Central Lombardy
Eight kilometres north of San Pellegrino Terme, Cornello dei Tasso (signposted off the SS470) is a compact time warp, a golden stone medieval hamlet high above the Brembo river that seems to have stood still, unconcerned by the passing of the centuries. You can park down near the main road and climb a pretty path (with great valley views).
The heavy stone houses seem to huddle together, and the main lane is shielded from the elements by a series of protective vaults.
22.33 MILES
A 1km walk along the (partially wooded) lake shore from Lenno's main square, Villa Balbianello has cinematic pedigree: this was where scenes from Star…
21.31 MILES
The star of the show on a lake shore not bereft of elegant touches, the Villa Carlotta is a fabulous fusion of neoclassical architecture and harmonious…
28.25 MILES
Religious art museums are often dull, full of faded priestly vestments and tarnished silver that hasn’t been polished since the Risorgimento. But this…
27.77 MILES
In Monza's colossal park stands this equally colossal palace. Built between 1777 and 1780 as a viceregal residence for Archduke Ferdinand of Austria,…
13.22 MILES
Just east of the old city walls is one of Italy's great art repositories. Founded in 1780, it contains an exceptional range of Italian masters. Raphael's…
13.2 MILES
Bergamo's colossal, square-based Torre del Campanone soars 52m above the city. It still tolls a bell at 10pm, the legacy of an old curfew. Taking the lift…
28.18 MILES
Como’s awesome marble-clad cathedral is one of the most important buildings on the lake, incorporating a variety of styles – Romanesque, Renaissance and…
13.2 MILES
On the northwest side of Piazza Vecchia, the fresco-dappled Palazzo del Podestà was traditionally home to Venice's representative in Bergamo. Today, the…
1. Museo dei Tasso e della Storia Postale
0.06 MILES
In the slumbering village of Cornello dei Tasso, this small museum chronicles contributions made by the Tasso family, who back in the 15th and 16th…
2. Casinò di San Pellegrino Terme
3.78 MILES
Built in 1907, the striking Casinò di San Pellegrino Terme is full of whimsical detail. The stile liberty facade bears reliefs and sculptures of…
3.86 MILES
Built in 1904, the seven-storey Grand Hotel was one of the great icons of this corner of Lombardy up until its closure in 1979. It has an ornate art…
9.6 MILES
Some 15km northeast of Lecco, the village of Barzio is important above all as the birthplace of Alessandro Manzoni. Nearby, Pasturo retains something of…
11.13 MILES
A short (1.5km) drive east of Almenno San Bartolomeo is a wonderful example of early Lombard Romanesque, the circular Chiesa di San Tomè. The exterior of…
12.75 MILES
About 9km northeast of Lecco, at Ballabio Superiore, a turnoff west sees you ascend about 8km of switchbacks through wooded country to Piani dei Resinelli…
13.06 MILES
Built by the powerful Visconti clan in 1355, Bergamo's fortress has some imposing features, including a medieval postern gate, a 14th-century portico and…
8. Civico Museo Archeologico di Bergamo
13.06 MILES
Set in the 14th-century citadel palace, this archaeology museum covers a lot of ground, from prehistoric and Roman times, up through Longabardic rule in…