Explore the Ancient Roman Quadrilateral district where the city walls and gate still stand. Your privateguide will give you suggestions along the way for local cuisine and restaurants, and of course, if you are a chocolate enthusiast, will be more than happy to suggest you some shop where you can buy top quality Piedmont chocolate, like the typical Gianduiotto. I agree to Terms & Conditions. Genoa is a maze of historic alleyways and squares that spread out from the ancient harbor located in the city center. The main station stops in the center of the city where you can hunt out many of the cities famous buildings and museums. Brescia is in good company too good, in fact. I had some of the best food in Varese on my trip, with restaurants catering towards Italians rather than tourists. Milan's position in Western Lombardy puts it within easy reach of several rewarding day trip destinations. Stand at the feet of Turins symbol, the Mole Antonelliana, and listen to stories about the building. Your private guide will share the history, traditions, and curiosities of the city. If you are looking for a stress-free way of exploring Como and seeing most of the lake and towns, I suggest taking. As an Airbnb Associate, we earn when you book through our links. Alternative Tour: Venice Day trip from Milan, Florence Day Trip from Milan, Genoa & Portofino Day Trip from Milan, Verona Day Trip from Milan, DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: Your hotel in Milan area (a different location may be agreed)DEPARTURE TIME: Suggested departure from 8:00am to 9:30amDURATION: 8 hrsINCLUDED: English speaking driver, Fully equipped Mercedes Benz vehicle, WI-FI on board, Private GuideNOT INCLUDED: Food & Drinks, Entrance TicketsLANGUAGES: English - Italian. In addition, a two-hour train journey might set you back a mere 12.45. The Ponte Coperto is an arched covered bridge over the Ticino River, rebuilt after World War II bombing destroyed the 14th-century bridge. There are plenty of villas and grand houses with large green gardens close to the main central location. While I havent personally been to Genoa, Aram has and really has nothing but positive things to say about the Italian city. Located to the southeast of Milan, this deliciously-named city is the perfect place to head to try some of the worlds most famous cheese and hams. Food-wise in Como, I advise avoiding the tourist traps by the lake head into the town where you will find more local places. Or you can combine romantic Verona with a visit to Sirmione on a full-day Verona and Lake Garda Day Trip from Milan. The regions specialties include delicious rabbit dishes, polenta, and amazing meat-filled pasta called casoncelli, which is served with a butter and sage sauce and little bits of bacon. Alternatively, you can use Genoa as a place to visit Cinque Terre. Turin is known for its cafs, where you'll feel as though you'd stepped back into the city's Golden Age as you sip a bicerin - Turin's own signature coffee/chocolate drink - and nibble delectable pastries. There are also many affordable. Trains take around two hours and cost less than 13. Just the word Parma makes me feel hungry. If you cross over the river from the old town and head up to Villa Della Regina, you will be greeted with some of the best views over the city. Accommodation: Where to Stay in St. Moritz. Tour Name It is a great launchpad with boat trips to Cinque Terre and beyond there! Designed as the mausoleum for Milan's ruling Visconti family (you can see the magnificent tomb of the founder, Gian Galeazzo Visconti), it used many of the same artists and architects that created Milan's Duomo. After enjoying the views, head back down to the river where you can take a gentle stroll and see some nice old bridges that cross the rivers. As you walk around the city, you will be taken back through time in Italy and see the many influences that have led to the creation of an enthralling city. See Via Po and its marvelous arcades, with plenty of bookstores, cafes, and artisans. Click here for the best Lake Como Accommodation, Click here for the best Lugano Accommodation, Click here for the best Lake Garda Accommodation, Click here for the best Genoa Accommodation, Click here for the best Varese Accommodation, Click here for the best Turin Accommodation, Click here for the best Verona Accommodation, Click here for the best Bergamo Accommodation, Click here for the best Parma Accommodation, Click here for the best Brescia Accommodation, Leather NEO Review: Stylish Products to Hit the Road With, 21 Best Places to Visit in Europe in May (+ Seasonal Tips! The 12th-century Palazzo della Ragione, with its triple-arched loggia and impressive stone staircase, joins with the tall tower, Torre del Comune, to form the upper side of the square, which is bounded on the other sides by noble houses and a Renaissance palazzo. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. The streets are narrow with many of the sidewalks being covered and feeling very grand. The fact that Como was once a major center for silk production makes shopping for silk neckties, scarves, and clothing one of the most popular things to do here. You can escape to Milan so easily. The five villages of this UNESCO-listed region sit on a steep, cliff-lined shore south of Genoa, and after a scenic coach ride along the Mediterranean coast, you'll travel between them by boat and train. There are also plenty of shops, cafes, and bistros where you can relax and enjoy the Swiss way of life (and cry about Swiss prices). It is easy to get from Milan to Turin and there are multiple train options starting at as little as 12.45. However, toward the end of the Roman empire, the town became a strategic ground and continued to be used by various rulers as a military stronghold on Lake Garda. The two-hour train ride from Milan to Verona passes along the southern shore of Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake. From Brescia, you can also quickly reach Lake Garda, if you are looking to hit up two places in one day. The tradition of the Sacro Monte is unique to Italy's northern Piedmont and Lombardy, and Varese's joins eight other hillside pilgrimage sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The city of Lugano is located just north of the Italian border in the Italian-speaking area of Switzerland. Varese is easily reachable by train from Milano Porta Garibaldi station and the journey takes around an hour and costs about 7. Arriving from Milan to Lake Como, you will be taken aback by just how picturesque this lake is and how charming this lakeside city is. As you explore the streets, you will discover many other remarkable buildings, each containing its own secrets. One of the favorite things to do on Lake Maggiore, north of Milan, is island hopping among the three islands near the holiday town of Stresa. The train runs year-round, and the views are equally good in summer or winter. The facade is a riot of marble inlay, friezes, delicate columns, and statues of saints. In only 1.25 hours from Milan by train, you can spend a day in the city that the Dukes of Savoy designed as the Paris of the South. Aside from the amazing fresh seafood that is available, Genoa is famous for pesto. Cross the Piazza Castello to visit the Cathedral and the Royal Palace. It makes for the perfect mix, as every twist and turn brings something new and exciting. If cheese is your thing, you can also purchase from a cheese shop a hefty wheel of Bergamo cheese for around 4 euros. Instead of placing a letter, people now touch the statue of Juliet. First of all, hunt out the delicious Parma ham (Prosciutto di Parma). There is more to Italys cuisine than just taking a Milan food tour or enjoying pizza in Naples. On the edge of the town, the foothills of the Alps begin and you can relax in the forests that overlook the town and provide jaw-dropping panoramic views over the city. You can tour the church on your own, but to see the exquisite small cloister and the artistic highlights of the monastic buildings, you must join one of the frequent free tours given by the monks. There are also many churches throughout Parma ranging from Gothic churches to more Baroque styles, each with its own history and characteristics along with impressive frescos and ornate facades. The most famous site in the city and one of the most famous in the world is Juliets Balcony. Emperors, including Charlemagne, were crowned in the Romanesque Church of San Michele, and Pavia's cathedral is based on the designs of da Vinci and Bramante. As an Airbnb Associate, we earn when you book through our links. Subscribe to get notified about new guides, inspiration, deals, and much more! Prestige Tour Italy is a trading brand of Prestige Car Limousine Snc & Equatoriale di Lemar Srl - Licensed Tour Operator & Travel Agency N. 46753 12/08/1998. The trip between the five villages known as the Cinque Terre, whether by boat, train, or on foot, is one of the most enjoyable experiences in Italy. Pairing perfectly with Parma Ham is Parmigiano-Reggiano, the true parmesan cheese. That one was itself a reconstruction of the original Roman bridge. Its maritime history has influenced the culture and traditions of the city and still plays a large role in Genoa to this day. After a ride as short as 1.25 hours by fast train, you can take a boat to visit all three islands, their gardens, and palaces - and have time for a lakeside dinner in Stresa before boarding the train back to Milan. Adjoining it is the Cappella Colleoni, an early Renaissance funeral chapel decorated inside and out with multicolored marble inlay, and a ceiling painted by Tiepolo. End your tour in Piazza Vittorio by the river Po with a fantastic view. The well-kept town of Sirmione, at the tip of a peninsula that extends into the lake, is worth a stop for its moated castle and the extensive remains of Grotte di Catullo, a Roman villa and spa. Because Milan is the rail hub of northern Italy, getting to any of these places by train is easy, and high-speed trains make it possible to take a day trip from Milan to Venice or even to the Cinque Terre. Within the city itself, you have many stunning villas and an impressive old town with interesting clock towers that range from old ones to ones built during Italys darker years under Mussolini. There are large snow-capped mountains, impressive alpine lakes, and gorgeous coastal cities that lie on the Mediterranean Sea with colorful harbors. RESERVE You can stand in the forum and look down into the ancient street with its excavated shop fronts; above rise the impressive columns of the first-century Tempio Capitolino, which you can tour to see its remaining chambers and colored marble floors. ), 17 Best National Parks to Visit in September (+ Fall Tips! Varese also has a beautiful lake situated slightly west of the city and its the perfect place to relax for a while and enjoy the good weather in summer. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and it is undeniably beautiful. Megan is from Virginia and Aram is from Armenia. Its beauty feels slightly more reserved while still being clearly visible for everyone to see. Packaged day tours often make it even easier to explore beyond the city. To see more of the lake itself, I recommend taking the boat to Bellagio since the small, famous town is perched in the middle point of the fork and provides amazing views of all parts of the lake. In the center of Varese, Palazzo Estense is the richly decorated former villa of the d'Este family, built in the 1700s below a hillside park and terraced formal gardens. See Via Po and its marvelous arcades, with plenty of bookstores, cafes, and artisans. If you are going to Parma,why not go to Modena and Bologna also, since Bologna is only an hour away from Milan? Lugano was such a cool place and is a must for any Switzerland itinerary. At the end of the day, the tour will conclude and your private driver will take you back to your hotel in Milan or other desired location. The depth of the lake gives it an amazing deep blue color that perfectly contrasts the lush green hillsides of the mountains the surround it. Your privateguide will give you suggestions along the way for local cuisine and restaurants, and of course, if you are a chocolate enthusiast, will be more than happy to suggest you some shop where you can buy top quality Piedmont chocolate, like the typical Gianduiotto. . This has led to Varese retaining its local charm and its secret gems hidden. Originally starting off life as its own republic with enormous amounts of wealth from establishing trade routes, the Republic of Genoa is also the birthplace of one of the most famous sea explorers, Christopher Columbus. There are a few boat choices to head out to Bellagio- the short, 45-minute hydrofoil that will speed through the water, zooming past many of the sites. More gardens and a less elaborate palace are on Isola Madre, and the small Isola dei Pescatori is a quaint fishing village with - as you might expect - restaurants serving lake fish. After eating, head to a pub and watch one of Turins two soccer teams, one of which is the world-famous Juventus. Tour Name Your Message To reach Verona from Milan, you can easily use the Italian railway system. For those wanting to do some water-based activities, the lake is well known for its rowing and canoeing having hosted several world championship racing events for the sports. You mention a city to visit via funicular when in Como. The height of the buildings makes it impossible to see what is coming up next and you just have this anticipation that every corner is going to bring something different. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are travel bloggers who enjoy writing about the Nordics and the Eastern Bloc. Lake Como is Italys third-largest lake and one of the deepest in Europe. Varese is not a town on many peoples radar and its one of the best, The UNESCO site is concentrated in the town center, the Roman public houses are very well preserved and parts are comparable to the levels of preservation seen in Pompeii and, 10 Unmissable and Gorgeous Day Trips from Milan, Italy. At the top of the city, just behind the Palazzo della Ragione, are the Duomo and Santa Maria Maggiore, a Romanesque basilica begun in the early 1100s. Walkways allow you to admire the fine detail at close range, and artifacts of this and later eras are beautifully displayed and interpreted. About 40 kilometers from Milan, Bergamo is on a direct train line. A few streets away, the riverside castle has been brilliantly repurposed into an art museum, with fine views of the castellated bridge below. The train costs around 11 and takes about an hour and a half to reach Parma. Next to it is the 3rd-century Teatro Romano. Northern Italy is home to some of the most fantastic nature and scenery. From the new town, there are fantastic views up into the old town that imposes itself over the city. You can be walking casually down a street and turn left and find yourself in one of the most beautiful streets of the city without even knowing it was there. The happy blend of Roman antiquities, medieval streetscapes, and the romance of Shakespeare's tragic (though fictional) heroine Juliet puts Verona near the top of everyone's best places to visit in Italy list. The delicious pasta sauce is best tried fresh from this area and there are plenty of places where you can do so. Unlike the others, Varese's is surrounded by a village that climbs the steep hillside, surrounding the chapels with tree-shaded streets and villas in the Art Nouveau style - called Liberty style in Italy. ITINERARY The crowds shy away once they look at a map and they see Lake Como to the right of the city and make a beeline to it. Your Message A good way to see all three on your own schedule is on a Lake Maggiore Isola Bella Hop-On Hop-Off Ferry Tour from Stresa, spending as much time exploring the palace and gardens as you like. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The best way to spend a day in Parma is to venture into the city exploring the impressive architecture that spans various styles and takes influence from the regions turbulent history where various rulers have come and gone. During the Roman era, the town was a playground for rich Roman families. To maximize time, I recommend taking the hydrofoil on the way back as you will have enjoyed the scenery on the way there. Where to Go from Milan: Italy shares both Lake Maggiore and the smaller Lake Lugano with Switzerland, and this Swiss region known as the Ticino is an appealing blend of Swiss and Italian cultures. If you are looking for a city that is a different pace from Milan, then Turin is your city. Click here to see rates and availability for the tour to Genoa. I can firmly say that it did not let me down and I ate far too much of it when there. There are a lot of things to do in Lugano as the city has plenty of museums and grand architecture in the town itself where you are able to learn all about the history of the area. You will see plenty of little colorful villages perched on top of cliffs and the most picturesque natural harbors. You can get here by train or travel by coach on a Venice Day Trip from Milan, with a guide who will add historical insights to your visit. As you walk through the area you will see an old Roman Theatre, a small temple, and a Republican sanctuary. In the center of the historic district stands one of Italy's best-preserved Roman arenas, the site of a major summer opera festival. As you explore the streets and passageways, take time to stop and enjoy the impressive array of food that is available. Lake Como is world-renowned for its stunning beauty and the fact that its a playground for the rich and famous. At the end of the day, the tour will conclude and your private driver will take you back to your hotel in Milan or other desired location. The train departs from Milan Central Station and takes you directly to the city center. The tiny towns are separated by stretches of steep cliffs and connected by a narrow and often precipitous walking trail, and by a train line that tunnels through the rocky headlands between towns. The trip between the five villages, whether by boat, train or on foot, is one of the top itineraries in Italy. The main site of Varese is located a mile or so above Varese in the hills, a UNESCO world heritage site called Sacro Monte di Varese. On the southern end of the lake is the impressive town of Sirmione. You can customize your tour according to your needs and preferences, our staff would be happy to inform you about different options, alternative routes and sites. But this is only part of the museum that contains entire Lombard and Romanesque churches, a frescoed Nuns' Choir, and a treasury filled with gold work. This amazing scenery is coupled with some of the best food in the world, with regional and local cooking a staple of Italian culture. Surrounded by some of Italy's top places to visit Lake Como, Lake Garda, Verona, Milan many tourists seem to hurry past without stopping. There are also plenty of shops, cafes, and bistros where you can relax and enjoy the Swiss way of life (and cry about Swiss prices). From Como itself, you can only see a small portion of the lake, which is oddly shaped, kind of like a person running. The tour will begin with your private driver collecting you from your hotel in Milan (another custom location in the area can be agreed) with a luxury sedan or minivan, and after 1.5H drive you will reach Turin, a majestic and royal city located in Piedmont between the Pianura Padana and the Alps. The Alps are so close that you can see them from the roof of the Duomo. The newer part of Bergamo isnt quite as interesting but there are still many nice buildings to see and lots of places to eat and drink at. As you explore the streets, look out for Pon Lapidis and an ancient bridge dating back to the time of Augustus rule of the Roman empire. The crown duel of the Roman history of Verona is the impressive amphitheater that was the third-largest in the empire and its famous gladiator fights attracted people from far-flung destinations. Your Name (required) Continue to the Porta Palazzo Food Market, with colorful stalls selling local products including cheese and wine. There are several Roman gates and subterranean excavations from the same period to explore, but few of Verona's attractions get as many tourists as Juliet's house and balcony. The two-hour guided walking tour of Verona is highlighted by visits to the Roman arena and the house commemorating the story of Romeo and Juliet. An amazing example of the strategic role the town has played is the Scaligero Castle, a castle that sits right on the port and is home to a small museum. One of the prettiest towns on Como is Bellagio, set at the tip of a peninsula that divides southern Lake Como into two long arms. But the highlight of Brescia's Roman treasures is the Civici Musei d'Arte e Storia Santa Giulia, a complex that includes an original Roman villa and other homes with stunning mosaic floors. There are quicker trains with Frecciossa albeit, they are more costly. At least four of the city's churches are landmarks of Italian architecture and decorative art. ), 15 Cozy Things to Do in Helsinki in Winter (+ Seasonal Tips! Your email address will not be published. Because of Italy's high-speed train lines, you can whizz from Milan to the Renaissance city of Florence in just two hours, leaving plenty of time for seeing the main tourist attractions. In between these churches, you will find grand palaces that were the homes of dukes and governors throughout history. will take you to three of the towns that sit on the lake and provide a great insight into the stunning lake. All of these trips can be done as organized. ), 20 Best Day Trips from Sedona, Arizona (+ Travel Tips! The journey takes around an hour and 20 minutes, with trains departing every hour and costing a budget-friendly 9.20. Reach it by a funicular or by streets that wind upwards to the impressive gates in the 16th-century bastions. The impressive 14th-century Castello Visconti retains two of its immense towers and now houses history and art museums. To be honest, the first thing I did when arriving in the town center was to hunt down a Swiss chocolate shop and try some of the worlds best chocolate. To see the remaining medieval watch towers, head for Piazza di Leonardo di Vinci, where there are several. For a change of scenery, head to the seaside city of Genoa where you can enjoy the relaxing vibes of the Mediterranean. Turins backdrop of church spires set against mountains makes seeking out an amazing panoramic view a must in Turin. You can customize your tour according to your needs and preferences, our staff would be happy to inform you about different options, alternative routes and sites. It is a mixture of mountains along the shores of the northern part of the lake to a wider, open, and flatter southern part of the lake. As you walk west along the shore of the lake, you can watch seaplanes take off and land. The food in Bergamo is brilliant and I highly recommend spending some time eating regional dishes while you are there.
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