Here are eight day trips within easy reach of Milan. Grape-lovers will enjoy bike tours around the Franciacorta wine-making region, as well as the local refreshments.
Franciacorta —
Here are eight day trips within easy reach of Milan. Grape-lovers will enjoy bike tours around the Franciacorta wine-making region, as well as the local refreshments.
Consorzio Franciacorta
The Franciacorta region is famous for its sparkling "brut" wines, the Italian version of champagne.
Brut —
The Franciacorta region is famous for its sparkling "brut" wines, the Italian version of champagne.
Aldopadovan
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a hill dotted with a network of 15 chapels, featuring life-size statues dramatically illustrating episodes from Christ's life.
Sacro Monte di Varese —
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a hill dotted with a network of 15 chapels, featuring life-size statues dramatically illustrating episodes from Christ's life.
Vittori Ghelfi
A short distance from Sacro Monte, the convent of Santa Caterina del Sasso is also worth a stop. It's cut into a cliffside with stunning views over Lake Maggiore.
Santa Caterina del Sasso —
A short distance from Sacro Monte, the convent of Santa Caterina del Sasso is also worth a stop. It's cut into a cliffside with stunning views over Lake Maggiore.
Courtesy Santa Caterina del Sasso
The walled town of Pizzighettone is a former Roman military camp. France's King Francis I was held hostage in the prison tower here in the 16th century.
Pizzighettone —
The walled town of Pizzighettone is a former Roman military camp. France's King Francis I was held hostage in the prison tower here in the 16th century.
Viciguerra Cristina
Pizzighettone has plenty of local lore and tradition, much to do with food. Saint Bassiano's tripe is named after a holy patron who is said to have saved the village from the raids of Frederick Barbarossa in the 12th century.
Holy tripe —
Pizzighettone has plenty of local lore and tradition, much to do with food. Saint Bassiano's tripe is named after a holy patron who is said to have saved the village from the raids of Frederick Barbarossa in the 12th century.
Viciguerra Cristina
Gorgonzola is the birthplace of the famous blue cheese, which is honored by a food festival each September. Huge pots of boiling soft cheese mixed with red beet and blue Curacao liquor are prepared.
Gorgonzola —
Gorgonzola is the birthplace of the famous blue cheese, which is honored by a food festival each September. Huge pots of boiling soft cheese mixed with red beet and blue Curacao liquor are prepared.
Pro Loco Gorgonzola
You can reach nearby towns by strolling along the Naviglio Martesano canal or by hiring a canoe or kayak.
Naviglio Martesano —
You can reach nearby towns by strolling along the Naviglio Martesano canal or by hiring a canoe or kayak.
Pro Loco Gorgonzola
For centuries Brescia was a Celtic settlement, until Romans conquered it in the first century AD and turned it into a little Rome, naming it Brixia.
Brescia —
For centuries Brescia was a Celtic settlement, until Romans conquered it in the first century AD and turned it into a little Rome, naming it Brixia.
Turismo Brescia
It's now Lombardy's largest archaeological site protected by UNESCO. A Roman amphitheater -- a sort of miniature Coliseum -- stands alongside a temple, ancient columns and arches and thermal baths.
UNESCO site —
It's now Lombardy's largest archaeological site protected by UNESCO. A Roman amphitheater -- a sort of miniature Coliseum -- stands alongside a temple, ancient columns and arches and thermal baths.
Turismo Brescia
The buzzing town of Pavia, founded by the Germanic Lombard people who gave their name to the region, is a maze of cobbled streets, winding alleys and lively piazzas. Pavia Castle is pictured.
Pavia —
The buzzing town of Pavia, founded by the Germanic Lombard people who gave their name to the region, is a maze of cobbled streets, winding alleys and lively piazzas. Pavia Castle is pictured.
Umberto Barcella
The lavish Certosa of Pavia, today a monastery, was the mighty Visconti family's mausoleum.
Certosa of Pavia —
The lavish Certosa of Pavia, today a monastery, was the mighty Visconti family's mausoleum.
Enit Photo Archive
Here's one for the sweet-toothed. Cremona is famous for its turron, nougat created with almond and honey.
Cremona —
Here's one for the sweet-toothed. Cremona is famous for its turron, nougat created with almond and honey.
Festa del Torrone Cremona
There are 83 towers in Cremona but the tallest is the 111-meter Torrazzo.
Torrazzo —
There are 83 towers in Cremona but the tallest is the 111-meter Torrazzo.
Provincia Cremona
Only 30 residents live in this fairy-tale medieval village, considered to be one of Italy's most beautiful hilltop towns.
Cornello dei Tasso —
Only 30 residents live in this fairy-tale medieval village, considered to be one of Italy's most beautiful hilltop towns.
Museo dei Tasso
Polenta is a local specialty in Cornello dei Tasso. The cornmeal mulch was once a peasant's dish, believed to have aphrodisiac powers.
Polenta —
Polenta is a local specialty in Cornello dei Tasso. The cornmeal mulch was once a peasant's dish, believed to have aphrodisiac powers.
Enit Photo Archive