Things to do in Lombardy

1. Guided Tour of Bergamo, Franciacorta and Lake Iseo from Milan (City: Bergamo)

This tour is particularly suited to those who appreciate the pleasures of the good life, where food and wine rise to the level of art. The morning is dedicated to discovering the countless artistic treasures of Bergamo, while the afternoon is given over to the verdant vineyards of Franciacorta and the deep-blue waters of romantic Lake Iseo.

 

2. Guided Tour of Bergamo, Franciacorta and Lake Iseo from Milan (City: Cremona)

Love of music, good food, and beautiful things is the characteristic of Cremona, a town in the heart of the Po Valley that is universally considered to be the world capital of stringed-instrument-making. The violin in its modern form was born here in the late XVI century and so was Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737), the supreme and undisputed genius of the luthier’s art. During his long life, he built approximately 1,200 stringed instruments, some of which have come down to us and are among the most valuable musical treasures on display in the new Violin Museum.

 

3. Guided Tour of Bergamo, Franciacorta and Lake Iseo from Milan (City: Iseo)

This tour is particularly suited to those who appreciate the pleasures of the good life, where food and wine rise to the level of art. The morning is dedicated to discovering the countless artistic treasures of Bergamo, while the afternoon is given over to the verdant vineyards of Franciacorta and the deep-blue waters of romantic Lake Iseo.

 

4. Lake Como By Private Boat

Lake Garda, Italy’s biggest lake, is only a few miles from the city of Verona. It is the scenic backdrop for this private half-day wine excursion to Sirmione.

 

5. A Visit to a Lake Garda Town: Sirmione from Verona

Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola each with its own distinct character, set high above the rocky cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, these five picturesque villages comprise the celebrated Cinque Terre. This breathtaking place was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, and it is the perfect backdrop for an entire day spent exploring the area.

 

6.Verona, City of Romance

The City of Romeo and Juliet, nestled on the Adige River about halfway between Milan and Venice, is Verona. Here, in one of Northern Italy’s most noteworthy gems, you will spend three hours with a private guide discovering Verona’s medieval heart.

 

7. Mantua, Lombardy’s Sleeping Beauty: A Full Day Guided Tour from Milan

Italians refer to Mantua as ‘La Bella Addormentata,’ a sleeping beauty that hasn’t changed much since the Middle Ages. About 25 miles south of the popular tourist destinations of Lake Garda and Verona, this beautiful, small city is encircled by lakes that form a remarkable artificial fortification created nearly 1,000 years ago. Acting like a moat, the lakes have ensured that the size of Mantua has scarcely altered over the centuries. The Legambiente ecology association voted Mantua Italy’s most livable city a few years back, and in 2008 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

 

8. Discovering Milan’s Masterpieces

In spite of its bustling, modern incarnation as the fashion and business capital of Italy, Milan offers enchanting treasures from its glorious past. Founded by the Gauls in the 4th century BC, the ancient city of Mediolanum was named after its strategic position in the middle of a fertile plain. From Roman domination to recent times, wealthy clients and important artists have left countless vestiges of their power and taste.

 

9. Cremona, Birthplace of the Violin: A Full Day Guided Tour

Love of music, good food, and beautiful things is the characteristic of Cremona, a town in the heart of the Po Valley that is universally considered to be the world capital of stringed-instrument-making. The violin in its modern form was born here in the late XVI century, and so was Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737), the supreme and undisputed genius of the luthier’s art. During his long life, he built approximately 1,200 stringed instruments, some of which have come down to us and are among the most valuable musical treasures on display in the new Violin Museum.

 

10. Guided Tour of Bergamo, Franciacorta and Lake Iseo from Milan (City: Milan)

Level of art. The morning is dedicated to discovering the countless artistic treasures of Bergamo, while the afternoon is given over to the verdant vineyards of Franciacorta and the deep-blue waters of romantic Lake Iseo.

 

11. Italy’s Fashion Capital on a Segway

If you are bored with old-fashioned city walking tours, then this is the tour for you! A Segway is a terrific way to discover Milan from a new and different perspective in just three hours.

 

12. L’Atelier Sangalli: High Fashion Dreams in Milan

For those looking to cultivate their inner fashionista, a visit to the L’Atelier Sangalli is an extraordinary experience not to be missed. No place else in Milan can you find a fully functioning workshop of haute couture where accomplished seamstresses are busy working at early 20th-century, pedal-operated sewing machines, using techniques from the 1950s to create handcrafted clothing with a contemporary air, (young designer Federico Sangalli calls this place his ‘Factory of Dreams’).

 

13. Small Group Tour of Milan’s Cathedral & Rooftop

If you want to get better acquainted with Milan, first you must see the Duomo, one of the largest and most famous cathedrals in the world. This skip-the-line, small group tour leads you inside the Duomo where your licensed tour guide will reveal all the secrets of this sacred building. After viewing the artworks in the Duomo’s interior and the unexpected archaeological ruins located in its underground, you will ascend to the rooftop of this amazing Gothic cathedral. Here, from a height of about 230 feet, you will have a wonderful view of the flying buttresses and the 135 pinnacles with their wealth of decoration and remarkable statuary.

 

14. Style & Substance: Shopping for the Best of Milan

Fashion-forward Milan was recently cited by the New York Times as one of “The 41 Places to Go in 2011” and no visit to the Lombard capital is complete without a bit of retail therapy! From designer boutiques to handcrafted jewelry to elegant home furnishings, Milan supplies the discerning shopper with the very best quality goods.

 

15. Drink, Eat and Be Merry on Lake Como

The majestic, snow-covered mountains and translucent lake that border Bellagio serve as the backdrop for this fun and informative, 60-minute wine tasting at the Enoteca Cava Turacciolo, a quaint wine cellar hidden just off the village’s main street. Here, a carefully chosen wine list of over 300 labels awaits and, since Italians don’t like to drink on an empty stomach, a stupendous variety of cheeses, cured meats, and freshwater fish will also be offered.

 

16. Milan for Foodies: A Small Group Tour

Eating your way through Milan is a great way to experience Italy’s financial and fashion capital. On this 3-hour small group food tour, you will not only taste some delicious local and Italian delicacies, but you will also discover one of the oldest and most fascinating neighborhoods in Milan: the Brera District.

 

17. The Art of Cooking – Lake Como

Do you want to learn how to make your own gnocchi, tagliatelle or ravioli? This class is the perfect opportunity to do so in a fun and engaging atmosphere and is sure to replace the intimidation factor with enthusiasm and excitement. After working for years in luxury hotels, Daniela and Alessandro decided to share their passion for cooking. They created this class to impart their secrets and teach their guests how to prepare the freshest and most delicious pasta dishes of Lake Como in an amazing setting, in the hills above Villa D’Este.

 

18. Italy’s Great Sparklers: Wine Roads of Franciacorta from Milan

Just a short hour’s drive from Milan lies the bountiful zone of Franciacorta, a wine region that is becoming increasingly renowned as a gem of Italian Champagne Method wines. Located at the foothills of the Alps, the terroir is perfect for the growth of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This full-day private wine experience allows you to fully discover the beauty of the region, its people, cuisine, and story by visiting two of the most prestigious wineries of the area.

 

19. A Small Group Cooking Class in Milan

If you are in Milan and love to cook, then you won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit and cook in the kitchen of Aurora Muti! This 2.5-hour ‘home-style,’ small group cooking class takes place in her private apartment located in central Milan. You will learn to cook a traditional, four-course Italian meal using fresh, local ingredients. Then you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor, eating lunch or dinner around the kitchen table with your fellow companions.

 

20. Bellavista Winery Visit and Lunch in Franciacorta from Lake Como

Franciacorta is internationally praised as one of the best regions in Italy for producing Champagne Method wines, and Bellavista is often lauded as one of this region’s best producers. As the official wine of Milan’s famous opera house, La Scala, Bellavista wines are uniquely artistic, fascinating, and sophisticated. This full day excursion, departing from and returning to your hotel in Como, Bellagio, or Cernobbio, will introduce you to the refined world of Bellavista through its terroir, its wines, its cuisine, and its story

 

Contact Us

All tours can be tailor-made to suit your preferences, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable journey in Italy. To make an enquiry about this tour, call our Experts at 0208 973 2292 or fill out the request form below.