Bergamo, Northern Italy

We have bought cheap flights to Bergamo, near Milan, and plan to spend a week up there at the end of August.  I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts of places to go and things to see in the area.  I know what to do on the few days we'll be in Milan, but we have a week to plan, so all ideas welcome.

Thanks,


Vicky

Hi Vicky,

Desenzano, on Lake Garda, is only about an hour from Milan, and it's a nice little town, and the lake is beautiful.  My buddy and I drove through the mountains in the area between Milan and Desenzano, and they're beautiful, too.

Have fun!
Carl

I really liked Bergamo! It is a lovely medieval citty and not overcrowded with toursts!
Around Bergamo you can go to the Lakes (Garda, Como, etc keep your eyes open for George Clooney!), visit Verona and I hear there is a really nice outlet mall right on the border with Switzerland. Since it was my first time in Italy I sneaked to Venice!!

Have fun! it is beautiful over there!!

Bergamo was one of my favorite places when we did a trip to North Italy last summer. As others mentioned, Como is beautiful! And Verona is not too far.

One thing we did was take a scenic train ride through Switzerland from Tirano, Italy which is in that area. It is a train with windows that are extra large and you go through the Alps and they point out important features - including glaciers and the super high rail bridges! I think you end up in Chur, Switzerland so that might be going a bit further than you wanted, but it is well worth it if you can! http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/Bernina_Express.30.0.html?&L=2

I've done Basel - milan - como by train before...it's amazing, but we only have a week this time!  I'm thinking Verona, then garda, but keep the suggestions coming, this is great, thanks.

Vicky

We stayed close to the funicular railway in Bergamo that takes you up to the old town, although we did walk down several times - everywhere in the old town is worth seeing! Just wander round, sit at cafes and drink it all in. There's also an art gallery, which we never got to.

Mantua and Cremona are lovely and easily reachable by train from Bergamo. Mantua has the most amazing palace and we were the only people looking at the frescoes in August. http://goitaly.about.com/od/moreitaliancities/p/montova.htm.

Cremona has a lovely old centre like many Italian towns, and the violin museum is fascinating.