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Lombardy & The Lakes, Italy

One of Italy’s richest and most developed regions, Lombardy stretches from the Alps to the enchanting lakes of Garda, Maggiore, and Como through to the lush valley of the Po river. Home to the historic towns of Mantova, Bergamo and Cremona; the stylish and sophisticated city of Milan; the breathtakingly beautiful Alpine lakes; and the producer of some of the best sparkling wines in the country, Lombardy offers a range of unforgettable holiday experiences.

The world’s design and fashion capital, Milan is also home to the Italian stock exchange and most of the country’s important corporations are headquartered here. The city’s impressive Duomo is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals on earth and the Galleria Vitorrio Emanuele I nearby is one of the world’s most elegant shopping malls. Journey south to the town of Pavia to check out the unmissable Certosa di Pavia. A Carthusian monastery founded in 1396, it is truly magnificent and one of the most notable buildings produced during the Italian Renaissance.

The towns of Bergamo, Cremona and Mantova are well worth visiting and are all within easy reach of Milan. With its wealth of medieval, Renaissance and baroque architecture, the walled hilltop town of Bergamo is an enchanting place. Head for Piazza Vecchia, the elegant square at the heart of the old town. Sample some polenta while here accompanied by some of the area’s excellent red wines. The town of Cremona has a centuries-old tradition of making violins. All of the famous violin-making families started here – Stradivari being the most well known. Visit some of the violin workshops and see how they are made. The beautiful old Etruscan city of Mantova lies on the shores of three lakes – Superiore, Mezzo and Inferiore. The Palazzo Ducale and the 15th century Basilica di Sant’Andrea dominate the city and are well worth a look.

What really draw visitors to Lombardy, however, are the lakes. Lake Maggiore is around 65 kilometres long and is home to the beautiful Borromean Islands. Check out the Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Bella which houses Flemish tapestries and work by Tiepolo and Van Dyck and sample the idyllic fishing village atmosphere on Isole dei Pescatori. Visit the town of Orta San Giulio on the lesser-known Lago d’Orta. Less crowded than other lakeside towns, it is an attractive, relaxing place. Lake Como boasts sparkling blue-green waters set against the snowy peaks of the Alps. Take in a breathtaking view of the lake from the Piazza Cavour in the town of Como. Visit the heart of the old town, Piazza San Fedele, to admire the 400-year old buildings and its basilica. Take time to visit some of the charming villages that dot the shores of the lake. Lake Garda is the biggest of the lakes, lying between the Alps and the Pianura Padana. The towns of Sirmione and Riva del Garda are well worth visiting. Riva is one of Italy’s principal windsurfing centres so there’s no excuse not to try your hand at windsurfing on the lake. Italy’s answer to Disneyland – Gardaland – lies east of Sirmione. This is bound to please the children and a few grown-up children as well!

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