Day Trippin’ Italy, Part 1

Day Trippin’ in Italy was one of my favorite ways to visit some of the smaller cities near Milan.  I thoroughly enjoyed Milan and would definitely stay there again as a home base.  There are numerous small cities, towns and lakes a little over an hour by train from Milano Centrale.  Day trippin’ in different cities in northern Italy proved to be a valuable lesson in navigating my way through Italy.  

Milano Centrale

This trip, my first time for international travel with a girlfriend offered many opportunities to prove to myself that I can travel as the Europeans do. Learning to read the bus schedule to reach the metro station of choice and deciphering the train system were actually simple after the first couple of days.  I felt so accomplished every time I took us to a new destination and now have the confidence to travel solo. Independent travel greatly interests me and I look forward to my first trip alone.  Where shall I go?  Leave me a comment below if you have a fabulous suggestion or can offer me advice!

Day trippin’ #1.   My traveling companion and I took our first day trip to Lake Garda, 118K from Milan, or 73 miles.  Travel time by train approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes.  We chose the town of Sirmione positioned on a peninsula on the southern bank of Lake Garda.  This picturesque town is pedestrian friendly with cobblestone paths, narrow streets and plentiful views of Lake Garda.  Sirmione, considered one of Europe’s most important thermal centers offers many options for taking the healing waters.  We actually decided to stay the night and make it a double day trip!

Sirmione on Lake Garda, Italy

We arrived by rail at Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione station and hopped into our hired Mercedes-Benz for the scenic ride to the peninsula and our final destination of Hotel Olivi with beautiful views of the lake.  Hotel Olivi offers understated glamour with cordial, excellent service. The lobby is inviting with a neutral color scheme accented by the soothing colors of the water.  A small bar, beautiful restaurant and entrance to the spa are all located off of the main lobby.

Hotel Olivi Sirmione

The inviting lobby of Hotel Olivi.

Sunroom at Hotel Olivi

After settling into our room with a lake view, we set off to explore Sirmione.  This tiny town provides plenty of cafes, gelato shops, boutiques, food and wine establishments, history and gorgeous views of Lake Garda. We easily spent our days winding through the narrow streets and alleys and enjoying the relaxing vibe with ever present views of the water and mountains in the background.

View from the shores of Lake Garda

Narrow alleys and cobblestone streets award Sirmione an abundance of charm.

Since this visit to Italy coincided with COVID19 and the ensuing restrictions we were not able to visit inside Scaliger Castle, a 13th century castle, and rare example of medieval fortification.  Next time….We were able to venture inside the oldest and most impressive of the churches in Sirmione, the church of San Pietro in Mavino, built in the 8th-century, and renovated in the 14th-century.

The medieval Scaliger Castle.

Built in the 8th century Church of San Pietro in Mavino offers frescoes from the 12th-16th century.

Inside the Church of San Pietro in Mavino reside frescoes dating from the 12th- 16th centuries.

Sirmione is at the top of my list of favorite places I have visited in Italy.  There is so much more I could share with you but it is time to move on to our next Day Trippin’ destination of Bergamo. Widely acclaimed as a city of rare beauty, Bergamo is famous for it’s wealth of artistic treasures and enchanting medieval atmosphere. The decision to visit Bergamo was made at the last minute and we were only able to spend a few hours there.  We laughed that we could say we traveled there “just for lunch”!  

We headed to Milano Centrale once again to catch the train for a ride of less than an hour to Bergamo.  One very important thing to remember when traveling by train in Europe is to “stamp” your tickets before boarding the train.  I hear the fines can be expensive and I suppose embarrassing.  There are signs at the ticket windows when purchasing to remind us to validate!!  Off we go to Bergamo!

Always remember to validate your ticket before boarding the train to avoid fines and embarrassment !

Split into two sections: alto (the old town atop a hill) and basso (the newer town inhabiting the plains below) comprises the beautiful city of Bergamo.  We hired a car to take us to the old town since our time was limited, however there is a funicular to whisk you to the top as well.  Upon exiting the taxi and strolling into Piazza Vecchia we were immediately met with the feel of a medieval town; grand arched columns, a 12th century bell tower, and Renaissance-era buildings.  

Piazza Vecchio in Bergamo, Italy

Santa Maria Maggiore, Founded in 1137

It was a cloudy, dreary day weather wise yet we never let the weather dampen our spirits.  It does however make getting gorgeous photos a challenge.  This remarkable church which offers two entrances was closed due to Corona virus but judging by the external Lombard Romanesque features fused with Gothic, I suppose we missed quite a spectacular interior. The porch, a room or gallery placed in front of the main facade that forms a low front, is supported by columns rising from lions in Veronese marble.  

Porch of Santa Maria Maggiore

Veronese Marble Lions dated 1353

Strolling through the old town brought on hunger pangs and we couldn’t have been happier with the restaurant we chose.  The board outside advertising polenta with fresh local cheese and porcini mushrooms invited us in to Bar Botticelli.  A cheerful, cozy cafe with mustard yellow walls set off by black and white tile floors, bar and ancient brick arches.  

Bar Botticelli

Polenta, porcini, cheese and butter – a local speciality.

Offerings of local wine and specialities of the region satisfied our empty tummies and we were off to explore a bit more of Bergamo before heading back to our home base, Milan.  Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Bergamo is hilly with views across Lombardy.  We missed many of the sites in Bergamo, such as walking the city walls, riding to the top of the Tower of the Campanone or visiting the museums due to time restraints and closure of museums – thank you COVID19.  

Narrow cobblestone streets of Bergamo.

In Piazza Vecchia your eye is immediately drawn to the white marble Contarini fountain.

When travel is again available for Americans to visit Italy, Bergamo is on my list of places to revisit as there is so much more to explore.  I found Bergamo to be one of Italy’s most charming cities.

Colorful home in Bergamo – are those chimneys or bird houses on top? I do not know!

This home captivated me – so quaint and it had lovely views of the new town below.

Lions crouch around town, a reminder that Bergamo was a stronghold for the powerful Venetian republic which ruled for more than 300 years.

What countries will you venture to when travel opens up?  Italy, Portugal and Spain, Chile and Argentina and Turkey are all on my list. Both Sirmione and Bergamo will be on my itinerary for more than a day trip when I next visit Italy.  Day Trippin’ Part 2 will be up on the blog soon.  I’ll share my stories about our visits to Lake Como and Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet.  I am also working on a Day Trippin’ video that I hope to be able to present to you.  If not on the blog on my Orange Bee FB page.