Lombardy

Located in northern Italy, stretching over the Alps, plains and lakes, Lombardy's scenery is varied and sometimes dramatic. The flat area around Milan is dotted with art cities, but for a glimpse of natural splendours, head for the edge of the mountains. Here the Alps tumble down into steep valleys and lakes, in a scenic feast which has enraptured travellers for centuries and is the setting for our popular Northern Italy walking and cycling tours.

Lombardy's regional capital is Milan; and the region's other provinces are: Lecco, Varese, Como, Bergamo, Sondrio, Brescia, Cremona, Mantova, Pavia and Lodi.

Lombardy's regional cuisine includes specialities such as risotto alla milanese, frogs (in Pavia), ossobuco alla milanese, bresaola and polenta.

Lake Como (Lago di Como) is one of the famous Italian Lakes destinations, not far from Milan in the north of Italy. Lake Como is long (50km), slender and extremely deep. The southern end forks into two long 'legs', with the picturesque town of Bellagio situated on the promontory between them.

Like the other Italian Lakes, Lake Como has been popular as a resort since the days of the Roman Empire. Visitors ever since have admired the blue waters and relaxed in luxurious villas in the wooded lakeside slopes above. Today, most of the towns around the shores of Lake Como are popular with tourists, cyclists, walkers and swimmers.

Walking

Cycling