Lombardy's Renaissance trail: Private day trip from Milan

The traces of the Renaissance are the building blocks of Cremona alongside its pride and joy: violins.

What to see

• Discover violin-making heritage at the Violin Museum
• The stately architecture of the Palazzo Comunale

What to do 

• Climb the third-highest bell tower in the world: Torrazzo of Cremona 

What to try

•  Visit Negozio Sperlari for Cremona’s traditional nougats

Take note

• Verify prices and opening times for the violin museum and consider booking in advance: https://museodelviolino.org/en/biglietti/

Where can be a better stop for a Renaissance trail than a town built on the Renaissance concept of the “ideal city”?

What to see

• The original 16th-century stage at Teatro all'Antica
• The elegant private rooms of Vespasiano Gonzaga at Palazzo Ducale

What to do

• Stroll through the long corridors of Galleria degli Antichi
• Walk along the perfect hexagonal design of the streets, stopping for an al fresco lunch

What to try

• Pumpkin tortellini, a regional specialty

Welcome to the Italian Capital of Culture, as it was chosen in 2016. This city is a magnet for history, art, and architecture lovers from all over the world: its old town center alone stands as a Renaissance masterpiece.

What to see

• The famous fresco cycle at Palazzo Te
• Intricate architecture of the Basilica of Sant'Andrea

What to do

• Take a stroll around Piazza delle Erbe
• Tour the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the oldest church in the city

What to try

• Tortelli di zucca in the family-owned restaurant Antica Osteria Fragoletta