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WHERE NOW GRAND TOUR

artists like Titian, Perugino, Leonardo da Vinci
The Italian ‘Lake district’
and Correggio to her court. Inspired by his
Over the past few years, due to the influx mother’s passion for collecting art, Federico II
of Hollywood celebrities, Lake Como has invited Raphael’s pupil Giulio
become the most famous of all the lakes. An
Discovering almost uninterrupted sequence of villas, each Bologna,
with its own landing stage, decorates the
banks of this idyllic lakeside resort. However,
Italian Landscape Northern Italy also has two other famous the university of Italy
Built in 1088, most historians agree that the
lakes that attract visitors from far and wide:
Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda. The former
in the world. Thanks to the continuous
is more tranquil and shadier, while the latter, University of Bologna is the oldest university
The variety and beauty of its “landscape” so vast that it looks like a still sea, is more turnover of students from all over the world,
is what makes Italy unique. This term is not vibrant and windier. Its expanse of water from medieval times to the present day, this
university has made Bologna a vibrant city
always easily translatable but relates to the and the diversity of the countryside make from many aspects; cultural, creative, artistic
the area a real outdoor recreation ground.
environment and the many ways in which Como, Maggiore and Garda combine to and social. It is therefore not surprising that
man has transformed it, during its multi- form one of the most enchanting splashes of many people relate to the words of Giosuè
Carducci, one of the most important Italian
faceted history. The result is a combination scenery in Northern Italy. Garda, in particular, poets, who wrote in 1888: “I love Bologna;
is renowned for its fabulous citrus fruits and
of nature and art that delights the eye and DOP olive oil. for the faults, the mistakes, the follies of my
the heart. youth which I committed here, and which
Mantua, I cannot regret, but I love it more because
it’s beautiful.” Must-visit sights include the
the city of the Gonzagas
historic centre with its porticoes and towers,
Though less well-known than Venice or streets and markets, and main square with
Florence, Mantua, a charming city situated the enormous Basilica di San Petronio. Its hilly
in Northern Italy on the banks of the surroundings are also breathtaking.
River Mincio, is packed with art treasures.
Governed by the Gonzaga family for four Portofino, home to
centuries, from circa 1300 to 1700, this
Lombard city experienced its maximum the ‘piazzetta’ and
period of splendour during the Renaissance, mysterious villas
when its most famous masterpieces were With its narrow streets leading down to
executed. A renowned patron of the arts, the sea, pastel-washed houses and crystal
Isabella d’Este, the Marchesa of Mantua and clear waters, Portofino is the ideal harbor. It
the wife of Federico Gonzaga, summoned is therefore no surprise that since ancient

Taormina

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