A guide by sarahjm
Excellent northern Italian food hidden in a pretty courtyard off Corso Cavour. Food ranging from simple (salad of rocket, parmesan, pears and walnuts) to Veronese specials (polenta with horsemeat ragu). Only expensive by local standards.
Corte Sgarzarie 14/A;
tel: 045 800 0312;
Closed Monday
It is a large apartment in a beautiful part of Monticiano, a village south of Siena in Val di Merse, 15 minutes from petriolo hot springs, 5 minutes from breathtaking Abbey of San Galgano.
We were 7 people and managed to spend a week in a great part of Tuscany with 650 euros for the week! All included!
Monticiano, Siena. www.casagigliola.it
Lake Iseo lies between Bergamo and Brescia in Lombardy in northern Italy. It is smaller and not so well known as Lake Como and Lake Garda. This is part of the reason why it appeals to me, as it is not so commercialised and is better value for money. Lake Iseo is home to the largest island in a lake in Europe, Monte Isola. No cars are allowed on the island, so it is ideal for walking or cycling. There are many pretty towns and villages around the lakeside. The scenery is very dramatic with sheer sheets of limestone at one point on the western bank and the Pyramids of Zone, earth pinnacles up to 10 metres high, on the eastern side of the lake.
I have written a Guide to Lake Iseo
www.europealacarte.co.uk/italy/iseo
Molina is a medieval village at the junction between three valleys in steep wooded mountainside about half an hour from Negrar. The village itself is charming. The old houses reflect the style of the western Lessinia, and its botanical museum in the main square has a fine exhibition of local flora.
But the main attraction is the walk down to the park for breathtaking views of the walls of nude rock and the roaring waterfalls. For the bravest we recommend a play on the swing which takes you right up to one of the waterfalls. Pay for your ticket in the village before you start the walk downhill (it costs a 50 cents less that way, the full price is 3 euros). You should wear good walking shoes - it can be slippery and bear in mind that when you get down to the last waterfall, you've got a long walk back up again. There is a bar at the beginning of the walk so anyone who prefers to can stay there and wait for the others to return.
And to finish off the day why not have a look at some local produce in the little shop and try the friendly and reasonably priced restaurant in the main square. We recommend it!
Bit of a rip-off to see the balcony and statue of Juliet. You have to pay to go up the stairs to the museum, if that’s what you can call it - very sparse, and so busy that you’re lucky to get a picture on you own on the balcony. Graffiti everywhere on the arches as you go in and chewing gum - yuk! not worth the trek.
Via Cappello 21-23, south of Piazza delle Erbe, in the Old Town Just follow the crowds of tourists - you cannot miss it.
Lake Garda is great for water sports, and is near to Milan and Verona (Romeo and Juliet, you star crossed lovers out there).
Also, you can go skiing in the Dolomites (about an hour and a half away).
Enjoy the hospitality of an Italian/English family. Negrar is well known for the production of Valpolicella wine, including top of the market 'Amarone' and 'Recioto'. It is only 10 km from Verona, with its opera season in the Arena (June to August) and its jazz festival in the Roman Theatre in June. It is also convenient for Verona’s Trade Fairs, including the world-famous Vinitaly and the International Exhibition of Marble, Stone and Technology; it is only half an hour from Lake Garda and is convenient for travelling to Venice by train.
A wonderful experience even if you've never been to an opera before. For the cheapest seats get there early and take a picnic - enjoy watching the glitterati take their seats! Take binoculars for a close-up view, hire a cushion and take a fan.
Verona Opera is in the centre of the city.
For activities, unspoilt nature and dramatic scenery.
A 16km lake nestled into the lower Alps, with the largest inland Island in Europe.
Ferry boats, windsurfing, golf, canoeing, multi-pool complex and many other activities.
Value for money and no tourist bussle.
Just north of Bergamo (Milan Bergamo airport is a Ryanair hub). Activities guide www.monticolo.it/activitieslakeiseovallecamonica.html
It is a food lovers dream. Mountains of Meats, cheeses, oils, sauces, fresh vegetables, fresh pasta, pastries and wines. The staff are friendly. You just pick what you want at a stall and are issued a ticket. Take all your tickets to the cashier, pay, then go back to the stalls to collect your foods.
I only wish my suitcase was bigger.
Via Spadari, not far from Duomo Piazza.
When I first visited Bergamo I found myself wondering why I'd never heard of it before.
Verona, Bologna, Naples are all of international renown yet Bergamo has something very special to offer, which for me eclipses the beauty of many other cities.
In simple terms, the lack of fame makes it quieter and less tourist-infested and, in addition, it's not a big city so less crowded but it's more than that of course.
So here are my 5 reasons to visit Bergamo.
1) The walled high town with its castle, university, cable car, cobbled streets, pedestrian area and varied restaurants offering beautiful views out over the plains of northern Italy
2) The excellent shopping area to be found in the low town.
3) The superb location, 10 mins from Milan Bergamo airport (Ryanair Hub) and 40 mins by train from Milan.
4) The hinterland that includes lakes, mountains and varied activities.
5) Its history and culture rival that of any other Italian town (perhaps with the exception of Milan, Florence and Rome).
I have written a destination guide at www.monticolo.it/bergamoguide.html
40 mins by train from Milan
10 mins from Milan Bergamo airport.
20 Mins from Lake iseo
Milan (Bergamo) Airport is miles from Milan but only 5km from the insanely beautiful and romantic Bergamo. Stay in the Citta' Alta and dine at La Colombina: small, local, friendly, delicious trattoria. Tricky to find but well worth it. Plenty of other things to see, do and eat as well.
La Colombina, Via Borgo Canale, 12, Bergamo Alta. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
This is a branch of Milan’s Salumaio di Montenapoleone and the right place to eat authentic Italian food in a city that boasts a plethora of Italian restaurants. Try their exquisite dishes and their fabulous desserts sitting in their wonderful patio on a warm spring evening in Athens. Sheer happiness.
Panagitsas Street, Kifissia
The Castello Sofrzesco, an easy walk from the Duomo, was largely rebuilt during the 19th-century, so there is little left of the original medieval structure, but it now hosts an array of exhibitions. All of these can be visited for as little as three euros per person, under-18s get in free.
Piazza Castello, subway line 1 (red), Cairoli stop; www.milanocastello.it/ita/home.html
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