Archive for 'Lombardy'

  

Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Paying a visit Santa is a must for kids in the run up to Christmas and, if you have found a vacation rental in the Lake Maggiore area, you will be presented with the unique opportunity to see him on his very own boat!

According to local legend, Santa Claus has arrived in Milan at the end of November each year since 1400 to deliver toys and gifts to each child in the city. Next, he is said to hop on his boat, leave the city, and head up the Navigli and Ticino River to make his way to Lake Maggiore. He visits all of the lakeside towns before stopping and settling in the village of Intra until Christmas.     Read More
Posted in: Concerts & Festivals, Events, Lakes, Localities, Lombardy, Milan, Northwest Italy

  

Monday, October 15, 2018
Pirlo
If the Aperol Spritz is the drink of choice in Venice, then the Pirlo is its equivalent in many ways in Brescia. This beautiful city in Lombardy is a wonderful place to spend time, wandering the pretty streets, taking in the beautiful buildings, visiting the parks, museums and UNESCO awarded attractions and more. It is also the perfect place to grab a Pirlo, kick back and relax on your holidays. Just find a vacation rental in Lombardy, hit up the nearest caffe-bar and order the local speciality for yourself.     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Food and Wine, Lombardy, Northwest Italy, Recipes

  

Thursday, March 1, 2018
The House of Andrea Mantegna is a 15th century building in the city of Mantua that is a vibrant art centre where temporary exhibitions and cultural events take place.

It is also a museum that collects, documents and researches the evolution of its namesake's art: Andrea Mantegna.

Mantegna was an Italian painter who went on to have one of the most important print workshops in Italy. The House of Andrea Mantua was built by the artist as his home and is the ultimate expression of his ambitions and how he wanted to be seen as a person and artist.

Built on a piece of land donated by Ludovico II Gonzaga, one of the most influential patrons in Italy at the time and part of the ruling Gonzaga family of Mantua, the house is expressed across two floors on a square plan with a central circular courtyard around which all of the rooms are arranged.     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Lombardy, Museums & Galleries, Northwest Italy, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, October 27, 2017
Kids
Passo Tonale is a great, budget-(and beginner)-friendly ski resort in Italy located on a high mountain pass that links the regions of Trentino and Lombardy.

Its location means that you can find a vacation rental in Trentino or a vacation rental in Lombardy, giving you more options to choose from and the wiggle room to find the perfect villa from which to base yourself as you enjoy the winter sports that Italy has to offer. It's the best of both worlds!

The village is located at the foot of the slopes with a gondola, that was installed in 2015, and an efficient lift system that makes the glacier more readily accessible. These go from Passo Paradiso to the slopes of Passo Presena, which are mainly suited to beginners and intermediate skiiers, and also link the town to the slopes of Ponte di Legno and Temù, which offer something more interesting for more advanced skiers.     Read More
Posted in: Activities, Lombardy, Northeast Italy, Northwest Italy, Skiing & Winter Sports, Tourist Attractions, Trentino-Alto Adige

  

Friday, October 6, 2017
Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola is one of the world's oldest blue-veined cheeses and is a DOP certified food that is largely produced in the northern Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. The name comes from Gorgonzola, in Milan, which is said to be the birthplace of the cheese, though this is now disputed. It is a crumbly, soft cheese that can have a mild or sharp taste, depending on its age, and is made of unskimmed cow's milk, to which starter bacteria and the spores of the mould Penicillium glaucum are added. The whey is then removed during curdling and the result is aged at low temperatures and ripened for at least three to four months. The iconic its greenish-blue marbling that distinguishes Gorgonzola was not always a feature and was added in the 11th century.     Read More
Posted in: Food and Wine, Lombardy, Must See Attractions, Northwest Italy, Piedmont, Products & Specialities