Northern Lakes

Located between Milan and the Alps is the region of Lombardy (Lombardia), home to the Northern Lakes, the most famous of which are Lake Garda (the largest lake in Italy), Lake Como (the deepest) and Lake Maggiore (the second largest). Because of their breath-taking natural beauty the Lakes are a popular travel destination, with many interesting places to visit. Don’t miss the fortress town of Sirmione on Lake Garda, with its drawbridge entrance to its 13th-century Scaligero Castle, or the historic city of Mantova (Mantua) founded in 2,000 BC and now the capital of Lombardy, which is surrounded on three sides by man-made lakes, created in the 12th century, and is famous for its magnificent ancient palaces. South of the Northern Lakes is Milan, Italy's second largest city with its famous landmarks such as the Duomo (Milan Cathedral), the Vittorio Emanuele II shopping plaza, the La Scala Opera House, as well as Sforza Castle and Piazza del Duomo. Just south of Milan is the medieval university town of Pavia, where you’ll find the Oasi di Sant'Alessio bird sanctuary, in the grounds of one of oldest castles in Europe.