Insider Pavia

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

The Tre Laghi Park? “A riot of colours”. Borgo Ticino? “It's our Burano”. The Lomellina under the snow? “A surprise”. So says a special guide who knows the Pavese area very well.

Our Insider? Scila Mazzoleri. Passionate about photography, especially travel photography since childhood, she likes to reveal the treasures of her local area through her Instagram profile. Pavia? “It's my second home. I share my coffees, croissants and focaccia with her... Slow Mondays and Fridays that end with an aperitif in the square... I love Pavia and in return she reveals wonders to me”. Discover her advice to experience Pavese in all its nuances.

To discover other destinations outside the usual routes follow #INSIDERinLombardia on the social networks. With us, apart from Scila, there is a large team of “photo ambassadors” invited to tell you about cities, mountains, lakes, villages, first-hand experiences.

Ps If you live in Lombardy, you love photography and also want to become an #INSIDERinLombardia, send us your application!

Here are Scila’s tips (on Instagram for those who are curious at @sm.turandot).

Gravellona and the Parco dei Tre Laghi: art, nature and fantasy — “Wear walking boots and don't forget your camera: in autumn you mustn’t miss the show offered by the Parco dei Tre Laghi at Gravellona Lomellina, one of the “painted villages”. Since the 1990s, the walls of its houses have been painted with murals that reproduce nineteenth-century works of art: it offers an open-air museum, complete with an audio guide on your phone!”

A walk through medieval Lomello — “The treasure here is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the most excellent examples of Lombard Romanesque architecture. But even just a stroll through the cobbled streets of the village will give you great emotions, making you feel catapulted into the age of knights, ladies, jesters, archers and falconers, kings and queens. At the beginning of June, don’t miss the historical re-enactment of the marriage between Queen Teodolinda and Agilulfo, Duke of Turin.”

University of Pavia, a glorious university — “Those who, like me, studied in Pavia, will have the University forever in their heart. The university in Corso Strada Nuova is one of the oldest universities in Europe; here they taught people of the calibre of Alessandro Volta and Ugo Foscolo. Walking under its arcades is a real privilege! If you want to know more, I recommend a visit to the Museo per la Storia dell’Università. Among the treasures are the anatomical drawings by Antonio Scarpa, produced in the second half of the eighteenth century.”

Piazza Ducale in Vigevano, the drawing room of Italy — “If you want to have a coffee in the province of Pavia, surrounded by arcades and arches supported by 84 columns with capitals that all differ from each other, then the Piazza Ducale in Vigevano, one of the most beautiful Renaissance squares in Italy, is certainly the perfect place! Three experiences not to be missed? The climb to the Tower, the visit to the museums of the Castle and the Ducal Stables. A short stroll past the historic shops under the arcades rounds off a great trip.”

A dive into nature in the Ticino Park — "Dedicated to those who love taking a dive into nature. Trekking, canoeing, riding, thematic trails... From Vigevano to Bereguardo and on to Pavia, the Ticino Park offers numerous walks suitable for everyone, many practicable even in winter. And here’s one not to be missed: the Ronchi circuit, a route in stages between the municipalities of Vigevano, Gambolò and Borgo San Siro, passing via the "Sentiero delle Farfalle” (the Butterflies path). An itinerary of about 20 km which you can do on a bike, on dirt tracks and trails in the woods.”

Among the picturesque colours of Borgo Ticino — “It's a bit like the little Burano in Venice. Borgo Ticino is the most authentic soul of Pavia: the colourful houses of the fishermen in Via Milazzo, near the Ticino, the artisans' shops and the scents of food emerging from the inns make everything very picturesque. Eating a tasty risotto and drinking good Bonarda while looking at the covered bridge is a real pleasure!”

Fairy-tale Lomellina — “With about 80,000 hectares entirely dedicated to rice fields, Pavia is the Italian capital of rice. In Lomellina in spring there is an unmissable event: the flooding of the countryside.The rice grows thanks to the constant temperature of the soil covered with water. The show is difficult to describe in words, with the mirrors of water shining in the sun. But the Lomellina is also rich in large poplar groves. When it snows they provide another unmissable show.”

Parks to rediscover the wildlife

True sanctuaries dedicated to biodiversity, these nature reserves safeguard Lombardy's wildlife heritage and teach us to respect it

Parks

Park North Milan

The green lung of Milan: woods, meadows and fresh springs

Parks

The mills and the river olona

A path to fully understand the life of the river, which from a natural element becomes strength at the service of man.

Parks

Bosco delle Querce Park

Created by the hand of man, this park offers naturalistic and recreational areas

Parks

Regional Park of Serio

A full immersion in the fluvial environment of the river Serio discovering wetlands of great naturalistic interest

Parks

From Lake Ceresio to Lake Maggiore through Valcuvia

Parks

Sunday at Mincio Regional Park

Parks

Park Bergamask Orobie

In the park that includes a hundred of lakes, both natural and artificial, the ptarmigan and the golden eagle are at home

Parks

Springtime in the Royal Residence and Park of Monza

Parks

The Marmitte dei Giganti in Franscia

Parks

6 parks close to the city

From the green heart of Como to Vanzago Woods, check out 6 parks for day trips

Parks

Valchiavenna Discovering the Giant s Kettle

Parks

St. Martin's Day, chestnuts and wine

North Adda Park: autumn traditions.

Parks

Mincio Park

Along the river Mincio, from Lake Garda to the Po, along foot and cycle paths crossing a mosaic of evocative scenery

Parks

Spina Verde Regional Park

Into the park woods, discovering a rich flora-fauna and architectural heritage

Parks

South Milan Agricultural Park

A green belt around Milan that includes municipalities, with protected areas, itineraries, many initiatives and events

Parks

Regional Park of Mount Netto

Among woods that host monumental plants and agricultural areas cultivated with wheat, barley and corn

Parks

Walking around Milan's southwest agricultural park

Parks

North Grigna Park

The Lake of Lecco on one side and Valsassina on the other of the Park to determine the wealth of habitat and fauna

Parks

Appiano Gentile and Tradate Pinewood Regional Park

A plain-forest, lively and rich in naturalness, in forestry, agricultural and social activities

Parks