Suggested itineraries
Milan, shopping and art
The hub of the old city of Milan is the cathedral, the third biggest in the world, which dominates and dwarfs everything around it. The exterior, described by D.H. Lawrence as "an elaborate wedding cake", is a mix of pink, grey, peach and fawn marble topped by 135 spires. From the top of the highest (108.5metres) a gilded bronze figure of the Virgin looks down upon the city. Behind the elaborate facades the interior is no less...
Lake Como and its villas
Lake Como offers a spectacular, dynamic landscape, and what seems to be an unending chain of opulent villas. Set off on the ancient "Strada Regina" road to explore the lake, making Cernobbio your first stop. Here, the beautiful Villa Erba looks out over the lake, surrounded by an expanse of parkland. Luchino Visconti, the director, was brought up here. Originally a medieval town, Cernobbio is popular with well known Italian and...
