Lombardy is the leading industrial and commercial region of Italy. Iron, steel, automobiles, trucks and machinery are produced here. It is a finance center, a wholesale and retail hub and considered the international gateway to Northern Italy. It is a center for animal breeding for cattle and pigs and produces 30% of the country’s milk. Now, that’s all very interesting, but some more exciting information is that it’s also a fashion hub, Leonardo da Vinci rose to artistic prominence here, the scenery belongs on a postcard, it’s got castles, cathedrals, celebrities and flagship stores for top fashion designers.

Have we piqued your interest? Advisors at GetAway Travel can get you to the Lombardy region for a fabulous adventure.

Fantastic cathedral, superb museums

 Milan is Lombardy’s capital city and the second largest city in Italy. It is home to Italy’s largest cathedral and, the country’s oldest shopping mall.

The Piazza del Duomo is Milan’s main city square and you can’t miss the Duomo also known as the Milan Cathedral. Huge, intricate, breathtaking, it took more than 500 years to complete.

Spanning 126,000 square feet, it one of the largest Roman Catholic cathedrals in the world and the third largest of any cathedral in the world. There is a dress code — no shorts, hats or miniskirts and no off the shoulder or low-cut blouses if you are planning on going inside.

It was constructed of pinkish, white marble sourced from Lake Maggiore and the building built in Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical styles is just as impressive inside as it is outside.

The roof of the Duomo is decorated with more than 100 towers and thousands of sculptures. You can get a closer look at the decorative features on the Duomo terraces on the rooftop. There’s also fabulous views of the city and the Alps from the roof. Take the 250 stairs up, or, thankfully, take the elevator.

The interior features lovely stained glass windows, beautiful patterned floors made of marble and impressive soaring columns. The Duomo Museum, on site, gives insight into the history of the cathedral and also has collections of sculptures, paintings, terracotta and tapestries.

The Santa Maria delle Grazie church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is where Leonardo Da Vinci painted “The Last Supper.” The fresco, an unforgettable piece of art history, is located in the rectory.

There are no shortages of museums in the city as well as on the grounds of Sforzesco Castle.

Around the city you will find: The Pincacoteca di Brera, the city’s premiere art museum with a vast collection of paintings by Italian artists including Raphael, Caravaggio and Montegna; the Museo del Novecento has modern and contemporary art including pieces from Giorgio de Chirico, Umberto Boccioni and Lucio Fontana; contemporary art leaning more towards the decorative arts can be found at the Fondazione Prada with furniture, glass, ceramics, paintings and sculptures, from the medieval period to the 18th century. The Museo Bagatti Valsecchi has decorative art from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Castle extraordinaire, opera temple and shopping

Sforzesco Castle is a huge castle built on the foundation of a 14th century fortress. There are several museums on the grounds as well as a stunning library. With its majestic architectural footprint, it is considered one of the premiere castles in Italy and its where Leonardo da Vinci spent his golden years as an artist.

There are seven museums on the grounds including the Museum of Ancient Art, Furniture Museum, Picture Gallery, Museum of Decorative Arts, Museum of Musical Instruments and the Pietà Rondanini-Michelangelo Museum.

A smaller town square in Milan, the Piazza della Scala, with a statue of da Vinci in the middle, is where you will find the Teatro all Scala, also known as the Temple of Opera. If you can’t make a performance, take a tour and see the Royal Box, backstage, the orchestra pit, the workings under the stage and a museum with fabulous collections of performance costumes and musical instruments.

You can combine history and shopping at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping mall. Light pours in through the top of the iron and glass roof which is also artfully lighted at night. There are shops, cafés and restaurants, some of which have been in existence since 1867 and have served the likes of Verdi, Puccini and Sinatra. Some of the most expensive fashion houses in the world, Louis Vitton, Prada and Gucci, to name a few, have their flagship stores here. Even the floor is fabulous, with all 12 of the signs of the Zodiac done in mosaic tiles.

Celebrities, scenery and silk in Lake Como

Watch for celebrities at the resort town of Lake Como, but don’t let that deter you from looking at the gorgeous scenery and wonderful lake. Glacial Lake Como is the deepest freshwater lake in the country. Don’t miss the “Life Electric” sculpture which is lakeside. It pays homage to Alessandro Volta, a Como native, who invited the electric battery.

Towering over the skyline is the Como Cathedral. Recognized as one of the most significant Gothic churches in Northern Italy, it has an imposing facade which includes a large dome. There are impressive art pieces, frescoes and tapestries in the palatial interior.

Lake Como is the silk capital of Italy. Silk from this area is sourced by top designers from all over the world. Visit the Silk Museum for a lesson on what goes into making this shimmering fabric.

The Villa del Balbianello is on the shores of the lake and it offers great views of the lake as well as the surrounding villas. The grounds of the villa are stunning and they will probably look familiar. Star Wars Episode II and Casino Royale were filmed here.

The International Museum of Vintage Boats is on the lake’s western shore. There are more than 400 vessels on display. I Vetri di Bellagio is an artisan glass shop and so, so much more. In existence since 1952, enjoy two stories of delicate and intricate glasswork including, lamps, glasses, Christmas ornaments and other holiday decorations.

If you are watching for celebrities, you might see George Clooney, Madonna, Richard Branson, Sylvester Stallone, Gianna Versace or soccer great Ronaldinho.

Interested in Milan and Lake Como? GetAway Travel has the perfect itinerary for you! Reach us at: (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel