Lombardy

Lombardy stretches from the Alps, on the border with Switzerland, down through the stunning lakes of Como and Maggiore and on to the flatter plains of the River Po. Wealthy, modern, and densely populated, Lombardy has always been the most highly developed region of Italy and leading agricultural area. Milan, the chief city, is one of the largest industrial centers of Italy. Lombardy's other major cities include Brescia, Bergamo, Cremona, Pavia and Monza

Lombardy is also rich in sites of great geographical and historical interest. It possesses many of Italy’s most astonishing and, perhaps, least expected areas of natural beauty and artistic significance.

LAKE COMO is set in an idyllic landscape of mountains and rugged hillsides. It is one of the famous Italian Lakes destinations, not far from Milan in the north of Italy. Lake Como is long (50km), slender and extremely deep. The southern end forks into two long 'legs', with the picturesque town of Bellagio situated on the promontory between them. It is an oasis of tranquility and a magical combination of lush Mediterranean foliage and snowy alpine peaks.

With its tiny villages stacked perilously up the rocky slopes overlooking the lake, immersed in a natural environment of great beauty and exceptional conservation, Lake Como offers an incredibly and wide variety of vegetation and landscape that makes it one of the most scenic spots in all of Italy.

LAKE MAGGIORE is shared by two Italian regions. While the eastern shores nestle in Lombardia, the western side of the Lake marks the north eastern corner of Piemonte and even the border with Switzerland a few kilometers north of Cannobio. It is the second largest among Italian lakes after Lake Garda.

Lake Maggiore is rich in history, full of interesting villages and buildings to explore, and everywhere surrounded by beautiful scenery. The lesser known Lake Orta lies to the west and well off the main routes, but equally beautiful.

The whole Lake Maggiore area is rich in beautiful buildings, colorful gardens and is enhanced by the three delightful Borromean islands of Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori. Do not miss a visit to Isola Bella, with its exquisite palace and gardens.

There are several festivals during the summer - including jazz in Ascona, cinema in Locarno, jazz and classical music in Stresa.

MILAN – is the second biggest city in Italy and the country's economic engine room, home to Italy's stock market and business centers. It is smart rather than attractive, best place to see Italy at its most cosmopolitan and stylish. This stylish city is also the world's design capital and rivals Paris as a leading fashion centre.

Milan is a sprawling metropolis, but most of its attractions are concentrated in its centre. Its hub is the Duomo, a fantastic Gothic confection. Not far away is La Scala, one of the world's great opera houses.

BRESCIA is the second largest city in Lombardy, after Milan. It is a prosperous centre with flourishing manufacturing, commercial and crafts industries. The major sights include the Roman ruins around Piazza del Foro. The city's prestige as a cultural centre also stems from its rich art collections, such as those held in the Pinacoteca Tosio-Martinengo art gallery, the Museum of the Christian Age and the Roman Museum.

BERGAMO is an extremely pretty old town in Lombardy, on the edge of the Alps. The town is divided into two distinct parts: Bergamo Alta, where you will find most of the historic buildings and tourist sights and the more modern Bergamo Bassa laid out around the beginning of the twentieth century, composed of pleasant wide boulevards. Bergamo contains many sights of interest and architectural beauty. One of Bergamo's most important tourist attractions, located outside the town wall on Via della Nuca, is the town's 200-year-old art gallery, the Accademia Carrara. The Accademia contains works by Botticelli, Bellini, Mantegna, Fra Angelico and many other masters.

MONZA - the origins of this historical city dates back to Celtic times. The main monument of the town is the splendid Cathedral built in the 14th century and dedicated to St. John the Baptist, patron saint of Monza. This city, just outside Milan, is the home to the Famous Monza Race Track, where the Italian F1 Grand Prix is held.

PAVIA is in the southern-west corner of Lombardy. It is home to one of the oldest and most respective universities in the world, The University of Pavia.  Pavia is a vibrant and modern city on the outskirts of Milan, rich in business ventures and cultural heritage. In the town centre, around Piazza della Vittoria, are several ancient monuments, including the medieval Broletto (town hall) and the recently renovated Duomo.

CREMONA is Violin City, the most famous centre for the production of stringed instruments in the world and a home to violin-maker, Antonio Stradivari. 

Walking around Cremona you can easily pick out the elegant curves and scrolls on the brick and terracotta palaces that inspired the instrument's Baroque form.

Cremona hosts one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe, Piazza del Comune and the highest bell-tower in Italy, known as Torrazzo.

GETTING AROUND  Milan has two international airports, which are obvious gateways into northern Italy, and the vast and flat Lombard plain has its advantages when it comes to transport: roads and railway lines criss-cross it and make trips between the larger towns very easy.  The lakes, however, are better visited by car, as only two main towns are served by train, though there are bus and boat services around the shores.  The Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio and the mountains are more remote still, but offer good tourist facilities.