Where to go from Milan by car. Excursions around Milan and its regions. Gallery Vittorio Emanuele II

Districts of Milan: where to stay with a child and to visit museums, the safest and most unfavorable districts of Milan. Reviews from tourists and expert advice about the districts of Milan on the “Subtleties of Tourism”.

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Today's Milan consists of 9 administrative districts. From the historical center, which is entirely included in the first zone, the remaining zones diverge like petals from the center of a flower. Districts are numbered clockwise, starting from the northeast.

1st zone: historical center

The heart of the district is the grandiose Gothic-style cathedral, the Duomo. The neighborhoods around it are replete with cultural, historical and architectural attractions - the Royal Palace, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Galleria Ambrosiana, the famous La Scala Theatre. To the north of the Duomo lies the Golden Quadrilateral of Milan - the center of gravity of world fashion.

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In the Fiera area there is the famous Monumental Cemetery, whose tombstones are considered the richest in Europe. Milan's Teatown is adjacent to the cemetery - immigrants from China settled here 100 years ago. This zone includes the largest exhibition complex in Europe, Fiera Milano, where international exhibitions and fashion shows are held. Not far from it is the Mecca of FC Milan fans - CASA MILAN (office site in English).

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9th zone: Porta Garibaldi, Niguarda

This is the northernmost part of Milan. The Porta Garibaldi quarter included in it was once a working outskirts, but now it is a central and prestigious area. Here you can find real old Milanese streets with cozy antique shops. They strive to preserve the atmosphere of antiquity - shop windows and signs on Corso Garibaldi look the same as they did 50 years ago.

The district is home to the unusual residential complex “Vertical Forest” - the open terraces of its skyscrapers are densely landscaped with trees and shrubs.

Milan is not only the fashion capital of the world. This Italian city is filled with incredible sights. Medieval architecture, luxurious shops, narrow winding streets, delicious ice cream... And from the roof of the famous cathedral you can see a panorama of the entire city! All this attracts many tourists. But after seeing the city enough and walking through the famous shops, most tourists wonder: “Where to go from Milan?”

There is a lot to see in Bergamo. The historical walls stretch for five kilometers, surrounding the old city and the medieval architecture located in it. You can also get to the upper part of the city by funicular. The Cathedral of St. Mary Maggiore and the Colleoni Chapel are located here. The surrounding area of ​​the city is also worth visiting, with its hills stretching all the way to distant Lake Como.

You can travel from Milan to the Franciacorta wine region. Here you can taste award-winning wines. You can even meet wine producers and they will tell you about the process of producing this drink. And in the winery boutique you can buy something special.

And if you cross the border, you can visit the Swiss city of Lugano, admiring the picturesque Alps along the way.

Garda is the largest and most famous lake in Italy. It can be reached by train, which passes through the beautiful Lombardy countryside. Here you can not only take a cruise on the lake, but also visit the coastal cities of Sirmione and Desenzano.
Sirmione is considered the pearl of the lake. Tourists will be interested in visiting the fortress, the Roman villa and the caves of Catullus. And in the port of Desenzano there is an impressive medieval castle.

Photo: By Janericloebe, from Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Photo: HarryFabel/pixabay (CC0 Creative Commons)

Photo: meineresterampe/pixabay (CC0 Creative Commons)

Shakespeare's Verona certainly deserves attention. Walking through the ancient streets of the city immortalized in his play, you can see Juliet's balcony. But not only Shakespearean heroes glorified Verona.
A Roman amphitheater built in the first century AD has been preserved here. And in the city center, Mercato Square is interesting.

Genoa, Italy's largest port, attracts tourists with its monuments and old town, which is partly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking along the coastline takes you to the colorful villages of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. Here you will see fishing boats bobbing on the water.

Who would have thought that just a few hours from Milan lies the glorious alpine scenery of Interlaken? Once you take the train, after some time you will find yourself in another world. You will be surrounded by towering peaks, mountain lakes and gorgeous green countryside.

Photo: BazzaBoy/pixabay (CC0 Creative Commons)

For everyone who loves to travel and explore new cities, we offer interesting places where you can get closer. To make it more convenient to move around the surrounding area, rent a car in advance. Take advantage.

Morimondo

Located between Pavia and Milan, this small town is the ideal place to combine a stroll. The most important attractions of the village are the monastery and the abbey. The monastery was built and blessed by French monks and its monastery is the heart of this town. At the foot of the abbey lies the wonderful valley of Ticino Park. Take a walk here, we especially recommend the Ginestre forest, a wonderful place for picnics. Book your hotel in Morimondo using this link.

Tip: If you want to relax and try farm cuisine, we recommend Cascina Caremma.

Pavia

When you arrive in Pavia, visit the historic center near the famous Covered Bridge and check out the charming monasteries of the university. Find an apartment nearby. After a cultural visit, head to the Oasis of Sant'Alessio, a beautiful garden between the Basilica of Sant'Alessio and the Basilica of Santa Sabina where you can enjoy wildlife, just 6 km from the city.

Vigevano

After Pavia, head to the medieval village of Vigevano, renowned for its charm, just 40 km from Milan. This town is worth spending an extra couple of days on, so choose suitable accommodation in advance using the link.

Vigevano is a place of beauty and legend, its square, Piazza Ducale is breathtaking, and Castello Sforzesco is a complex of buildings whose perimeter extends to the highest point of the city. It has preserved underground roads to this day; they are divided into two large sections, located near Piazza Ducale, where exhibitions and events are held all year round. The city is famous for its international shoe museum in the Sforzesco Vigevano castle on the ground floor. Immediately at the entrance there is a multimedia room entirely dedicated to Duchess Beatrice d'Este, this is the pearl of the collection. You can visit the museum for free.

Como

The city is located less than an hour's drive from Milan, and is considered one of the most... It is rich in luxurious villas and large landscaped gardens, beautiful old houses, interesting streets and alleys that end in the historical center. If you want to stay here for a couple of days, we will help you find accommodation using the link. From April to November, take a boat ride to Bellagio, located on the central cape. Visit here Villa Serbelloni, a magnificent sixteenth-century residence surrounded by the vast Brunate Park. To get to Brunate, take the funicular, which passes at an altitude of 716 meters. You will see many signs to help you find your way: the lighthouse, the Voltiano huts, the Church of St. Maurice. From here you can enjoy stunning views, admire the Alpine park and Brianza with its lakes.

The Hermitage is a monastic complex built in 1170, when Alberto Besozzi, a merchant of territories, escaped a shipwreck on the lake and decided to devote his life to penance, becoming a hermit. The monastery consists of three stone buildings. The southern one is open to the public and has the oldest refectory and a shop that sells handicrafts from the monks. The monastery itself is home to Benedictine monks, and the church is the largest part of the complex, with frescoes completely covering the walls. Landscape lovers in Santa Caterina will be delighted by the views of the Piedmont coast of Lake Maggiore. To stay in these parts for a short time, select apartments in advance; you can book them using the link.

A visit to Santa Caterina del Sasso takes about an hour and is free. You can get to the Hermitage on foot (about 280 steps) or by elevator (1 euro).

Legnano

Legnano is located approximately 20 km from Milan.

It is a city of history and culture, industrial and commercial innovation. Palio City and Castle Park are prime examples of urban woodland in Italy, covering approximately 22 hectares and lined with old poplar trees along the cliffs. The symbol of Legnano, the Visconteo Castle is a fortress on an island in the Olona River. Be sure to visit the Church of Sant'Ambrogio, and in the Legnano area - Alto Milanese Park. Where is the best place to stay in Legnano? We'll tell you.

Village of Crespi d'Adda

From the Milano-Bergamo motorway, visit Crespi d'Adda. This agglomerate was built in the late 1800s on the basis of the Crespi textile factory. An avant-garde idea for those times was to improve the well-being of factory workers. Admire small residential houses and larger executive homes. There are also government offices, schools, hospitals, theaters and churches. Look for a beautiful house where you can relax after walking, book in advance.

Bergamo

It is probably the most famous town in Lombardy, and thanks to its proximity to Milan, many travelers stop here. Orio al Serio.

It's a large city with a magnificent historic center, ideal for spending a few days enjoying culture and nature, or simply having a good time while waiting for your next flight. Even if you only have a couple of hours, the town is worth your time. Find your ideal apartment. It is divided into two parts - Bergamo Alta and Bergamo Bassa. It's better to start from the top, and be sure to visit the historical center. You can get to the hill using a cable car.

After exploring Bergamo Alta, we recommend immediately visiting Bergamo Bassa, an old district modernized in modern times. The best way to feel the life of this place is to go through the "Sentierone" - ideal for entertainment and at the same time an example of art and history. An elegant part of the town, with an amazing architectural complex that is used by an old trade fair. Don't miss the beautiful Piazza Dante, decorated with the "Triton Fountain" and the "Fountain of the Fairs". If you love art, head to the majestic Church of St. Bartholomew and St. Stephen, where you can admire the famous "Diamond of Martenengo", painted by Lorenzo Lotto in the 16th century.

Monza

Monza and its province can offer its visitors the right balance between leisure and culture, between relaxation and sport. Look at the link for the perfect apartment to stay here for a few days, because the program will be extensive. Starting from the historical center, first visit the Duomo with its museum, where treasures such as pearls and precious stones are kept. A stroll through the streets lined with elegant shops will lead you to the Reggia di Monza, made up of Villas Reale, Gardens and Park. Villa Reale has several temporary and permanent exhibitions on the top floor, which offers magnificent views of the park. You can spend a week in this park and not get bored. We recommend visiting the Autodromo Nazionale Monza - this is the third racing circuit in the world, built on the territory of the Royal Villa of Monza in a wooded area. Plus check out the Speed ​​Museum, it collects information about cars, their drivers and the events they took part in. The main events in the museum's calendar, in addition to the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix, are the Monza Rally Show in December and the Special Rally Circuit in November.

Have a nice trip!

Milan is located in the northern part of Italy. It is the administrative center of Lombardy, as well as the financial, economic and fashion capital of the country. In addition to attractions, it is famous for shopping.

Many people come here to visit nearby cities near Milan:

• Bergamo;
• Pavia;
• Monza;
• Venice;
• Turin;
• Lugano (Switzerland);
• Zurich (Switzerland).

How to get to the city center

There are direct flights from Russia to the city. When buying tickets, please note that there are four airports for Milan:

• Malpensa is the main destination for international airlines;
• Linate is the closest to the center;
• Bergamo is an additional one, located 45 km from the city;
• Parma - 100 km.

Leaving Malpensa is easy by taking the Malpensa Express train. It leaves once every half hour. Time to Milan is 40 minutes. A ticket will cost 12 EUR. The train stops at Central Station and also in Cadorna. You can get from the main airport to the city center by bus. The interval between flights is 20 minutes. The ticket costs 10-15 EUR. Time to the center is minimum 40 minutes. You can get stuck in a traffic jam and then the journey will take more than an hour.

Linate Airport is located 7 km from central Milan. The easiest way to get there is by city bus No. 73.

It is more difficult to get to from other airports. Requires transplants. Renting a car is only beneficial if you plan to drive it around the area.

However, many people prefer to get around by public transport. Since it is combined into one system. Travel tickets are inexpensive. For example, an unlimited ticket for a day costs 4.50 EUR. With it you can change from one type of transport to another. Decide on the number of trips and buy a ticket for an hour or a day. They are sold in vending machines near the metro, tobacco and newsstands.

IMPORTANT! Do not forget to validate your ticket in a special machine in transport, otherwise you may be fined.

Districts of Milan

The history of the city of Milan dates back to 400 BC. Due to its advantageous location between the Roman Empire and Europe, the city prospered and was attacked.

It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. It was ruled by the Romans, French, Spaniards, and Austrians. All this left its mark on the urban architecture of Milan's districts.

Historical Center. It is here that the Gothic Duomo Cathedral rises and the ancient shopping arcade, the Gallery of Victor Emmanuel II, is located.

Corso Venice located in the central part. It is an elegant area. Filled with numerous boutiques, cafes, and park areas for recreation.

Magenta. A privileged area for local residents. You won’t see a huge flow of visitors here. Despite the fact that this is where the Church of St. Maria della Grazia is located. In the church you can see the famous work of Leonardo da Vinci “The Last Supper”.

Vercelli- a place for active recreation. Contains a huge variety of shops, restaurants and other entertainment venues.

Corso Sempione. A favorite place for Italians to spend a soulful time. People come here to drink wine, chat with friends, admire the Mira Arch or go to the central park.

Naviglia- the center of nightlife. It is located between two channels. During the day it serves as a place of work for artisans. In the evening it turns into an entertainment venue. On weekends, Naviglia hosts famous antique markets.

Ticinese- an area famous for the Columns of San Lorenzo. The shops sell vintage items. The walls of buildings are decorated with graffiti. Street cafes sell takeaway food.

Brera- the bohemian part of Milan. Here you can find shops of skilled craftsmen, designer boutiques, and modern galleries. The main museum of Milan is located - the Pinacoteca.

Garibaldi- the most modern area of ​​the city. Consists of futuristic skyscrapers. Symbolizes the financial success of Milan. Nightlife takes place on Como Street.

Izola is located next to the Central Station. Not so long ago it was an industrial zone. Now it’s a haven for creative people. Filled with showrooms and various museums.

Milan also has streets of immigrants, dangerous criminals. Walking in these areas, especially in the evening, may be unsafe:

• Corso Bueno Aires;
• Barona;
• Baggio;
• Quarto Jaro;
• surroundings of the Central Station.

Now you have a fairly accurate description of the city of Milan.

Milan Tourist Ticket

The city is truly considered a paradise for tourists. The sites are dotted with all kinds of tours and excursions. It is especially convenient that you can choose a Russian guide in advance.

If you decide to travel on your own, then you simply need a guest card - MilanoCard. Its advantages:

• free travel on public transport;
• free or heavily discounted admission to approximately 20 city museums;
• special prices for entertainment venues, restaurants, shops. The list contains about 500 companies.

There are several types of MilanoCard:

• for 24 hours it costs 7 EUR;
• for 3 days - 19 EUR;
• extended. Provides additional excursions. Use of a tourist bus. Price depends on included options.

You can order a card on the official website official website. Pay its cost using a bank card or via PayPal.

You can pick it up at the airport, train station or hotel. You choose the place yourself. The card is issued in your name. It cannot be transferred to another person. A nice bonus - children under 10 years old receive a card for free.

Individual excursions for groups of up to 4 people are very popular. They are convenient because you don’t have to look for attractions; the price includes the services of a Russian guide.

Sightseeing car tour offers to visit the sights of Milan by car. Part of the excursion can be done on foot if you wish. You choose your own places of pilgrimage. Usually the price includes:

• Duomo;
• Sforza Castle;
• Gallery Vittorio Emanuele II;
• Ambrosian Gallery;
• Gallery of Contemporary Art;
• Golden Quadrilateral of Milan;
• La Scala;
• Monument to the Middle Finger;
• Poldi Pezzoli Museum;
• Cathedral Square of Milan;
• San Siro Stadium.

An additional entrance fee to the Cathedral is 2 EUR per person. The total cost of the sightseeing tour for 4 people is 195 EUR.

Milan is a city of fashion. The next excursion will appeal to lovers of ready-to-wear and shopping.
Sightseeing tour into the world of fashion will show you the true chic of Italy. You will visit designer stores, concept stores, exclusive furniture and accessories boutiques. The walking tour will last 3-5 hours through the Brera district and the Golden Quadrilateral of Milan.

REFERENCE. The Golden Quadrilateral is a high fashion district in the northern part of Milan. Includes streets lined with boutiques of famous couturiers and jewelers.

For an individual sightseeing tour into the brilliant world of fashion you will pay 100-150 EUR.

Excursions around the city

If you come to the city for a few days, you can attend excursions in nearby towns.

Monza- the third largest city in Lombardy, famous for:

• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist;
• the Museum of the Iron Crown, which houses the Crown of the Ancient Kingdom of Italy;
• Formula 1 circuit.

The sightseeing walking tour of Monza lasts 3 hours.

IMPORTANT! Bare-shouldered people are not allowed into the Cathedral. Take a scarf or shawl with you. Excessively bare legs are also prohibited.

Lugano is located 70 km from Milan. The city is an opportunity to experience Switzerland in miniature.
The main attraction of Lugano is the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. It has a lot of frescoes and bas-reliefs from the Renaissance. There are Torricelli paintings and Rococo sculptures. The highlight of the Cathedral is “The Last Supper” by a student of Leonardo da Vinci himself.
The excursion will last 3-8 hours. You can get to Lugano by train or car.

Milan is a city of contrasts. Historical buildings in it coexist with futuristic giants of skyscrapers. The diverse and unique city of fashion attracts not only tourists, but also shopaholics. The proximity to other cities will not let even the most demanding traveler get bored.

Italy is an amazing country with beautiful nature and cultural heritage. The number of masterpieces of art per square kilometer of this relatively small country is more than in any country in the world!
Milanweek is experimenting with new formats and giving a platform to talented guys. This time Arina Karabanova, a photographer, will share her tips with us and tell us about the surroundings of Milan.

The most popular and largest cities in Italy are known to everyone; these are Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, resort areas of Italy, etc. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to fly around and visit all these legendary cities. If you are lucky enough to visit only one major city in Italy, and there is no time or opportunity to see others, this in no way means that you will have to limit yourself to only one city.

Italy is very rich in historically interesting and picturesque medieval small towns in the vicinity of large centers, which, unfortunately, tourists are not very aware of. And they deserve no less attention.
I was lucky, once in Milan, to also visit the cities surrounding it, which impressed no less than Milan itself.

Milan is surrounded by many not just medieval, but ancient cities that have preserved their historical face, charm and traditions that have individual characteristics. Even cities located very close have differences, from customs to cuisine. It is impossible to cover everything in a short period of time, but if you have a couple of days left in addition to visiting Milan, you should definitely visit at least some of them, which will not be particularly burdensome on your wallet, but will leave an indelible impression.

If you have a couple of free days, I can suggest the following route:
the first day- the city of Pavia, founded in the 5th century! (this is only 35 km from Milan) and the medieval monastery of Certosa di Pavia located between Milan and Pavia. The journey will take you about 40 minutes both by bus and by train from Milan. Transport runs from all major bus stations in the city and the railway station.

Second day, these are the cities of Monza, Como and Lecco (located on average 35 km from Milan, and at an average distance of 40 km from each other). I will write about these cities and distances below.

And now let's start, perhaps, with the city of Pavia.

The city is located on the banks of the large Ticino River, which irrigates numerous fields around where rice and grapes are grown, which can be seen from the bus window - endless picturesque fields surrounded by small settlements with unique houses and cafes. In the Middle Ages, this river gave Pavia great power and wealth, making it a major junction at the intersection of trade routes, which competed with Milan.

The two largest cities of their time were constantly at odds and raided each other. The power of Pavia is evidenced by the fact that it was here that Charlemagne and Frederick Barbarossa were crowned. The city is incredibly cozy with its narrow streets, cobbled paths, and ancient buildings. Walking along the main street that leads to the covered arched bridge of the 14th century, standing on the site of an ancient bridge from the Roman Empire era (its remains can still be seen), it seems that you are lost in time and would not be surprised by a knight passing by and banners hanging on the houses cities. This feeling crowns the fortress of the Visconti of the 14th century, the rulers of Milan, whose power the proud inhabitants of Pavia had to recognize and submit to.

Visconti, by the way, founded the oldest university in Europe in the city. You can walk freely in its courtyards. There you will be greeted by arched vaults painted with solar patterns - symbols of the Sforza and Visconti families; along the vaults there are statues of learned men, and I must say all this creates a reverent feeling and respect for the temple of science. Due to the presence of the most popular university in the country in the city, Pavia has a lot of young people from all over the world, all sorts of cultural projects are held, a constant movement that gives the city a special energy.

For shopping lovers, let me clarify that in the ancient streets there are many fashionable, relatively inexpensive shops. Milanese love to come here for shopping, so that they can stroll through shops that are not crowded with crowds of tourists, away from the bustle of the big city, in a cozy atmosphere.

The city has many attractions, of which one cannot fail to mention the city cathedral, which took 410 years to build (Italians in general are not in a big hurry to build cathedrals), which ranks 3rd in height in Italy!

And I will especially highlight the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore (11-12 centuries), in honor of the Archangel Michael, in which Barbarossa was crowned. The church was built from sandstone according to the strictest canons. From the outside it looks like an ancient, dead structure. Due to the softness of the sandstone, the facade decorated with sculptures has almost been erased, leaving only the silhouettes of fantastic creatures and the outlines of figures, which creates a mystical feeling as if the church has risen from the ruins of past centuries.

The impression changes dramatically when you get inside. The church is so ancient that it is a unique example of the combination of the Christian religion with pre-Christian ideas, the image of saints on a par with pagan monsters, devils, demons, hollowed out in the dark walls and columns of this amazing church. The remains of incredibly realistic frescoes with images of faces look out at you from the walls. In addition, low lighting, for greater preservation of the heritage, gives both a mystical and sublime feeling. The Basilica is definitely worth a visit and a look at all the gargoyles that live there. It is very difficult to remain indifferent.

The next point on the route is Monastery of the Certosa di Pavia. From Pavia you can get there by bus or train in 5-10 minutes. It is believed that the city and the monastery are connected by an underground passage, but historians have not yet confirmed or refuted these guesses. The beauty and uniqueness of the monastery is evidenced by the fact that it is included in the UNESCO list.

An amazing architectural ensemble with sharp turrets and roofs, which can easily be called one of the most beautiful in Europe, just 8 km from Milan. It is built from various types of marble, which gives it pink, blue and white shades that change depending on the lighting. The “carved” facade seems to be made of ivory, all covered with statues, medallions and angels, floral patterns and bas-reliefs (with images, by the way, not always of Christian figures, for example, Roman emperors), which, in combination with various shades of marble, creates an amazing feeling of airiness.

The interior decoration of the monastery is in no way inferior to the facade (where, unfortunately, photography is not allowed, but you can still find many high-quality photographs on the Internet) - the sky-colored vaults are decorated with scattered golden stars. The hall has many sculptures and paintings. Despite the fact that some of the works from this monastery are in museums around the world, its wealth is amazing.

An interesting fact: one of the architects was the son of Pietro Solari, who created the faceted chamber and towers of the Moscow Kremlin. The legend of the founding of the monastery is also beautiful. The Duke of Milan G. Visconti III and his wife wanted a son so much that they promised at his birth to build a monastery in honor of the Virgin Mary. A son was born to them, and during the struggle for power he got rid of his mother; his father had already died by that time. Nevertheless, the promise was fulfilled, the monastery became one of the richest and most beautiful architectural ensembles of that time and modern times. It also contains a garden and cells of monks, whose order demanded renunciation of worldly vanity and conversation, to achieve which, even for eating, in order to avoid communication, windows were made in the doors, where a plate was inserted, and communication took place with the help of notes.

Now the monastery belongs to another order - the Cistercians, whose philosophy is, among other things, the renunciation of luxury and excesses, which, however, did not prevent them from becoming the engine of the economy in France and England. For example, they own the famous brand of French wine Chablis. The entire complex of the monastery surprises with its majesty and lightness at the same time. With an abundance of sculptures and paintings, it is very light and elegant. Even from a distance, growing on the horizon from the side of the road, it gives the impression of a castle in the air.

It will be interesting to devote the next day to three other cities where the famous Italian novel “The Betrothed” by A. Manzoni took place: Monza, Como And Lecco. From Milan, the journey will take about 35 minutes by any transport (buses also run regularly from all major bus stations in the city), and between cities it will take about half an hour. If it is not possible to move around mobile, you can visit one of them to choose from and devote the whole day to it. Either way, you will not regret the time spent.

Let's start with the city of Monza, located 20 km from Milan.

The city was nothing special until the 6th century, until the Lombards built a palace and a monastery in it, making it their summer residence. It is in this monastery that the author of the novel “The Betrothed” hides his heroine from persecution, the fugitive Lucia, and describes in detail the life of the nuns (including how they did not always end up there of their own free will).

Palace in Monza

During its heyday, the city sought independence from Milan, for which it repeatedly had to pay with skirmishes and raids. The Basilica of the Cathedral, founded in the 7th century, speaks about the antiquity of the city! And already in the 18th century, in the hunting grounds of Monza, a royal palace was built, in which, by the way, the Russian emperor also stayed. And now, upon entering the palace, in addition to visiting its halls, you can taste coffee or drink a glass of wine, which is very flattering, knowing that all this is happening in the royal palace.

Also, the city, in addition to medieval streets, a very beautiful square surrounded by street cafes near the central cathedral, is famous for the fact that it is home to the legendary motor track, one of the fastest in the world, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix is ​​held.
The streets of Monza are romantic and colorful; all kinds of restaurants and shops add sparkle and charm to the city. Let us note that the cuisine of Monza is individual; there is even a recipe for risotto “Monza style” in Italy.

The next city to visit is the city Como. The city lies in a valley surrounded by the Bergamo Alps on the shores of the lake of the same name - one of the deepest lakes in Europe and the 3rd largest in Italy. The city is no less ancient than all the others in the country and in the 2nd century it already became part of the Roman Empire, becoming a military base. In the Middle Ages, already being part of the Lombard kingdom, it also competed with Milan and was an ally of Barbarossa, for which the Milanese came to the city and ruined it. Among the historical heritage, the church of San Carpoforo, founded in the 4th century, stands out, which stands on the site of the Roman Temple of Mercury.

Now Como is picturesque and secluded, located on the shores of a beautiful lake at the base of the mountains. You can climb to the observation deck on Mount Brunate and see a panorama of the winding lake and Como itself. The picturesqueness of these places attracted film, pop and television stars from all over the world, who settled here and built magnificent villas.

This fact gave rise to the development of the so-called “vip watching” tourism - hunting for celebrities. However, the city is also famous for its food, born in the mountains - cheese, wine and fish caught in Lake Como, which you can immediately taste in local cafes and restaurants on the shore, looking at the yachts and mountains, while the gifts of the lake are prepared according to traditional recipes .

The next city we'll go to is Lecco, also located on the shores of Lake Como in the Bergamo Alps, located on the other side of a branch of the lake (on average 40 km from Como).

There is no need to talk about the picturesqueness of the town, founded by Celtic tribes, but now preserving the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The streets wind along small rocks, creating a bizarre labyrinth, which lead to the temple of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the city. Nearby stands the “pencil” bell tower, the symbol of Lecco. It was in its environs that the narrative in the novel “The Betrothed” began, and from here the flight of the main characters, lovers Lorenzo and Lucia, began.

It will also be interesting to just stroll around the city, enjoying nature and views, mountains, boats and yachts on the lake. Walking a little deeper into the city you will come to the central square, where the city market is often located with many locally produced delicacies and sweets. The so-called “Palace of Fear”, popularly nicknamed because of the tax office located in it, faces the square.

Also overlooking the square is the impressive Visconti Tower, which was previously part of the city fortress. To climb the peak of Piano Derna, 1300 m high, it is possible to use the funicular (the whole journey will take about 15 minutes), and the presence of the lake, of course, involves boat trips on boats and ferries, and there is even a water taxi.

The attractions in Lecco do not end there; there is, for example, the 14th-century Visconti Bridge with 11 arches, ancient churches and atmospheric, unique medieval streets. The city even has elaborate cycling routes, taking in the best views of the city and mountains.

There are still many unique places and cities in the vicinity of Milan (Bergamo, Cremona, Lodi, a monastery in the rock on Lake Lago Maggiore, etc.), which have their own history, special atmosphere and individuality. So far we have consecrated only the above-mentioned cities.

You can travel endlessly throughout Northern Italy (as well as throughout Italy) and you will always be accompanied by new and impressive discoveries, which is why Italy never ceases to attract tourists, adventurers, history and art lovers.

Milanweek thanks Arina for the interview and invites talented guys to send their letters to our mail or directly to the authors.