Northern Italy: Vacation in Living Color
By Tim Cotroneo
Rome, Venice, and Milan seem to get all the love when it comes to booking one’s first Italian vacation. Today, savvy vacationers are turning to Northern Italy in an effort to explore picturesque, yet still under-the-radar Italian destinations.
Northern Italy’s mountain ranges, scenic lakes, and historic villages spotlight a vibrant region that offers something for everyone. Add centuries of culture, amazing cuisine, and off-the-beaten-path escapes, and Northern Italy becomes a vacation for the ages.
Let’s look at five of Northern Italy’s hidden gem destinations. Below you’ll find travel opportunities to immerse in Nord Italia’s most extraordinary sights, landmarks, and experiences.
Santa Magdalena in the Alpine Village of Val di Funes
Visiting Santa Magdalena is like stepping back into a kinder, gentler time. The bonus of spending a day in this village of 370 residents is the splendor of your surroundings.
This small mountain enclave is surrounded by the Dolomites, and you’ll discover a colorful setting that’s a skiing and hiking haven. Of course, your visit would not be complete without seeing the Santa Maddalena Church, built in the 14th century.
The legend of this chapel evolved from a small wooden statue of Mary Magdalene carried by a flood to a nearby riverbank. Upon discovering this artifact, early residents were so moved by the figure that they built a sanctuary on the church location that can still be seen today.
Trento – A People-watching Mecca with Frescoes, Castles, and Amazing Views
Trento is a walkable city with a charming array of sights, history, and culture. What’s memorable is Trento’s amiable coexistence between young and old.
The Piazzo Duomo is located in the heart of the city, and you’ll know you are there when you meet the imposing gaze of the Neptune Fountain flanked by the Trento Cathedral. Trento’s downtown maintains a steady hum with the city’s bounty of sidewalk cafes, bars, and coffee shops.
Located at the base of the Dolomites, a great way to take in the entire city is to hop aboard the Sardagna Cable Car. Constructed in 1922, the summit reaches a viewpoint of 1900 feet. The San Lorenzo Bridge, leading to the cable car, offers a beautiful image of the Church of Sant’Apollinare which was built in the 14th century.
Tirano – To Switzerland and Back by Train
If the Alps, tasty pasta, and neighboring Switzerland are high on your Italian vacation wish list, then Tirano is a must see. The Swiss border is just a mile from the Tirano train station or a 20-minute walk.
A distinctive red train takes you on a vertical journey known as the Bernina Express. Photography buffs thrill as the ride features spectacular views along the way. The four-hour roundtrip route includes a curved stone viaduct, one of the largest glaciers in the Alps, the deep turquoise Lake Bianco, and the option of taking a cable car up 2,978 meters overseeing the Bernina glaciers.
Once back in Tirano, you may wish to explore the city’s basilica and palace dating back to the 16th century. While in town, stop at one of the open-air sidewalk restaurants for a pasta dish made with their home-grown buckwheat pasta. Another village favorite is the Gelateria Bar Lollipop, a shop famous for serving delicious gelato.
Desenzano del Garda – A Beautiful Break by the Lake
Desenzano is the largest city on Lake Garda’s southern shore. You’ll discover that a walk inside Desenzano’s interior or around the Lago di Garda promenade is exactly what you make it, be it romance, shopping, history, or sightseeing.
The area is alive with vegetation including grapevines, olive trees, chestnut trees, and lemon trees. If a tour of a vineyard or olive grove is high on your vacation list, Desenzano will not disappoint.
Inside the shops, villas, restaurants, and castles you’ll note floor mosaics, fine artwork, and references to the baroque era. The bustling town, the 15th century port, the shopping, the historical buildings, and el fresco restaurants exude an upscale resort ambiance.
Lecco – Como’s Pretty Sister
It’s eye opening to some that the city of Como is not the only place to view Lake Como, Itay’s third largest lake. Como is positioned on the southwestern tip of this famed lake covering 56 square miles. On the southeastern side of the lake you will find the quaint city of Lecco.
Lecco features a beautiful promenade that is perfect for walking, and enjoying the boating scene for which Como is renowned. Lecco is also home to a historic district that is rich with restaurants, shops, a marina, and impressive buildings dating to the 1300s.
With twin mountain ranges serving as a backdrop, Lecco’s views go head-to-head with the more internationally famous Como, Bellagio, and Varenna. A vintage boat tour is a picturesque way to capture Lecco’s beauty and history.
Northern Italy – A Mountain of Reasons to Go
So there you have it, five under the radar destinations that capture what makes Northern Italy a remarkable Alpine escape. Whether your passion leans toward mountain landscapes, sailing on a scenic lake, al fresco dining, or architecture with centuries of stories to tell, Northern Italy is sure to color your world with memories that will last a lifetime.
