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Northern Italy tourist information
Northern Italy is a country of scenic contrasts, rich in history. From
the mighty Alps and Dolomite mountains, cut deeply by great rivers and glorious
lakes, the land falls away to the vast plain of the River Po and its
tributaries, which flow into the Adriatic close to Venice, truly one of the
wonders of the world. In the west the Italian Riviera is a coastline of beaches
and high mountains extending almost to the sea. Everywhere are ancient towns and
cities, testament to some of western civilisation's greatest achievements, while
the modern industrial and commercial cities of Milan and Turin ensure Italy's
place in the modern world.
Map of Northern Italy
Bologna, a busy and bustling city, has one of Europe's oldest
universities, and is a fascinating place to stroll around, with its many
medieval towers, arcaded streets, historic churches, palaces, galleries and
museums. Bologna also enjoys an enviable situation on the southern edge of the
central plain, close to the foothills of the Appenines, which offer many
possibilities for walks and drives among beautiful mountain scenery. The seaside
resorts of the Adriatic coast are just 80 kms distant, as is the beautiful town
of Ravenna with its wonderful mosaics.
Cannobio is just one of the delightful resort towns around the shores of
Lake Maggiore, one of the lovely Italian lakes. Close to Maggiore is the
smaller and peaceful Lake Orta, The other great lakes are genteel Como,
playground of the Milanese, and Garda, much loved by the Germans and
excellent for windsurfing. All the lakes are set spectacularly between steep and
rocky mountains which gradually open out towards the south. Along their banks
are established resorts like Como, Cernobbio, Riva and Bellagio,
offering an enticing mixture of palm-fringed promenades and majestic villas
along with facilities for all the latest in watersports and leisure activities.
Ferrara with its spectacular moated castle, is just one of countless
Italian cities on the northern plain which deserve a lengthy visit to do them
justice. Amongst many, visit the famous university town of Padova with a
wealth of ancient buildings; there's Cremona of Stradivarius fame; Mantova
has its palaces and historic centre. While you're here, take some time to drive
around the flat countryside close to the famous cheese-making town of
Gorgonzola, where time seems to have stood still and huge ancient farmsteads
still act as a focal point for the villages around.
Verona is forever associated with the story of Romeo and Juliet, and
Juliet's house, with its famous balcony, is a much visited attraction. The other
great draw is the almost perfectly preserved Roman amphitheatre, where open-air
performances of the great Italian operas take place throughout the summer. Take
a cushion - stone seats are hard! Verona is a great base for visiting the other
cities of northern Italy, and is just an hour's drive from lovely Lake Garda and
the Alpine foothills. North of the city are countless acres of vineyards
producing millions of litres of some of Italy's most famous wines, among them
Valpolicella, Soave and Bardolino.
Milan is a powerhouse of industry and commerce and, together with
Turin, is home to some of Europe's most successful companies such as Fiat
and Olivetti. Both cities are sophisticated centres of culture, the opera house
of La Scala in Milan being famous world-wide, almost as much for the enthusiasm
of its audience as for its wonderful performances. Turin and Milan vie for
supremacy as the fashion capital of Europe, and both cities offer wonderful
shopping; Milan in its great arcades and Turin along the imposing Via Roma, and
the adjoining arcades. Turin probably offers the best in food and wine, while
Milan's Cathedral, or Duomo, is among the finest anywhere. There's plenty for
connoisseurs of art and history, and all this combined with a lively nightlife,
makes a stay in either of these cities a thoroughly rewarding experience.
Venice is unlike anywhere else in the world. Set in the lagoon, it is
completely dominated by water. Leave your car at the end of the causeway. There
are no roads, so movement around the city is by motorised water-buses, or, if
you're feeling romantic, by gondola. All goods are moved by boat, and all this
water-borne activity gives a feeling of being in a city on another planet. As
you walk through the narrow streets, wonderful sights are around every corner;
palaces at the end of dead-end alleys, small squares with superb medieval
churches, canals with their arched bridges; and suddenly and unexpectedly you
emerge from some small passage into the brilliant sunlit space of St Mark's
Square. Several days are needed to do justice to this amazing city, and try to
avoid the mid-summer holiday peak when it can be uncomfortably crowded.
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