Home to an ancient university, the town of Pavia dates back to pre-Roman times when it was known as Ticinum.
Our train-happy family readily jumped onto a train at Milan Centrale to spend a day at Pavia. A day of discovering piazzas, a university, and beautiful churches.
Our walk began from the train station at Pavia. We ambled along the streets that led to Piazza della Vittoria and the quiet Piazza del Duomo.
If you are weary from sightseeing and shopping in Milan, and are looking for a tranquil setting, head to the lovely Monte Stella. Condition: You would need a little bit of energy to hike up the hill :).
If you are a fitness enthusiast, you could jog along the path here.
Monte Stella is a verdant location with various paths leading around and up the hill. This artificial hill was created from rubble resulting from WWII damage.
Admire Trieste and its breathtaking surroundings from above by following the scenic trail along the Strada Vicentina(Strada Napoleonica).
And then, walk some more to explore this city along the Adriatic Sea. Go ahead, it’s the best way to discover Trieste!
An Evening Walk in Trieste:
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Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Nuovo. Trieste, Italy
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The Church of San Spiridione. Trieste, Italy
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The Canal Grande.
Welcome to Trieste, the capital of Friuli Venezia Giulia, an autonomous region in Italy. This vibrant city in the north-east part of the country exhibits a mix of Italian, Slovenian, German, and other cultures. It is the home of Illy coffee – reason enough to indulge in a cuppa Joe!
FrecciaBianca trains offer direct connections between Milan and Trieste, via Venice. Thus, Trieste found an entry in our travel planner.
Stresa, on the shores of the large Lake Maggiore, is a quick, easy, and beautiful weekend getaway from Milan. With a train journey of about an hour, Stresa could even be the destination of a day trip from the fashion capital.
We conversed with garden lizards and Amherst pheasants at the beautiful Isola Madre, strolled along Stresa’s lovely lakeside promenade, sighed over the views from the public park, and petted farm animals in the gardens at the Villa Pallavicino.
The city of Bergamo, located at the foothills of the Alps, finds its place on many itineraries owing to its airport. Given the chance (and the time), it is a beautiful “two-tiered” city to visit. Frequent trains connect Bergamo and Milan, making it a fantastic destination for a day trip from the fashion capital.
On a sunny spring morning, about a year ago, we spent a day exploring the beautiful CittàAlta of Bergamo.
For a slice of tranquility and a different perspective of Rome, we spent a morning at the Gianicolo (Janiculum) Hill, had lunch in the charming Trastevere neighborhood, and strolled along the Ponte Sisto.
We boarded a bus that halted near the Piazzale del Faro. The Faro al Gianicolo (Lighthouse) in this piazza was a gift from Argentina to Italy. From here, we walked along the Passeggiata del Gianicolo that leads to the hilltop.
Padua, a city in close proximity to the Queen of the Adriatic, Venice, appears to live in the shadow of its more “popular” neighbor.
During our weekend escape to Padua, we discovered a charming city that boasts of a renowned university (dating back to 1222) whose alumni and professors list includes Galileo Galilei, Copernicus and William Harvey. The world’s first university botanical gardenfinds its home here, and features in the UNESCO heritage list.
From the beautiful Roman Arena to the romantic atmosphere inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a weekend in Verona can be memorable. The Adige river winds its way through this beautiful city in the Veneto region of Italy.
We “exercised” our feet at the Arena, ambled along in Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe, smiled at the fuss about “Juliet’s balcony”, wandered in the maze at Giardino Giusti, and enjoyed a tranquil evening stroll along the River Adige.
After that introduction to some of the piazzas in Milan, here are some of my other favorites: Piazza Cordusio Surrounded by beautiful bank buildings, this oval-shaped piazza in the heart of Milan is almost always teeming with activity. Sometimes, I pause here, watch the trams go by, peer at the Castello Sforzesco in the distance and then take a short walk along the lively pedestrian street, Via dei Mercanti, that leads to the Duomo.