Lombardy

Did you take a picture in front of Milan's cathedral? Great, now close your eyes, forget about the Madonnina and the Gothic spires, and take a deep breath. Let the crisp Alpine air tickle your nose, and when you open your eyes again, you'll discover you're in Carnello del Tasso, a tiny village far from Milan's smog. Carnello del Tasso is a small village built on a cliff overlooking the Brembo River. To reach this unique spot, you have to abandon your car and walk along the mule tracks. The reward is an enchanting landscape and a delicious plate of Casonei, a typical local ravioli. The Lombardy waiting to be discovered is certainly not the industrial region surrounding the Po Valley, but rather a collage of places that exist in the shadow of the big cities, thanks to which they have been able to retain the small characteristics that make them so uniquely beautiful. Don't believe us? To discover them, you have to start in a major city: Mantua, the birthplace of the Latin poet Virgil. The long reign of the Gonzaga family made Mantua the most beautiful city in the region, a precious gem in the history of the Italian Renaissance. Surrounded by three bodies of water, the city's historic center has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its palaces and squares. Despite popular belief, Lombardy is a land of nature. Against the backdrop of majestic Alpine mountains lie its lakes: Lake Garda and the Scaliger Castle, surrounded by water; Lake Iseo; and Lake Como, famous for the opening lines of The Betrothed but also the undisputed king of fairytale landscapes, framed by lush forests and impressive villas, such as Villa d'Este and Villa Babbianello, which can only be reached by boat. If you find yourself in the area, you absolutely must enjoy a day of pure relaxation at the Bornio spa, perhaps pampering yourself with a flute of Franciacorta, Lombardy's sparkling wine. The bubbles of the wine tell us it's time for dinner, and as we wander through Lombardy's beautiful cities, we decide to return to Milan again, because it's a must-try for dinner: a traditional risotto with osso buco and a breaded cutlet, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The Lombardy capital, like the entire region, hides little gems of beauty: the Museum of Science and Technology, of course, and Leonardo's famous Last Supper. But to discover a lesser-known Milan, you have to venture beyond Porta Venezia, where the Art Nouveau buildings are located, built at the end of the last century by the rising bourgeoisie. A little corner of the world, characterized by richly decorated and sinuous portals, wrought-iron balconies, majolica tiles, and mosaic floors. Have we convinced you? Good, you're ready, let's go!