Italy's Northern Lakes - from Milan to Verona

About the destination: With an almost Northern European feel, yet radiating Italian style, Milan is Italy's most cosmopolitan city. The capital of Lombardy is both industrious and glamorous - influential in industries from finance to fashion and, of course, football. But what gives Milan its unique charm is its status as the epicentre of Italian fashion and interior design. International fashion enthusiasts, designers, supermodels and paparazzi flock to the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs: Milan, which has meticulously maintained its reputation for flair, drama and creativity, is Italy's natural stage. This is undoubtedly one of the best places in Italy to shop, or simply window shop. Milan is the primary industrial, commercial and financial hub of Italy and as such, it unsurprisingly has a business-like appearance. At first glance, it may lack the wow factor, but if you take the time and are determined to explore Milan’s streets, you’ll discover its aesthetically pleasing treasures – and they do exist. Navigate through the modern metropolitan hustle and bustle, and you will stumble upon impressive churches and palaces, the charming Navigli area, the stylish Brera district and vibrant university quarter, and it goes without saying that the city is home to landmarks such as the Duomo, and Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century masterpiece The Last Supper. Milan cannot be criticised when it comes to having a good time. The Milanese know how to celebrate – and they don’t waste time getting started. Nightlife tends to kick off at 6pm; enjoying an aperitivo in which locals unwind with post-work drinks and snacks before heading home is more the norm than the exception. So whether you’re looking for affordable fashion, an alternative city break or a chance to paint the town red, Milan has undoubtedly got it covered.

About the destination: With an almost Northern European feel, yet radiating Italian style, Milan is Italy's most cosmopolitan city. The capital of Lombardy is both industrious and glamorous - influential in industries from finance to fashion and, of course, football. But what gives Milan its unique charm is its status as the epicentre of Italian fashion and interior design. International fashion enthusiasts, designers, supermodels and paparazzi flock to the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs: Milan, which has meticulously maintained its reputation for flair, drama and creativity, is Italy's natural stage. This is undoubtedly one of the best places in Italy to shop, or simply window shop. Milan is the primary industrial, commercial and financial hub of Italy and as such, it unsurprisingly has a business-like appearance. At first glance, it may lack the wow factor, but if you take the time and are determined to explore Milan’s streets, you’ll discover its aesthetically pleasing treasures – and they do exist. Navigate through the modern metropolitan hustle and bustle, and you will stumble upon impressive churches and palaces, the charming Navigli area, the stylish Brera district and vibrant university quarter, and it goes without saying that the city is home to landmarks such as the Duomo, and Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century masterpiece The Last Supper. Milan cannot be criticised when it comes to having a good time. The Milanese know how to celebrate – and they don’t waste time getting started. Nightlife tends to kick off at 6pm; enjoying an aperitivo in which locals unwind with post-work drinks and snacks before heading home is more the norm than the exception. So whether you’re looking for affordable fashion, an alternative city break or a chance to paint the town red, Milan has undoubtedly got it covered.

About the destination: Brescia is the city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella River and the Naviglio, a few kilometres from the lakes Garda and Iseo. The urban area of Brescia extends beyond the administrative city limits. The city is the administrative capital of the Province of Brescia, one of the largest in Italy. Brescia is home to several great museums and is a primary tourist city of Italy. Among main attraction tourist, you can find: • Tempio Capitolino. Old Roman ruins, built it by the emperor Vespasian. • Old and New Duomo. The unique pre-renaissance church has a massive stone dome and 12th century crucifixes. • The Castle. Dating to pre-Roman times and Venetian overlords of the 16th century, the city's stronghold houses museums of armory and of the Risorgimento. • Santa Giulia's cloister: This museum and former convent houses a massive collection of art and archaeology dating back more than 10,000 years and exploring the region's history from pre-history to Roman occupation to the Lombard invasion, etc. • La Loggia. The city hall and centre of regional government, this large and oddly shaped building presides over the city's central square. • Mille Miglia. The Mille Miglia, which starts in Brescia, was one of the world's top automobile races. The actual race, now a parade of refurbished and custom designed cars that slowly winds its way through 1000 miles of northern Italy, starts in May of each year.

About the destination: Set amidst endless vineyards and cypress groves, this blend of Roman ruins, pink palaces and whimsical tombs has a romantic beauty that is hard to overstate. Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet here, and would likely be amused to know that his fictional lovers have become Verona’s top tourist attraction. However, Verona has more to offer than just Romeo and Juliet. In the centre of Verona, Brà square, there is the almost perfectly preserved Roman Arena. Up via Mazzini from the Arena is piazza delle Erbe, where tacky trinkets are sold amongst the Renaissance palazzo of former Veronese merchants and it has a lively atmosphere with charming cafes and stunning restaurants. Through an arch on the right are piazza dei Signori and the Tombs of the Scaligeri, the peculiar Gothic remnants of della Scalla, Verona’s medieval tyrants. The equestrian statue of Cangrande I, head of the Scalla clan is a glorification of raw power and can be visited at the museum of Castelvecchio. But if you are a hopeless romantic, at 23 via Cappello you’ll find Juliet’s house, where lovers scrawl their hopeful pleas. The house where Romeo used to live is now a pub. This ancient city oozes history from every brick and is well worth a visit.

About the destination: With an almost Northern European feel, yet radiating Italian style, Milan is Italy's most cosmopolitan city. The capital of Lombardy is both industrious and glamorous - influential in industries from finance to fashion and, of course, football. But what gives Milan its unique charm is its status as the epicentre of Italian fashion and interior design. International fashion enthusiasts, designers, supermodels and paparazzi flock to the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs: Milan, which has meticulously maintained its reputation for flair, drama and creativity, is Italy's natural stage. This is undoubtedly one of the best places in Italy to shop, or simply window shop. Milan is the primary industrial, commercial and financial hub of Italy and as such, it unsurprisingly has a business-like appearance. At first glance, it may lack the wow factor, but if you take the time and are determined to explore Milan’s streets, you’ll discover its aesthetically pleasing treasures – and they do exist. Navigate through the modern metropolitan hustle and bustle, and you will stumble upon impressive churches and palaces, the charming Navigli area, the stylish Brera district and vibrant university quarter, and it goes without saying that the city is home to landmarks such as the Duomo, and Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century masterpiece The Last Supper. Milan cannot be criticised when it comes to having a good time. The Milanese know how to celebrate – and they don’t waste time getting started. Nightlife tends to kick off at 6pm; enjoying an aperitivo in which locals unwind with post-work drinks and snacks before heading home is more the norm than the exception. So whether you’re looking for affordable fashion, an alternative city break or a chance to paint the town red, Milan has undoubtedly got it covered.