Lombardy

Our tour starts in Milan, the majestic capital of the region and principal financial, commercial and industrial center of Italy. Perhaps best known internationally for its fashion designers, this city is also celebrated for its monuments such as Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco), the cathedral, and the UNESCO site the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which houses Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco “The Last Supper.” All of these we will visit during our stay.

From Milan we travel to Lake Maggiore, our base for the next two days. En route, we’ll visit a farm and cheese maker, and enjoy a lunch of predominantly local products. In the afternoon, a picturesque ferry ride will take us partway to the small town of Verbania, on the Piedmontese side of the Lake Maggiore. Following a visit to an agriturismo (usually a family-run “farm stay” combining agriculture and tourism) we will enjoy dinner replete with local flavors.

The quiet atmosphere of life along the lake will accompany us for the entire day, starting in the beautiful gardens of Villa Taranto, famed for their rare botanical species. From here, we continue our explorations with a boat ride to Isola dei Pescatori (isle of the fishermen) and enjoy a lake fish lunch and stroll around this tiny pocket of lake culture.

In the afternoon, another boat takes us to Isola Bella and its Palazzo Borromeo, a fine example of Baroque architecture with its elegant Italian garden. Over four hundred years, with the muscle of a hundred men, the noble Borromeos transformed the barren island into an exquisite refuge. The descendants of this ancient family are still involved in its upkeep. Back in Verbania, you will have a chance to practice your “food” Italian at dinner, which is on your own tonight. If you like, we are happy to make suggestions.

En route to our next agriturismo, we’ll stop by Varese to visit the UNESCO Site of the Sacred Mount and enjoy some downtime in this elegant town. By mid-afternoon we’ll reach our agriturismo near Lake Como and meet the local family who chose this place as the ideal location to raise their two kids, a dog and some sheep!

Before our dinner prepared by the couple who owns the agriturismo, we’ll enjoy a walk in the countryside, immersing ourselves in the tranquil atmosphere of the forest above Lake Como and working up our appetites!

Today enjoy another walk, this time along the lakeshore with views of Bellagio and the other quaint villages that adorn Como.

Recorded history of Lombardy dates back to settlements in the second millennium B.C. Later, Etruscans, Celtic-Gallic and Romans invaded and ruled the region. We’ll see threads of their history as we walk the town of Como and discover its impressively preserved, massive medieval walls, the cathedral, the ancient town hall, and other monuments.

Most likely at this point you will have tasted some of Lombardy’s most famous recipes: ossobuco (beef shank), risotto alla Milanese (saffron risotto), and polenta (corn meal). Somewhat lesser known but certainly no less delicious are lake fish, such as char and perch, and assorted cheeses including Bagoss (with saffron), which is one of the region’s Slow Food Presidia (worldwide initiatives to support quality production methods that are at risk of extinction). If you like, wash these down with a sip of one of Lombardy’s famous wines: Sfursat of Valtellina made with Nebbiolo grapes, Bonarda or the sparkling and elegant Franciacorta Spumante.

The Slow Food Presidia of Bagoss cheese is a project of Slow Food International, a non-profit organization founded in the neighboring region of Piedmont in 1986. Slow Food promotes “good, clean and fair food” (the organization’s motto) and today includes upwards of 100,000 members in more than 150 countries.

Our time at the agriturismo near Lake Como will be topped off with a cooking demonstration followed by dinner, a robust experience to both learn and taste a local recipe. And, we’ll pair it with wines that you might not know yet, such as Lugana and Bardolino, from nearby Lake Garda.

On our way to Brescia today, we’ll ferry to Bellagio for a chance to amble the streets of this exclusive and posh village. Many celebrities and Italian noble families have long chosen Bellagio as their vacation destination.

The name “Lombardy” derives from the “Longobard,” a derivation of “long beard” and reference to the Germanic tribe that conquered much of the peninsula in the beginning of the sixth century. We’ll learn about them on our visit of the monastic complex of Santa Giulia in Brescia. This wonderful UNESCO site houses an interactive museum, offering you a journey through Brescia’s history, art and spirituality all the way from prehistoric times to present day.

Beyond Santa Giulia, Brescia will quickly charm you with its elegant piazzas, porticoes and Roman remnants like the religious site of the Capitolium. We’ll be sure to visit all of these and allow ample time for relaxing, shopping or a leisurely lunch complete with local delicacies.

For our last night we’ll stay in another agriturismo that also makes wine, olive oil and honey. The area is famous for the Franciacorta wine, which, like champagne, is fermented in the bottle. This noble nectar uses similar grapes, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, creating one of the most elegant and refined sparkling wines of Italy.

Meeting our host family and savoring their cuisine will be a fitting finale for us after our magical experience in Lombardy. Our last dinner together will feature and celebrate many local food makers who are passionate about keeping their traditions alive and protecting the land through sustainable farming practices. We’re sure you won’t forget it! Buon viaggio! (Have a good trip!)

Catch our group transfer to Milan Malpensa airport. If you have more time to spare, perhaps consider one of our two-night extensions to soak in another of the breathtaking Italian lakes: one option takes you to romantic Lake Orta in neighboring Piedmont, the other to Lake Garda and nearby Verona.