Lombardy, Italy’s richest region, sees more foreign visitors than any other, and Milan is the first city you think of when you hear Lombardy. That’s all well and good and you don’t want to miss those, but there is so much more to discover in Lombardy than the city famous for its Duomo, La Scala Theater, Leonardo’s Last Supper, and fashion houses.
Throughout Lombardy, the culture can be described as very modern, especially in big cities such as Milan. Like other major cities in Europe and throughout the world, life in Lombardy can be fast paced and have a “hustle and bustle” quality. Throughout the region, business is a cornerstone of the culture.
“Lombardy is amongst Europe’s richest and most industrial regions, yet it’s incredible for nature! The Alps form its northern border with Switzerland and Austria; Italy’s longest river, the Po, is the southern border; and it has the most rivers and lakes in Italy. There’s fantastic skiing in Valtellina and Chiavenna, not far from St. Moritz.”
But this is the Italian region with the most UNESCO-protected heritage sites — 10 of them scattered throughout — from the Baroque sanctuaries on the Sacro Monte (sacred mountain) at Ossuccio, high up above Como, to the Santa Giulia Museum in Brescia, a veritable time machine with a Roman home in the basement and Lombard, Romanesque and Renaissance architecture throughout the old monastic complex.
There’s a Caravaggio in Cremona (home to Stradivarius violins), and a striking Raphael in Bergamo, behind its UNESCO-rated ancient walls. Mantua is an almost Disney-perfect city, floating on artificial lakes, with its Ducal Palace frescoed by Mantegna, godfather of the Renaissance. While university town Pavia has Italy’s third-largest cathedral dome, medieval skyscraper towers and the sprawling Certosa monastic complex.
Lombardy is the Lake Region of Italy and one of the most picturesque areas to visit. A culmination of freshwater streams, towering mountains, natural wildlife and magnificent lakes that adorn its countryside. All this surrounded by alpine beauty.
Being in the proximity of the Alps, the lakes of Lombardy are all of glacial origin, meaning that the melting of ice glaciers helped form the lakes.
Lago di Como, made famous by George and Amal Clooney is the most visited. But there are others just as stunning. Lago Iseo, Lago di Lugano, and Lago Maggiore with its splendid Borromeo Palace are a must-see.
The largest lake in Italy, Lago di Garda, with its lemon trees, is the most Mediterranean of all. Many famous artists and poets have taken refuge here in the summer. It is located between Brescia and Verona – and within the regions of Lombardy, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto. The formation of this lake is special as the glaciers that created this lake were from the last ice age. In Lago di Garda you can find an abundance in olive trees, lemon trees, orange trees—as also Lombard wines and truffles.
The views are breathtaking. Look around the villages, it is rich in historical monuments, Veronese and Venetian castles and towering fortresses. Viewing the landmarks, you could catch a glimpse of its rich past. Some places you should visit are the Sirmione Castle, Grotte di Catullo in Sirmione and Isola del Garda.
And If you love active sports, you can do windsurfing, sail boating, diving, and canoeing! There are too many things to see and do for a short list. But one of the most fun things that you can do in Lake Garda is to take a ferry do a little island hopping among all the tiny isolas and villages surrounding the lake as they are all amazing towns with their own personality.
Spring and summer ar ethe best times to come, although winter can be fascinating (if cold) when the mist rolls along the pianura padana. Avoid scorching, humid summers, unless you’re heading into the mountains.
In Milan, forget Fashion Week — the time to visit Milan is around the Salone del Mobile (Design Week) each April, when citywide shops are taken over by pop-ups and installations (though hotel rates skyrocket). Usually held in January, Bergamo Arte Fiera is a modern art fair for fans as well as buyers.
Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda is one of the best choices for accommodation.
Views don’t get better than these: located halfway up a cliffside above Lake Garda, with 360-degree panoramas of towering mountains and emerald green pastures reflected n the glittering lake rolling out beneath. This is a locally owned, world-class spa, with super-effective treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine, and a gourmet restaurant cantilevered over the hillside.
For an authentic Lombard dining experience visit L’Ustaria di Giugaton.
A mile and a half outside Pavia, beside the Ticino river, this lovely homestyle osteria serves up classic dishes from the area — whether that’s risotto and homemade pasta, or centuries-honed entrées, from duck with pureed cabbage to river pike with olives and green salsa. And don’t forget the region’s most famous dish: risotto alla Milanese.
