Italy Guide
Lombardy and the lakes
Lombardy, Italy's richest region, often seems to have more in common with its northern European neighbours than with the rest of Italy. Given its history, this is hardly surprising: it was ruled for almost two centuries by the French and Austrians and takes its name from the northern Lombards, who ousted the Romans. As a border region, Lombardy has always been vulnerable to invasion, just as it has always profited by being a commercial crossroads. Emperors from Charlemagne to Napoleon came to Lombardy to be crowned king – and big business continues to take Lombardy's capital, Milan, more seriously than Rome.
Lombardy's towns and cities retain wanderable medieval cores boasting world-class art and architecture, while the stunning scenery of the "Italian lakes" – notably Lake Como and Lake Garda – never fails to seduce.
Highlights
1 Roof of Milan's Duomo Wander around the roof of the world's largest Gothic cathedral with the best views of the city and the mountains beyond.
2 The Last Supper Leonardo da Vinci's mural for the refectory wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the world's most resonant images.
3 Shopping in Milan Steel yourself for the ultimate shopping trip in the fashion and design capital of the world.
4 Certosa di Pavia This Carthusian monastery is a fantastic construction rising out of the rice fields near Pavia.
5 Cycling round Mantua Rent a bike and explore elegant Mantua and the surrounding waterways.
6 Lake Como Explore the most romantic of the lakes by ferry.
7 Città Alta, Bergamo Bergamo's medieval upper town is an enchanting spot to spend an evening.