Milan, an artistic and cultural metropolis, is visited solely for the pleasure of the eyes. A stroll through the city quickly becomes a tête-à-tête with masterpieces. Wander through the Piazza del Duomo. Visit the grand Gothic cathedral. Gaze upon Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Art lovers will ►
Milan, an artistic and cultural metropolis, is visited solely for the pleasure of the eyes. A stroll through the city quickly becomes a tête-à-tête with masterpieces. Wander through the Piazza del Duomo. Visit the grand Gothic cathedral. Gaze upon Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Art lovers will appreciate the museums. These include the Pinacoteca di Brera, the Museo del Novecento, and the Casa Museo Boschi di Stefano. The Triennale Milano also appeals to art lovers. It has permanent collections and prestigious exhibitions.
Pavia is a young and dynamic city, one of the oldest student cities in Europe. One can stroll through the historic center, visit the Visconti Castle which houses the municipal museums, and cross the Ponte Coperto over the Ticino River. In Certosa di Pavia, visitors can tour the 14th-century Gothic Charterhouse. In the Oltrepo Pavese region, the vineyards produce excellent Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Cremona, a city of music lovers, attracts visitors with its classical music and violins. It is the birthplace of the luthier Stradivari and the composer Monteverdi. The Museo del Violino traces the history of the instrument. Visitors can tour some 150 local luthier workshops. The cathedral has the tallest bell tower in Italy. Numerous classical music festivals take place here.
Mantua, surrounded by lakes, is a jewel of the Italian Renaissance. Palaces, castles, cathedrals, and basilicas adorn the historic center. Painters such as Mantegna, Rubens, and Pisanello left their mark here. It is the birthplace of Virgil and where Verdi drew inspiration for Rigoletto.
Lake Iseo, nestled in the Prealps, is smaller and less frequented than its larger neighboring lakes. One can stroll in a peaceful atmosphere, visiting Pisogne, Lovere, and Monte Isola. In the nearby Val Camonica, visitors can discover 140,000 petroglyphs dating back 8,000 years.
From the fortified Città Alta in Bergamo, visitors can enjoy superb views. One can walk along the former patrol paths and cross the ramparts by funicular. The Piazza Vecchia, the cathedral, and the medieval alleyways have retained their old-world charm. Bergamo remains an unmissable destination.
In the north, the mountainous province of Sondrio is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts: skiing, hiking, mountain biking... Both summer and winter, it is the ideal place to relax and get some exercise.
Surrounded by villas, villages, and gardens, Lakes Como, Maggiore, Garda, and Iseo are prime resort destinations. Visitors can stroll, take boat trips to visit the Borromean Islands, Bellagio, the villas of Este, Carlotta, and Erba... In summer, one can also enjoy paddleboarding, sailing, and kitesurfing.
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