Rediscover Christmas with a brand new look at the towns and villages of Lombardy. Enchanted atmospheres and the magic of ice.

Pavia, Vigevano, the Oltrepò countryside, the villages. Discover seven tips for a special “local” trip.

  For the third stage of our tour of the villages of Lake Lugano, we move on to San Mamete, an authentic picture-postcard spot located not far from Castello and Oria.            Forming a stunning triangle with the other two small villages on Lake Lugano, this tiny centre is known as "the village on the water" because of its highly unique location: it is a place that offers the opportunity to eat and sleep directly on the lake.     You can explore it in half an hour, and then sit by the lake in the picturesque square, under the porticos on the water and next to the jetty - where you can dive into the water and where tourist boats moor. It is practically forbidden to leave San Mamete without taking advantage of the trays of focaccia and cakes from its panoramic bakery. (Ph: stylosophy.it)

An out-of-town excursion to Lombardy to discover the surprising open-air works of art scattered throughout the jewel-like villages of the Lecco and Como areas. Find out more.

From the neoclassical villas to the wildest forests, the landscapes of the Lake Como region and the trees they contain enchant with their variety.

Discover Pavese – Enjoy an autumn weekend of tradition, culture and flavour among the most charming villages of the Oltrepò Pavese. Take a look at this list of ideas and get inspired.

The "Little Tuscany" of Lombardy and its tourist treasures

Set between the lake and the mountains, Brienno is an enchanted village with traditions that are reflected in its streets, steps, and porticoes, which embrace the charming natural surroundings.   Just over half an hour’s drive from Como, Brienno is one of the most charming old villages in the Triangolo Lariano area, directly overlooking the western side of the lake. It looks out onto the enchanting village of Nesso on the opposite shore, creating an area of pure scenic beauty that becomes even more delightful during the festive season. Brienno is transformed into a kingdom of lights and colours, making the most of its houses, narrow streets, steps, and porticoes providing a delightful sight to visitors coming from the lake.  Admiring it in the evening, from the ferries and boats that take passengers to its shores is a truly poetic, immersive experience. Brienno can be reached in less than two hours with ferry no. 13 from Varenna, or you can hire a boat for the journey and enjoy a more private trip. There are also more expensive options that allow you take a tour of many of the towns along the shores of Como, for a cruise of the villages and their lights. From the old spinning factory to the Church of San Nazaro and San Celso, perched on a rock spur that rises steeply from the lake, Brienno offers stunning views that are enhanced with more and more details as you approach it from the lake.  Once in its streets, you can breathe in the centuries of tradition that accompany its history. The passages, panoramic views and balconies over the lake are brightly lit and even more magical during the festive period, from late November to January, when the markets under the porticoes and Christmas decorations in the streets turn Brienno into an open-air Nativity scene. 

Borgo Santa Caterina is among the most beautiful boroughs in Italy.

Lake Como landscapes, villages & gourmet experience

Sites of interest at Tremosine sul Garda