The Essential Guide to Getting to the Lakes Region

Milan is the best gateway city for planning trips to Italy’s beautiful Lakes Region. Milan is only a short one-hour drive or train trip to Como, at the southern tip of the lovely Lake Como. There are several attractive choices for things to see and do while en route to beginning a Lakes trip itinerary.

The most convenient transportation option would be to hire a private car or driver for the ultimate flexibility in getting where you want to go. But Milan has great train connections to most of these destinations as well. We can help you plan your customised trip to this delightful part of Italy. Contact us for full details on pricing and travel planning.

Here are some suggestions on great places to visit on your way north from Milan to the Lakes region:

Discover Dazzling Towns and Villages

Bergamo

The historic walled city of Bergamo makes for an intriguing day trip option. The old part of the city has 5 kilometers of encircling walls built by Venice in the 16th century. It boasts medieval architecture with Alpine views on the horizon and a scenic hilltop citadel, the Rocca di Bergamo.
The town also features the Accademia Carrara fine arts museum. Discover interesting churches such as Santa Maria Maggiore cathedral and the Colleoni Chapel, a funicular up to the cobbled streets of the old town where you’ll find the historic Piazza Vecchia.
We recommend a guided tour of the town followed by an exquisite local lunch, where you can enjoy the town’s unique atmosphere. Add in a tour and wine tasting at the Grumello Castle. Enjoy all this for just $650AUD pp.

Getting there: Trains from Milan to Bergamo take under an hour, while the onward journey to Como would take just under two hours and require a change of trains, likely in Monza, just north of Milan.

Varese

Another town well worth a visit is Varese about 30 miles northwest of Milan. It is full of parks, gardens, and historical villas built by noble families. The most spectacular park and palace is the Palazzo Estense built in the 18th century. Through the Palazzo itself is the city’s town hall. Be sure to stroll the beautiful gardens with its huge fountain. Another noteworthy villa that can be toured is the 18th century hilltop Villa Panza with its 20th century American Art collection and Italian garden.
You’ll also want to spend time in the pedestrian friendly city center with its porticoed streets, piazzas, and pleasant cafes.

Getting there: Trains from Milan’s Porta Garibaldi station reach Varese in just about an hour. After your visit, you’ll find direct trains that will get you from Varese to Como in roughly an hour.

Indulge in Food and Wine

Franciacorta

The Franciacorta region is renowned for its production of sparkling wine. It has over 100 wineries spread along the Franciacorta Wine Road in the hills near Lake Iseo. The Franciacorta area offers tastings, picturesque villages, and fine dining.
Some of the top wineries include Guido Berlucchi, where the first bottles of sparkling wine were produced in 1961, and Ca’ del Bosco with its contemporary sculpture collection. Seek out atmospheric restaurants in small villages like the one Michelin Star Due Columbe.

Getting there: Hiring a car and driver is the best way to explore the wineries and villages of the Franciacorta region, as the region lies just an hour east of Milan. Or enjoy this experience as part of our Italian Lakes and Swiss Mountains Small Group Journey – find out more here.

Grumello Castle

Combining history with picturesque hillside vineyards, Grumello Castle offers another interesting winery visit east of Milan near Lake Iseo. The Castle was built as a military fortress in 1200, whose remaining parts include the tower, Knight’s Hall, and wine cellars. The Castle is open for guided tours and wine tastings. Enjoy a tour and tasting, with a tour of Bergamo and lunch for $650AUD pp. Contact us for more details.

Getting there: A car service will provide the quickest transportation to Grumello Castle, covering the roughly 40-mile trip in less than an hour. Grumello del Monte station is a short three-minute taxi ride to the winery.

Lugano Food and Wine Walking Tour

For a fun food and wine experience in Switzerland, consider a trip to Lugano on the scenic shores of Lake Lugano. Here you can take a 3 ½ hour guided food and wine tour with several stops to sample the delicious local Merlot wine. You will also be able to indulge in the food specialties of the Ticino region, the Italian speaking area of Switzerland where the Italian influence is felt in the cuisine, the architecture, and the style of living. This experience is only $650AUD pp.

Getting there: There is easy direct train service from Milan to Lugano, with the fastest route taking an hour and 15 minutes. The onward trip to Como by train takes about 35-40 minutes.

Seek Out the Region’s Natural Beauty

Val Brembana Hiking and Cheese Trekking

The Brembana Valley is a beautiful area for hiking through meadows, mountains, and historic villages. Here you’ll find the Art Nouveau architecture of San Pellegrino Terme. Famous spas, and bathhouses and the opportunity to take a cheese tasting hike with lunch in Alpine pastures.
The Cheese Trekking tour is a guided mountain hike that includes a visit to a dairy to witness the production of local cheese, followed by a lunch in the mountains of various cheeses plus polenta.

Getting there: Due to the lack of train service to the mountainous area, a car is the best bet to enjoy a day’s excursion to the Val Brembana area for hiking.

Monza Park, Royal Palace, and Formula 1 Autodrome Racetrack

Monza Park is one of the largest parks in Europe. It was created in the early 1800s and can be enjoyed on foot or bike It also offers the chance to visit a royal palace and a famed Formula 1 racetrack.

Monza’s Royal Palace was built between 1777 and 1780 for the archduke Ferdinand of Hapsburg, son of Austrian empress Maria Theresa. In addition to touring the palace, visitors can enjoy the beautiful English style gardens. They showcase ornamental lakes, waterfalls, trees, and lawns. The northern reaches of the Park house the Formula 1 Autodrome. Here you can tour the historic buildings and take a guided drive of the historic racetrack itself.

Getting there: Traveling by train from Milan to Monza is quick and easy, less than a 10-minute ride. From the city center, you can take a short taxi ride to enjoy the Park, Palace, and Formula 1 Autodrome. There is direct train service on to Como, with the trip lasting about 30 minutes.

Whether you’d like to explore historic towns or villas, sample some of the best local food and wine or explore nature in beautiful natural surroundings, the area between Milan and the Lake Como region provides great options for touring and enjoying lesser-known areas before exploring the Lakes region. Contact us for assistance in crafting your travel itineraries and for full details on public transport options, prices, and reservations!

Tags: Wine, cheese, Lake Como, Lake Iseo, Lake Lugano, Franciacorta, Lugano, Val Brembana, hiking, Monza Park, Grumello Castle, Como, Varese, Bergamo