Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

14  INTRODUCING IT AL Y

A Week in Day 2: Lake Como
Northern Italy Lake Como (pp194–5), its long
arms nestling between steep
• Airports Arrive at Milano hillsides, is a prime example of
Malpensa airport and depart Italy's exquisite landscapes.
from Pisa Galileo Galilei. Cruise the lake or take short ferry
• Transport Trains connect hops across the water, admiring
the cities in 2 hours or less. the resplendent villas along the
Use the bus to reach Siena way. Explore Bellagio, or take a
from Florence, and hire a car funicular up into the hills.
for the Cinque Terre, leaving
it at La Spezia for the local Day 3: Venice
train. It is easy to make day Pick a day from the city itinerary
trips to Lake Como from on p13.
Milan, the Veneto from
Venice and the Cinque Day 4: The Veneto – Verona,
Terre from Florence. Vicenza and Padua Rolling fields in Tuscany
Pick from a trio of towns, all
• Booking ahead Milan:
within striking distance of Manarola and Riomaggiore –
viewing of Last Supper;
Venice: Basilica di San Venice. Lively Verona (pp146– are the jewels of Italy’s north-
Marco; Florence: Accademia, 151) conjures up Shakespeare’s west coast. Colourful houses
Uffizi; Pisa: ascent of the Romeo and Juliet, and crowds cling to the rocky cliffs, making
Leaning Tower. still flock to see Juliet’s balcony. a hike along the connecting
Famous for concerts is the well- path a delight to the eye. You
preserved Roman Arena (p147), can do the whole trail (north
while the Romanesque church to south is less steep) in 5 or
Day 1: Milan of San Zeno Maggiore (pp150– 6 hours.
If you’re looking for Italian 51) has a lovely cloister.
style, high fashion, art and Admirers of Palladio will Day 7: Tuscany – Lucca,
architecture, Milan (pp196–205), appreciate Vicenza (pp154–7), Pisa and Siena
the largest city of the north, where his elegant Classical These three Tuscan towns are
has it all. Heading up the list of buildings surround the Piazza less busy than Florence, yet
sights is Leonardo da Vinci’s dei Signori. Padua (pp158–63) they offer a cultural feast with
world-famous Last Supper is known for its Cappella the bonus of an enchanting
(p204). Visit the enormous dei Scrovegni (pp160–61), landscape. If time is tight,
Gothic Duomo (p197), which containing some wonderful visit two. In Lucca (pp324–7),
invites a climb to its roof for frescoes by Giotto. promenade the encircling
the best city view. For glorious 17th-century grassy ramparts
paintings from the Renaissance Day 5: Florence and visit the church of San
to the present day, don’t miss Pick a day from the city itinerary Michele in Foro, its exquisite
the Pinacoteca di Brera (pp202– on p12. Pisan-Romanesque façade
203), and for those who enjoy bursting with decoration. Pisa
shopping, Galleria Vittorio Day 6 : Cinque Terre (pp328–30) is the home of the
Emanuele II (p198), with its The five tiny villages of the iconic 13th-century Leaning
magnificent glass dome and Cinque Terre (p245) – Tower, which, together with the
floor mosaics, is a must. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Duomo and Baptistry, forms
the Campo dei Miracoli. Siena
(pp342–7) is one of Italy´s most
appealing medieval towns and
home to the twice-yearly Palio
(p345), when Piazza del Campo
comes alive with spirited
bareback horse racing. Within
striking distance of the piazza
are the Gothic Palazzo Pubblico,
which contains a treasure trove
of frescoes from the Middle
Ages, and the magnificent
Duomo (pp346–7). En route
from Pisa to Siena, try to catch
a glimpse of the 13 medieval
towers that pierce the skyline in
San Gimignano (pp348–9). The
Pretty Bellagio, which sits on a peninsula at the top of Lake Como’s two “arms” view is magical in the evening.
For practical information on travelling around Italy, see pp628–35

012-017_EW_Italy.indd 14 4/4/17 5:31 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Great days out/City itinerary template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.1)
Date 20th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm