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Need suggestions for other NW places like Bergamo

Posted by (Seattle, WA, USA) on

I'm looking for suggestions on other places to visit in NW Italy, esp. in the Piemonte or Lombardia regions. We went to Bergamo last year and really enjoyed it. The size was great - not too big to be overwhelming, not so small as to run out of things to see and do. It has incredible views, as the historic center is on a hilltop. And it's nicely off the beaten path of other American tourists. (We've been to Lake Como and Milan in those regions.)

We enjoy architecture, good food, natural beauty, art museums and churches. I've looked into Torino and just don't care for the look of the city. (We prefer medieval and renaissance era over baroque.)

We will most likely be traveling in May of next year. (I like to plan ahead.)

Thanks for your suggestions.

Posted by
60 posts

torino is a good choice and a very underrated city: castel and park of valentino,venaria reale( http://www.lavenaria.it/web/en/la-tua-visita.html) , mole antonelliana are amazing...and The egypt museum ,the most important outside egypt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museo_Egizio.

1 hour outside turin there's the langhe region,famous for wine and food . Here there are many little towns perfect for a day or half/day trip like Monforte d'Alba,Barolo, Bergolo, Bossolasco.

Posted by
3657 posts

Parma has a beautiful cathedral, with the dome frescoed by Corregio, and a wonderful medieval baptistery. The food there is divine. Lago Maggiore is very scenic. From its shore at Stresa, which makes a good base, you can get a ferry to the Borromean Islands, which offer a palazzo (unfortunately Baroque, but still interesting) and gorgeous gardens. You can drive or take a train from Stresa to Locarno. From there, you can walk or take a rope railway up to the sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso for awesome views and some noteworthy art. Another daytrip could be to Orta San Giulio, which I found very charming. The very old basilica is a 5 minute boat ride from the shore and is decorated with 15th c. frescoes. There's lots more to see in the region. We found the Cadogan guide, "Lombardy and the Italian Lakes," to be an invaluable resource for ferreting out the kind of places you say you enjoy.

Posted by
16566 posts

If you like midsize cities I wonder if you've ever visited Verona. It's in the NE rather than NW, but Verona is similar in size to Bergamo and very beautiful. From Verona you can also visit Lake Garda and even the Dolomites mountains, which are within 1-2 hour drive.
Other similar size cities are also within a short distance from Verona and can be visited on a day trip: Mantua, Brescia, Vicenza, Padua, and even Parma or Bologna in Emilia, are not far.

Posted by
7737 posts

Yes, Verona is one of our favorite places. We've been there twice. We also loved Padova. I just feel we have neglected Piemonte and Lombardia.

Posted by
7737 posts

Does anyone have any thoughts about Cuneo? It was suggested on another travel board.

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