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.

Lubiam, Mantova

One of Italy’s top tailors of men’s suits since 1911 – this warehouse outlet holds a staggering array of choices (over 1,000 suits, 1,500 jackets etc) at 35% off the usual prices.
Lugana

This balanced white is made from Trebbiano grapes on the southern shores of Lake Garda.
Luini

Luini may serve only panzerotti (pockets of stuffed dough), but there are always long lines of people eager to eat them.
L’Europa Riconosciuta (1778)

Salieri’s bellicose but lighthearted opera opened La Scala on 3 August 1778.
Madame Butterfly (1904)

Puccini’s tale of enduring love between a Japanese geisha and an American soldier.
Magazzini Generali

Cavernous Magazzini Generali is a little bit of everything. It has a stage and auditorium that seats 1,000 for live acts, it can become a huge disco, it has a gallery for exhibitions, and it fits in live poetry readings and more besides.
Malcesine

Among exhibitions on local natural history and prehistory, the town’s castle contains a room devoted to Goethe, who was briefly imprisoned as a suspected Austrian spy when he was caught sketching the castle.
Malcesine, Malcesine

The town’s oldest hotel sits on the little port square – ask for a room overlooking the water. The low prices also include half-board.
Mantova

The palaces, churches and artworks by Mantegna and Giulio Romano help make Mantova, too, one of the entire region’s Top 10.

Mantova

Mantova
Mantova

The ancient seat of the Gonzaga dukes – ringed on three sides by shallow lakes – boasts Renaissance palaces designed and decorated by the likes of Mantegna and Giulio Romano.

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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