Page 11 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

Introducing Northern and Central Italy 9

Introducing Northern and Central Italy

The culture, cuisine, traditions and landscape of specialities at the breakfast table. In Northern
Northern and Central Italy are best appreciated and Central Italy – whether driving through the
close up, and there is no better way to home in Alpine peaks of the Alto-Adige, over the rolling
on this endlessly fascinating part of the world hillsides of Le Langhe or along the Adriatic
than to slow down, leave the busy autostrada coast in Le Marche – the visitor will never be far
and explore the countryside by its back roads. from beautiful towns rich in culture and history,
Follow one road to a vineyard and meet a prize- evocative landscapes and gourmet delights.
winning winemaker; pull over on another to let Travelling the back roads reveals how, beneath
a shepherd pass with his flock; or take a third the contemporary surface, a world that many
to experience the genuine hospitality of a B&B thought had ceased to exist half a century
owner proudly introducing you to regional ago is alive and well, and as alluring as ever.

When to Go surge in traffic levels. Schools break strawberries or cherries. Carnevale
Each drive includes a recommendation up for summer in mid-June and sees masked and fancy-dress parades
for the ideal time to make the trip. resume in mid-September. The Easter in many towns and villages, most
This may be because the scenery is holidays usually begin on the Thursday spectacularly in Venice and Ivrea.
at its best or rivers are at their highest before Easter and end on the Monday Ferragosto is marked by free outdoor
and most spectacular, or perhaps or Tuesday afterwards. Summer week- concerts, dancing and often fireworks.
because the azaleas or apple ends and days around public holidays
blossom are in bloom. There might be can also be very busy on the roads. Public Holidays
a local festival taking place, or it could
be that a certain food is in season. Festivals New Year’s Day (1 Jan)
The weather, of course, is also a factor. Festivals and fairs take place all over Epiphany (6 Jan)
The northern half of Italy has a varied Italy throughout the year. As well as Easter Sunday and Monday
climate falling into three distinct the Easter and Christmas festivities, Liberation Day (25 Apr)
geographical zones: in the north, every town and village has a patron Labour Day (1 May)
expect cold, Alpine winters and warm, saint, and each one marks its saint’s Republic Day (2 Jun)
wet summers; in the vast central Po day with special celebrations. Spring Ferragosto (15 Aug)
valley, summers are hot and humid and autumn are the best times for All Souls’ Day (1 Nov)
and winters damp, foggy and freezing; sagras, festivals devoted to local foods. Immaculate Conception of the
Tuscany, Umbria and Le Marche enjoy Mushroom, sausage, olive oil, chestnut Blessed Virgin Mary (8 Dec)
a more clement climate, with long, and wine sagras are common in Christmas Day (25 Dec)
hot summers and relatively mild autumn, while spring sagras are Santo Stefano (26 Dec)
winters. In general, the best times to often devoted to seasonal fruits like
visit Northern and Central Italy are
spring and autumn, ideally between
April and June or September and
October, when the climate should be
mild without being too hot, and the
whole region is generally much less
crowded than in high summer.
Times to Avoid
As far as possible, roads and airports
should be avoided at the beginning
of August and in the days just before
and after Ferragosto (15 August), the
national summer holiday. The start
of school holidays also sees a great

Left The pretty resort village of Limone sul Garda,
on the shores of Lake Garda Above The springtime ritual of Calendimaggio, celebrated in Assisi

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