Lombardy & the Lakes

Introducing Lombardy & the Lakes

Sprawled between the Alps and the river Po’s plains, Lombardy (Lombardia) has one of Italy’s most varied landscapes. Industrious cities, medieval hill towns and lakeside resorts are interspersed with powdered slopes, lemon groves, crop fields, vineyards and rice paddies. But one element defines this diverse region: style. Lombardy’s capital, Milan, is the country’s fashion and finance powerhouse, and is its second-largest metropolis after Rome. The empires of Armani, Prada, Gucci and dozens of others reside in Milan’s ‘Golden Quad’, while cutting-edge homewares and furniture designers such as Kartell and Alessi also call Milan home.

Sparkling lakes are strung along the north of the region like a necklace and are the real jewels. Wedding-cake villas set in tiered gardens adorn elegant towns and intimate villages along the shores. Yet despite the lakes’ beauty, many areas retain an authenticity untainted by tourism. South of the main chain of lakes, history-steeped cities include medieval Bergamo; Roman Brescia; the age-old violin-making centre of Cremona; and the Renaissance city of Mantua, on the banks of the river Mincio, which has been widened to create more lakes.

Fresh lake fish grace Lombardy’s tables, along with risotto and polenta from the plains; Alpine butter, cream and cheese; and celebrated wines such as dry Valtellina reds and fizzy Franciacorta, produced using the same double-fermentation method as Champagne.

The catch? Lombardy’s style comes at a price. Its industry and agriculture make it one of the most affluent regions in Italy, and hence one of the most expensive. Still, there are ways to keep the costs down – and this region rewards you when you splash out.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009