DK Travel : Milan and the Lakes

Milan is Italy’s economic powerhouse, a bustling city of finance and industry, media empires and fashion houses, backed up by an impressive cultural heritage of important art galleries and ancient churches. Yet a 40-minute train ride takes you to the azure pools of “the lakes”, lined with fishing villages, villas and laid-back resorts.

Caffè Martini

This café may be overpriced but is great for Duomo views and watching the people, processions and protest rallies at Milan’s heart.
Caffe' Panzera

Company name: Caffe' Panzera Address: Piazza Duca d'Aosta 10, 20124 Milan, Italy Phone nr. +39-02-6692647 Website: www.caffepanzera.it

Restaurant, coffee-house and confectionary, “Caffe’ Panzera” was opened in 1931 by the Panzera family. Family over business, the mission is to be synonymous with tradition and quality.

Awarded as “Bottega Storica”, for decades it has distinguished itself in quality produce, courtesy as well as the care taken in always offering a service meeting its clients’ expectations.

It is elegant and lively at the same time. Special attention has always been given to its interior design; at the opening it was featured in several interior design magazines. Since then it has been renewed several times, always keeping in mind the historical charme and the footprints of the ‘30s.

Particular care is taken in the choice of natural first quality ingredients. All the offerings are home-made with selected ingredients.

The confectionary offers mignonne pastries and biscuits, chocolates, marrons glacés and pralines, cakes for many tastes, croissant and breakfast specilities. And Panettone, the well-known cake of Milan. For those who want to bring home a special gift a variety of boxes are available.

The restaurant is based on the most genuine Italian tradition, in particular the Milanese cuisine. “Ossobuco con risotto” (marrowbone with saffron risotto) and “Cotoletta alla milanese” (breaded veal cutlet) are among our best. We also offer traditional pizza as well as vegetarian dishes.

Completing the offering the comfortable and very light 80 sqm room at the upper floor suitable for hosting business meetings, cocktails, private dinners and banqueting.
Campeggio Citta di Milano

Milan’s only campground is by the SS22 road to Novara (take bus 72 from the De Angeli Metro stop) near the San Siro stadium. It’s got four-star facilities – pool, sports, disco – plus a waterpark nearby.
Campeggio Garda, Limone, Lake Garda

Just outside the historic centre of Limone, on its own private beach, this camping site offers wind-surfing and sailing, and two pools. The grounds include a fish restaurant, wood-oven pizzeria, beach grill, and supermarket.
Camping Brione, Riva, Lake Garda

Set in greenery near the beach, the camping and caravan site has minigolf, swimming and tennis. Small tents can be pitched amid olive terraces.
Camping Conca d’Oro, Feriolo di Baveno, Lake Maggiore

The verdant campground lies outside Baveno in the Toce stream natural reserve. Amenities include a restaurant, mini-market, bikes and kayaks, video games and sports on a white-sand beach.
Camping del Sole, Lake Iseo

This large camping site offers plenty of greenery right on the lake (book ahead for the precious few lakeside sites). Facilities include a restaurant, market, cycle hire, laundry, as well as two pools and tennis and basketball courts.
Camping Isolino, Verbania, Lake Maggiore

This oasis of tranquillity sits on the promontory of a natural reserve along a private sandy beach. It’s one of the best-equipped in the region, with a market, pizzeria, restaurant, video games, pool, mountain bike excursions, Latin dancing, windsurfing lessons and even a disco.
Camping Villaggio Gefara, Domaso, Lake Como

This small, two-star campground sits right on the beach, with a bar and laundry room, beach volleyball, and plenty of shops and watersports nearby.
Cannero Riviera

The name “Riviera” is apt, for this sheltered promontory has a truly Mediterranean clime, enabling citrus trees and camellias to flourish, despite its relatively northern locale. The lake vistas, steep medieval streets and 18th-century houses give it a pleasant feel. Most striking are the scraps of islands just offshore, sprouting glowering castles built by lake pirates in the 1400s (see Lake Maggiore) and used by the Borromeo clan as a defensive line against the Swiss.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €110
- €110-€160
- €160-€210
- €210-€270
- over €270
Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €20
- €20-€30
- €30-€40
- €40-€50
- over €50