Lombardy was one of the first Italian regions that concretely developed the idea of ​​Wine Roads promoting its realization

Scopri la lombardia attraverso i suoi meravigliosi panorami.

Discover the places and flavours of Lombardy and pick the perfect venue for your wedding

From the Basilica of Saints Pietro e Paolo to Villa Cusani Confalonieri, Carate Brianza is a small treasure chest to explore.

The Via Francigena has been the main connection between Rome and Europe for centuries, and it continues to be so today. In fact, in 2004, it was declared a "Great European Cultural Route" by the Council of Europe, and in 2007, it was recognized as a "Reseau porteur," a key network. For the Province of Pavia, the Pavia section of the Via Francigena (as well as the entire route) serves as a model for enhancing and restoring the architectural and environmental heritage of the province's artistic and cultural assets. The Via Francigena is a valuable resource to be shared and offered to pilgrims and tourists alike, as well as to local residents, showcasing the beauty of the churches, monuments, the University, the river, and the forests that define the landscape along the route. The section of the Via Francigena that crosses the Province of Pavia begins in Palestro, in the heart of Lomellina, and reaches Chignolo Po, covering a total of 126 kilometers, which can be completed in three major stages: The first stage, about 42 kilometers long, runs from Palestro to Tromello. The second stage, 32 kilometers, goes from Tromello to Pavia. The final stage, 52 kilometers, extends from Pavia to the hamlet of Lambrinia in Chignolo Po. These three stages mirror the stops made in the Pavia area by Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, on his return journey from Rome. He passed through Santa Cristina Bissone, Pavia, and Tromello, marking them as the 40th, 41st, and 42nd stops of the 79 total stages of the European route. This itinerary is designed for those who love to travel on two wheels. It can be tackled with either mountain bikes or city bikes and does not present significant elevation challenges. The maximum elevation gain is less than 15 meters, with the highest point at 121 meters in Palestro and the lowest at 50 meters in Lambrinia, along the Po River embankment, marking the final stop in the Pavia territory. The starting point is the wooden bridge over the Crocettone canal, marking the border between the provinces of Vercelli and Pavia. In the Province of Pavia, the cycling route runs near two railway lines, the Pavia-Mortara-Vercelli and the Pavia-Codogno-Cremona, both of which allow bike transport. On roads open to motorized traffic, it is recommended to always wear a helmet and to ride preferably between 9:00 and 11:30 AM or between 2:00 and 5:00 PM to avoid peak traffic hours.

Masnago Castle features architecture from many different periods ranging from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. With a tower and splendid frescoed interiors, this mediaeval fortress feels more like a stately home than a defensive stronghold. It is particularly renowned for the series of frescoes in the Room of Pastimes and the Room of Vices and Virtues. Masnago Castle is home to several permanent historical art collections with works by some of Lombardy’s leading modern painters, such as Hayez, Bertini, Cremona, Ranzoni, Pellizza from Volpedo and the first Divisionist work by Balla. It also has an extremely important collection of drawings by Il Piccio that were formerly in the Piero Chiara collection. The castle is surrounded by Parco Mantegazza, a tiny botanical garden. INFO  ADDRESS: via Cola di Rienzo, 42 - Varese OPENING HOURS: november - may: 9.30 am - 12.30 am, 2 pm - 5.30 pm  //  June - october: 10 am - 12:30 am, 2.30 pm - 6.30 pm  //  Third Saturday of the month: untill 10 pm. TICKETS: Full price ticket: € 4  //  Reduced price ticket: € 2 (under 25, groups of minimum 10 people, TCI, FAI)    Dog of small size allowed if hold in arms, in compliance with the hygiene and public safety rules* * Information by the Castle. For any other question please check the guidelines of the Castle AROUND HERE:  Plan your stay and your experience in the land of the lakes. Cover photo: danielechierichetti13

The final stop in our tour of Lodi's natural oases and parks is South Adda Regional Park, a river and agricultural park situated in the territory of Lodi and Cremona along the lower course of the Adda river, for a total area of 230 square kilometres.   This fairy-tale place can be explored through various marked cycle paths following paved roads, dirt tracks and stretches of pre-existing path, linked up by bridges crossing over the river. In addition to discovering historical, natural and religious sites, these routes give visitors the chance to admire works of human ingenuity such as the hydraulic structure of the Muzza and Vacchelli irrigation canals.      Among South Adda Park's points of interest, don't miss the so-called Trail of the Dragonflies, a route designed for schoolchildren that is sure to delight visitors of all ages with its many butterfly species. Equally deserving of mention is the Villa Pompeiana Park Centre (village of Villa Pompeiana - Zelo Buon Persico): the deconsecrated country church was renovated and repurposed as a park centre with a green area. Inside, visitors will find a series of explanatory panels for environmental education. Be sure not to leave the Park without dropping into the Castiglione d'Adda Visitor Centre. Not far from the oriented natural reserve of Adda Morta - Lanca della Rotta stands a rural building outside which a large aviary was built for the White Stork Reintroduction Project, now inhabited by this beautiful species. Set in the reserve's wetlands and accessible by a short walk is the Turtle Reintroduction Centre.  

Christmas dinner in Lombardy: the most famous dishes of the region's festive culinary tradition, from starter to dessert