_ WHERE TO STAY

Bergamo is a lovely city located in the center of Lombardy, 50 km far away from Milan.

Travelling in MARCHE 

Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Senigallia, San Benedetto del Tronto, Gabicce Mare, Loreto, Ascoli Piceno?

Sea and mountains, this region, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, offers a variety that combines the flavors of the sea to those who are of the countryside and hills.
Famous dish in the area of Ascoli Piceno are Olive all'Ascolana.

COOL STUFF TO BUY IN THIS REGION:

PASTA: MACCHERONCINI DI CAMPOFILONE

WHAT TO EAT IN MARCHE?

- BRODETTO MARCHIGIANO (soup)
- VINCISGRASSI (pasta: lasagna marchigiana - see the first pic)
- OLIVE ALL'ASCOLANA (appetiser)

The stuffed olives, appreciated and known all over the world, are the most famous dish of Italian culinary tradition of the Marche. The olives are stuffed with small doses of the meat filling, then they go breaded and dipped in beaten egg with a pinch of salt.

Olive all'ascolana: source pinterest

Travelling in UMBRIA

Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Assisi, Orvieto, Gubbio, Perugia?

Simple and natural dishes seasoned with the famous extra virgin olive oil one of the best of Italy in these areas. Other typical products are the black truffle from Norcia one of the ingredients of many pasta dishes, and lentils from Castelluccio di Norcia as well as wild boar meat.

SHOPPING IN UMBRIA:

FRIEND GIFT: A BASKET OF TYPICAL PRODUCTS.

1. CHOCOLATE PERUGINA
2. SALSA TARTUFATA

WHAT TO EAT IN UMBRIA?

- AGNOLOTTI AL TARTUFO (pasta)
- ZUPPA DI LENTICCHIE (vegetable soup)
- CARDI AL GRIFO: Cardi al Grifo is dish made from thistles, eggs, breadcrumbs, lean veal, chicken livers, onion, olive oil, white wine, mushrooms, tomatoes and parmesan.
- TORTA AL TESTO (bread and cold cuts).

Torta al testo. Source.

Travelling in LAZIO

Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Roma, Gaeta, Ostia, Anzio, San Felice Circeo, Cerveteri, Tarquinia?

In this region you can find plenty of pasta dishes with all kinds of seasoning such as bucatini amatriciana, spaghetti alla carbonara, bucatini cacio e pepe. Another typical meat dish is the lamb: saltimbocca alla romana and oxtail.

BEST THINGS TO BUY IN ROME:

• PECORINO ROMANO
• SAUCE FOR PASTA

WHAT TO EAT IN ROME?

- GNOCCHI ALLA ROMANA  (pasta)
- SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA  (pasta)
- BUCATINI ALL'AMATRICIANA  (pasta)
- ABBACCHIO ALLA CACCIATORA (meat)
- MARITOZZI (sweet)

The maritozzi fluffy and delicious sweet rolls stuffed with whipped cream are served for breakfast in every bar in the capital and its surroundings. Often the dough is enriched with pine nuts, raisins and candied orange peel.

Maritozzi: tiypical Roma sweet. Source

Travelling in ABRUZZO

Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Alba Adriatica, Pineto, Roseto, Pescara?

A journey through the flavors of the Adriatic sea of Pescara, vineyards and olive groves of Chieti and Teramo, L'Aquila with its strong mountain flavors.

3 THINGS TO BUY IN CENTRAL ITALY:

FRIEND GIFT: A BASKET OF TYPICAL PRODUCTS.

- WINE: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
- CONFETTURA: Marmalade


WHAT TO EAT IN ABRUZZO?

- MACCHERONI ALLA CHITARRA (pasta)
- CODA DI ROSPO ALLA CACCIATORA (fish)
- PARROZZO (Original typical dessert of Christmas Abruzzo cuisine)
- CICERCHIATA (sweet)

Struffoli abruzzesi (cicerchiata) are small balls of sweet dough, fried and then dipped in honey.

Struffoli abruzzesi. source

Travelling in MOLISE

Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Termoli, Campobasso, Isernia?

Dishes of pork, and the coast dishes of fish stews, soups and rice.

WHAT TO EAT IN MOLISE?

- BRODETTO DI PESCE
- PAMPANELLA
- CANCELLE
- PICCILLATI

BEST FOOD TO BUY IN MOLISE:

- OLIVE OIL
- PASTA: i cavatelli

The cavatelli are a fresh semolina pasta, typical of the regions of Molise and Puglia. They have an elongated and hollowed shape. The cavatelli are great topped with tomato sauce and ricotta cheese or with meat sauce or with vegetables.

Cavatelli pasta: source and italian recipe

Related articles:

• Regional traditional food Norther Italy

ITALIAN CUISINE

Italian cuisine is creative and imaginative and one of the richest in the world.
The climate varies in different regions allows to obtain different products.

It is a cuisine rich in tradition with authentic dishes, simple that enhance the natural flavors of the various local products.
We make an overview of the various regions of Italy in order to understand better the specialties.

ITALY'S REGIONS
NORTHERN ITALIAN CUISINE

Travelling in Liguria? Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Alassio, Bordighera, Camogli, Cinque Terre, Portofino, Portovenere...

Here you can find dishes based on fish and herbs including the famous pesto that is used as a condiment on pasta or added to vegetable soups. Always present pies with vegetables and various types of buns.

PASTA AL PESTO

What to eat in Liguria:

• Torta pasqualina (salty cake)
• Focaccia di Recco (street food)
• Trofie al Pesto (pasta)
• Canestrelli e Baci di dama (sweet)

Travelling in PIEDMONT - PIEMONTE. Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Torino, Sestrière, Lago Maggiore...

One of the most refined cuisines of Italy; stand out dishes based on rice as the "paniscia", the famous Alba truffles, "bagna cauda" typical hot sauce with vegetables dipped bread and anchovies. Famous various boiled meats and delicious chocolates Gianduiotti typical of the area.

Agnolotti: fonte Pinterest

What to eat in Torino:

• Vitello tonnato (meat)
• Agnolotti (pasta)
• Brasato al barolo (meat)
• Pesche ripiene  (fruit)
• zabaione (sweet)

Travelling in AOSTA VALLEY - VAL D’AOSTA. Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Aosta, Saint Vincent, Courmayeur...

Dishes based on cereals, beef and pork, dairy products including cheese Fontina Val d'Aosta fondue and typical sauce made of various cheeses.

Fonduta

What to eat in Aosta:

• Fonduta Valdostana (cheese cream)
• Gnocchi alla fontina (pasta)
• Caffè valdostano (drink)

Travelling in Lombardy - LOMBARDIA. Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Milano, Bergamo, Como, Lago di Garda...

Dishes abound in this region based on freshwater fish, especially in the Lombardy lakes area, the milk cheese, the meat with its boiled and stews, rice and corn. Widespread and 'the use of polenta as a side dish to accompany meat with various sauces. One of the many specialities' of this region are the pork tripe, and sausage. In Milan the lively Milano, you can enjoy a good risotto alla Milanese, the tasty schnitzel and under the Christmas period also typical dessert par excellence Panettone.

Pizzoccheri Valtellinesi

What to eat in Milan:

• Ossobuco (meat)
• Cassoeula (meat)
• Pizzoccheri (pasta)
• Cotoletta alla milanese (meat)
• Bresaola della Valtellina (meat, cold cuts)

Travelling in TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE. Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Merano, Pinzolo, Riva del Garda, Canazei...

In this region abound dishes with soups of all kinds, for example, the Panada. Very important also cheeses and cold cuts including the famous Speck.

Canederli. Fonte: Pinterest

What to eat in Trento:

• Canederli (pasta)
• Wurstel (meat)
• Carne salata (meat)
• Polenta (dish made of corn flour)
• Strudel (sweet)

Travelling in FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA. Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Caorle, Grado...

It is a rustic and simple cuisine but offers so many different flavors, from cereals and vegetable soups, vegetables and meats to the cotechini combinations and turnips.

Baccalà alla triestina. Fonte: Pinterest

What to eat in Friuli:

• Polenta pasticciata (dish made of corn flour)
• Baccalà alla triestina (fish)

Travelling in VENETO. Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Venezia, Verona, Cortina d Ampezzo…

A typical dish is the famous salt cod, especially the one at Vicenza, as well as the Treviso Radicchio that finds various uses in the kitchen. Another typical dish is the Venetian liver. Inevitable here too the polenta that accompanies various meat dishes.

Risi e Bisi, Fonte: Pinterest

What to eat in Venezia:

• Baccalà (fish)
• Bigoli (pasta)
• Risi e Bisi (rice)
• Fegato alla veneziana (meat)
• Pandoro (sweet)

• Vini veneti: Soave, Valpolicella, Bardolino, Recioto.

Travelling in EMILIA ROMAGNA. Are you thinking about taking a vacation in Rimini, Imola, Bologna…

Rich and tasty dishes based on pasta of various types accompanied by the famous Bolognese sauce made with meat and tomato. The tortellini in broth are another popular dish in these areas. Another speciality is stuffed sweet or savoury flatbread. In coastal areas, various dishes based on fish meals including soup.

Lasagne alla Bolognese; Pinterest

What to eat in Rimini:

• Cappelletti (pasta)
• Lasagne alla bolognese (pasta)
• Passatelli (pasta)
• Tagliatelle al ragù (pasta)
• Zampone (meat)

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One of the 10 most important events at world level in 2016 takes place in Italy this year, on Lake Iseo, a town a few kilometers away from Milano.
A short event, called "Floating Piers" which lasts only 2 weeks (opening on June 18, 2016), but which will provide an enormous tourist flow from all around the world.

floating on lake

If the idea attracts you to walk on a floating bridge on the water of lake Iseo, in this article you find all the information for participating to the annual event.

• Floating Piers: tickets and bookings Iseo Lake
• Opening hours of the bridge over Lake Sebino.
• How to get to Lake Iseo and how to reach the floating walkway.
• Safety and rules for going onto the Floating Piers bridge.

I WENT IT!

ENDED EVENT... but YOU CAN always VISIT THE ISEO LAKE and MONTISOLA.

Leonardo Express connects you from Roma Termini to Fiumicino Airport in just 32 minutes. even leaving to remain trapped in traffic. The single ticket, valid for only one journey, costs 14 euro.

Do you need to travel to or from Fiumicino airport at a very late or very early hours? 

No problem. There is a night bus that connects central Rome to Fiumicino airport.

Getting from Rome Airport to Rome city

Ciampino

In this article you will find useful info for planning a day trips from Milan to discover some places to see, about an hour away from Milan. At the end of this article you will find links to deepen the knowledge of the various cities, countries listed.

TOWNS NEAR MILAN

The writer lives in Italy and knows his territory for which can recommend beautiful places to see near Milan not only famous towns but also hidden gems from mass tourism.

BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO SEE NEAR MILAN

Places near Milan to visit

1. Monza: 18 km from the Lombardy chief city.

A lovely town to visit near Milano is Monza and its Cathedral.
The historical city center is an ideal place for a walk among the little shops and coffee bars, often crowded, in which it is nice to stop for a fast break.

Monza city center

Apart from the historical center I advise you to see the "Villa Reale" and its huge and famous "Monza Park" where it is possible, weather permitting, to have a picnic, rent a bike, see the racetrack where the Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place.
It is the ideal place if you looking for "nature" near Milan.

Monza is close to Milan. You can reach it by public transport or by car. I recommend visiting this city you will not be disappointed.

Where to stay in Monza.

DAY TRIPS FROM MILAN

2. Vigevano: 50km from Milan.

Duomo: Vigevano square

The Ducal square, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, lies in the medieval city of Vigevano. To best admire it, you are advised to climb the Tower of Bramante. The 100 steps to arrive at the top and see the panorama below are worth the effort. From the Ducal Square you can access the castle of the Sforzas, still under restoration; the riding stables and the gardens are accessible and are worth a visit just to relax in a Renaissance location.

If you need:

Map of all the sites mentioned in this article

WHAT TO SEE NEAR MILAN

3. The Versailles of the Lombardy

Chignolo Castle, Pavia: 60 km from the downtown of Milan.

Pic of Luca Giarelli -His own work- CC BY - SA 3.0

If you want to spend the afternoon admiring Tiepolo's frescoes, the Procacci Castle is the place for you. The castle it is not well known (it is a private property and often used as wedding location) but in spite of this it's worth a visit: it is big, monumental and the interior rooms are well preserved. The visits are guided.

Short trips from Milan

4. SONCINO

Soncino, Cremona: 70 km from Milan Central station.

Soncino Castle by night

You're going to see over the small village in Soncino, the beautiful and majestic Rocca Sforzesca, the basement, the mill and the Museum of printing. Visit the castle costs 5€ (2017 prices) without guidance. The castle is empty inside but is well preserved.


TIP: to enjoy the medieval climate you can arrange a visit to Soncino medieval fantasy festival that occurs once every year or make a "night visit" to the Dungeon of the fortress. Very impressive.

Beautiful Cremona

If you want to prolong your tour, you can visit the city of Cremona with its beautiful churches: the baptistery, the Cathedral, the monastery, the Cathedral square and, for enthusiasts, the Museum of the violin.

TOURS AND TRIPS FROM MILAN

5. Bellagio

Bellagio: 70 km from Milan Central station.

Bellagio is a tourist country and therefore quite expensive. Car park (few), restaurants and entrance to Villa Melzi are not the cheapest. However, if you want to enjoy a romantic day, with your partner, a visit to this country is required (you can also arrive by ferry).


Bellagio what to see: 


1. The Villa Melzi gardens in the months in which they are open long, are worth a visit. Different varieties of plants and flowers make the Park a very relaxing place, colorful, fragrant and pleasant. Nice panoramic view of the Lake.

Photo: Pinterest: Bellagio.

2. Basilica di San Giacomo Romanesque church with Baroque notes due to a remodel done in that period with various works of art inside. You will see it walking through the Center.


3. Villa Serbelloni on tour of villa Serbelloni provides only a visit to the Park and not the building. The visit is only accessible with a guide. The beauty lies in glimpses and views that can be seen from the top of the park. The guided tour is on foot and takes about 1 hour.

4. Navigating Lake Como. In front of Bellagio, on the other side of the Lake of Como, there are 2 villas that recommend you visit: Villa Balbianello and Villa Carlotta (the first one I loved more than the second). If you want to prolong your visit you can take a boat to visit Lake Como and the famous villas.

More info in this post:

SHORT TOUR FROM MILAN

6. ZAVATTARELLO

Zavattarello, Pavia: 90 km from Milan Central.

You can spend an enjoyable Sunday in the heart of Oltrepo Pavese strolling in the streets of the old town of Zavattarello with an additional visit to Verme Castle found on a promontory with a beautiful and relaxing view which is lost among vineyards and hills.

Unfortunately this castle was completely burned down during the Second World War but was subsequently reconstructed and now is now fully open from late March to the beginning of April every year.

The guided tour of the castle takes around 1 hour.

Foto da Pinterest. Castello del Verme, Pavia.

TIP: To drop even more in the medieval atmosphere, you can attend to the "medieval days" where is possible attend like a spectator to the historical evocation. Usually this event is held on the 15th of August - a public holiday. There are many interesting events planned as the "the mystery tour", concerts and shows ...

Related articles: 

• Other 6 places to see near Milan.

Well, that's everything for this week. Now you have several ideas at your disposal for your holiday in Nord Italy in Lombardy. Please, help me to promote the beauty of Lombardy by sharing this article. Thanks 😍