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.

Al Volt

An old fashioned restaurant with fancy gilt mirrors and lacy tablecloths. A china cup of parsnip cream soup is offered "on the house", main courses are innovative and use the best fresh produce, try the mousse of char with apple puree to start followed by brochettes of caregone in white wine sauce, the tiramasiu is a must and should be slowly savoured. The wine is locally produced and the finest on offer in the area, allow about 30 euro per head for 3 courses with wine. This restaurant will exceed all expectations and is used by the locals, often a testament in itself.
Arco Castle

The town of Arco, set back from Lake Garda, is amazing, one of Italy's secrets. It is steeped in History with beautiful buildings and lovely little shops down enchanting alleyways.

The Botanical Gardens is an absolute padarise and free to enter while further up the hill the ruined castle gives tremendous views down to Riva Del Garda and the lake.

The bus fare into Riva is only a euro and, if you wish, there are coach excursions into wine country, The Dolomites, Verona, Milan and Venice.
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.
cioccolat italiani

This smart newly opened cafe serves the best ice cream in the whole of Milan. It's simply divine. They pour warm chocolate in a cone and then you choose from a range of delicious flavours. Perfect!
Hotel Victoria, Varenna

Just across the lake from Bellagio, the Hotel Victoria sits across the plaza from a Roman Church. Our room was a bit noisy, the door was over the stairwell to the restaurant, but it made up for it with a beautiful patio off the bedroom. The patio was high up the hillside and overlooked the entire lake. Hotels in Varenna are priced more reasonable than their counterparts in Bellagio, and a short ferry ride is the perfect introduction to the beautiful town of Bellagio. Often billed as Europe's most romantic town, I have to agree that Bellagio is one of the most blissful places I've ever been.
Lake Iseo

Lake Iseo sits between Bergamo and Brescia, west of Lake Garda. It's not so commercialised as the better known lakes and makes a lovely holiday destination.