and Valtellina Casera) and the cold cut meats (Salamis, Bondiola and Liver Mortadella).
• Mushrooms are widespread in the Valtellina territory including the prized porcini gathered in the dense woods of the valley.
• A traditional dessert is a cake called Bisciola, also known as pan de fich, a type of sweet bread made with figs, nuts, raisins and dried fruits often cooked for Christmas instead of Panettone.
• The local wines include Sassella, Grumello, Inferno, Valgella, Maroggia and, above all, the Sforzato.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• It's easy to see that this region with it's high peaks and glaciers are home to a major ski center in the town of Chiesa in Valmalenco.
• You can also take advantage of the landscape and enjoy biking and hiking. There is also golf centers in the area.
• The province also has spas, dating from ancient Roman times, where the health-giving waters can be enjoyed whilst admiring the splendid mountain landscapes. These spas include the Bormio spa, Bagni Vecchi, Bagni Nuovi of Valdidentro and the Bagni of Masino.  

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The city center of Sondrio includes Piazza Garibaldi with elegant, neoclassical buildings, the Pedretti theatre built in 1820 to the design of the architect Canonica.
• Small roads lead from here to the old city centre, which boasts styles from different eras, Renaissance, Baroque, neoclassical, modern and contemporary, and from this spot, Medieval.... Castello Masegra can be seen, with a the panorama of the vineyards. There are numerous castles and towers in evocative locations of great strategic importance such as the tower called "de li beli miri" of Teglio, Castel Grumello north of Sondia, Bellaguarda in Tovo di Sant'Agata or those of Grosio, to mention but a few.
• There are the ski resorts of the "Skiarea Valtellina", Alta Valtellina, Aprica, Valmalenco and Valchiavenna. A district with 400 kilometres of pistes for Alpine skiing and more than 200 kilometres for Nordic skiing in famous international resorts such as Livigno, Bormio, Santa Caterina Valfurva, Valdidentro/Valdisotto, Aprica, Chiesa in Valmalenco and Caspoggio, Madesimo/Campodolcino and Valgerola to which the summer ski resort of Passo dello Stelvio has been added.
• The Valtellina is also a summer destination, and in the warmer months there's an explosion of colour in the numerous nature parks and reserves such as the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio ,the largest nature park in Italy and the park at Orobie Valtellinesi with the Alpine ecological and wildlife observatory at Aprica, and the Nature Reserve of Val di Mello, a real haven for nature lovers.

Events:

• The Sondrio Festival is not to be missed, an annual international exhibition of parkland documentaries in October. This international film competition is devoted to parks and nature reserves throughout the world. Its key objectives are to spread knowledge about reserves and awareness of the importance of environmental issues.

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Varese

Varese is situated at the foot of the Pre-Alps, with a wealth of waterways, valleys and castles. It’s a perfect example of harmony between man and nature. From above, the province resembles a table of colours due to its mountains, valleys and rivers; there are about ten lakes all of glacial origins: Lake Maggiore, Lake Caresio, Lake Verbanio are the major ones, connected with many waterways and rivers such as the Olona and Ticino.

The northern part of the territory is mountainous, sloping slowly downwards with its hills and valleys, and finally it turns into plainlands to the south. The landscape is enriched by beautiful villas with lovely gardens, parks, woods and bell towers. The valleys are traversed by ancient roads which you can discover, unhurried, on foot, on horseback or by bike, especially during the intermediate seasons.

What to taste:

• Varese is known for their cheeses and honey. Typical cheeses are Gorgonzola DOP produced in Varese, while in the Luinese valleys, the Formaggella –can be tried, a semi-hard mild cheese made from whole goats' milk. Three types of Honey are produced , millefiori (thousand flowers), acacia honey and chestnut honey often consumed as an accompaniment to goats' cheese.
• Other dishes found are cabbage and pork combinations.
• Desserts genrally found is a small handmade cakes called Buoni and Brutti (the good and the ugly) made of egg white, almonds, nuts and vanilla.
•The local wines include Ronchi Varesini, the white, red and rose` wines named after the terraced slopes where they are cultivated.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Water sports are popular with the various rivers in the area ideal for canoes and kayaks. There are also beaches where you can windsurf or water ski.
• You can horse ride and hike the valleys and woods that abound Varese.
• Winter season ables you to skating and skiing. 

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The Basilica of Saint Vittore is also worth a visit, with its famous bell tower and the baptistery of San Giovanni. The garden city of Vare se, has an urban plan all its own due to the fact, unlike other Lombard cities, its heart is not a collection of connected centres, but gradually castles sprung up around it with swathes of green space between them and the centre where, starting in the eighteenth century onwards, beautiful villas surrounded by gardens were built that are still one of the city's greatest attractions.
• A trip on the lake is an experience not to be missed. Starting from Stresa, with its imposing hotels, the voyage continues towards the Borromeo Islands, incorporating Isola Bella with its Palazzo Borromeo, Isola Madre with its stunning vegetation and Isola dei Pescatori with its characteristic village. Other fine historical monuments that must be seen are the Eremo (Hermitage) di Santa Caterina del Sasso in Leggiuno, perched on top of a rock overlooking the lake.
• The Campo Dei Fiori located between Lake Varese and Val Cuvia, furrowed with little-explored caves and grottos, is very evocative. The best known is the Grotta Marelli with its vast system of tunnels and caverns containing little lakes, and the Grottos of Frassino and Remeron.

Events:

• Coming soon.

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