Exploring Northern Italy

Recently David Jones and Nicky Brandon led a familiarization trip to northern Italy to discover just what everyone has been missing out on in Milan and Lake Como.

Italy – it’s a country full of romance and grace, deep history, and incredibly influential in the areas of cuisine, art, and architecture. It’s got the heavy hitters like Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast, which each bring in a large number of tourists each year. There is, however, a region that packs just as much style and elegance as the more widely known areas, yet is commonly overlooked by Americans. Northern Italy.

Northern Italy

Just inside Italy’s northern border, you’ll find picturesque landscapes of hills and valleys, the snowy peaks of the Alps, Lake Como, and the Italian fashion mecca of Milan. While the rest of us have taken our time to catch onto the appeal, it’s something Hollywood’s elite have known about for years. Recently David and Nicky lead a familiarization trip for some of our agents to region and created an itinerary ideal for discovering the area in true luxury and style.

You’ll start in Milan, a walkable city with small cafes, art galleries, and treasures that survived World War II, like the opera house and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. For three nights, you’ll be accommodated in the Armani Hotel Milano. With interiors hand-selected by Giorgio Armani, the Armani Hotel Milano is the embodiment of elegance, comfort, and sophistication and it is just minutes away from the beautiful Duomo. While in Milan, enjoy lunch at Il Salumaio in the Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi building, and a private tour of the city where you’ll visit the Duomo, La Scala opera house, Sforza Castle, and the fashion district.

Northern Italy

Then head farther north for three nights at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo at Lake Como, with a stop en route for lunch in Lugano. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of the oldest luxury hotels on Lake Como with a stunning location that offers unparalleled views of the lake, Bellagio, and the Grigne mountains. Spend the morning on a boat cruising the idyllic waters of Lake Como and an afternoon at the spa. The day is yours to relax, unwind, and take it all in. If you wish, there is an option for a helicopter tour of the lake, and if you want to get out and explore the region, you might consider a full day tour of Verona.

As with any Ker & Downey journey, each itinerary is tailored to your desires and preferences, but we think this is a great place to start. Of the journey, Ted Bradpiece of Two Bears Travel said, “Northern Italy really does get overlooked a lot so from an American standpoint, it is not really an explored area so it is definitely something very new to people. Both cities have a great vibe to it. Milan, though old, has a modern feel, but people still take time to relax and enjoy themselves. Lake Como is pure relaxation, not fast paced at all, and place to go and recharge yourself.”