<strong>Bergamo: </strong>Situated 30 kilometers from Lake Como, this northern Italian town in the heart of Lombardy is split into two parts linked by a funicular -- the historic Città Alta (upper town) and the modern Città Bassa (lower town).
Bergamo: Situated 30 kilometers from Lake Como, this northern Italian town in the heart of Lombardy is split into two parts linked by a funicular -- the historic Città Alta (upper town) and the modern Città Bassa (lower town).
David Sweeney
<strong>Bergamo: </strong> Piazza Vecchia, a café clad square in the center of Città Alta, is surrounded with elegant architecture such as Palazzo Nuovo and Torre del Campanone, which showcase Bergamo's storied past.<br />
Bergamo: Piazza Vecchia, a café clad square in the center of Città Alta, is surrounded with elegant architecture such as Palazzo Nuovo and Torre del Campanone, which showcase Bergamo's storied past.
David Sweeney
<strong>Lecco: </strong>Located on the southern tip of Lake Como, this bustling industrial center is popular with nature lovers.<br />
Lecco: Located on the southern tip of Lake Como, this bustling industrial center is popular with nature lovers.
Maurizio Moro
<strong>Lecco: </strong>The Basilica of the city is dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of Lecco, and there's also a golden statue of the religious figure just off the shore.
Lecco: The Basilica of the city is dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of Lecco, and there's also a golden statue of the religious figure just off the shore.
David Sweeney
<strong>Varenna: </strong>This picturesque lakeside village on the eastern shore of Lake Como impresses with its traditional fishermen's houses, stone lakeside paths and intricate iron-wrought terrace gates<strong>.</strong>
Varenna: This picturesque lakeside village on the eastern shore of Lake Como impresses with its traditional fishermen's houses, stone lakeside paths and intricate iron-wrought terrace gates.
David Sweeney
<strong>Varenna: </strong>Popular activities here include exploring the hiking and mountain bike trails of nearby Esino valley, or simply unwinding by the lake.
Varenna: Popular activities here include exploring the hiking and mountain bike trails of nearby Esino valley, or simply unwinding by the lake.
Sonia Poncia
<strong>Lovere:</strong> Eighteenth-century writer Lady Wortley Montagu once described this Italian town on the northern shore of Lake Iseo as "the most romantic place I have ever seen."<br />
Lovere: Eighteenth-century writer Lady Wortley Montagu once described this Italian town on the northern shore of Lake Iseo as "the most romantic place I have ever seen."
Paolo Ardiani
<strong>Lovere:</strong> The promenade here, which is full of impressive villas and palaces, offers great views of Lake Iseo.<br />
Lovere: The promenade here, which is full of impressive villas and palaces, offers great views of Lake Iseo.
Dimitri Salvi
<strong>Sirmione: </strong>This tiny town on the shores of Lake Garda is known for its thermal waters as well as its beautiful beaches, which are filled with rock formations.
Sirmione: This tiny town on the shores of Lake Garda is known for its thermal waters as well as its beautiful beaches, which are filled with rock formations.
David Sweeney
<strong>Sirmione: </strong>Located in the province of Brescia, Sirmione <strong>i</strong>s also home to the well-preserved castle Rocca Scaligera, which was built near the end of the 12th century.
Sirmione: Located in the province of Brescia, Sirmione is also home to the well-preserved castle Rocca Scaligera, which was built near the end of the 12th century.
David Sweeney
<strong>Mantova: </strong>Surrounded by three artificial lakes<strong>, </strong>Mantova<strong> </strong>is known as La Bella Addormentata ("the sleeping beauty," as little has changed here since medieval times.
Mantova: Surrounded by three artificial lakes, Mantova is known as La Bella Addormentata ("the sleeping beauty," as little has changed here since medieval times.
David Sweeney
<strong>Mantova: </strong> Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the town has many scenic squares including Piazza Sordello, which is its oldest.
Mantova: Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the town has many scenic squares including Piazza Sordello, which is its oldest.
Courtesy Palazzo Castiglioni