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Bergamo -

Beautiful Bergamo is one of Europe's most stunning hilltop towns. Its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Città alta (upper city), surrounded by Venetian walls, dates back to the 16th century.

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Bergamo -

A scenic view of Bergamo's historic center, and the landmark Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and Cappella Colleoni.

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Bergamo -

Bergamo is equally stunning behind the scenes. Just look at the dome interior of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Lake Como -

One of the most picturesque lakes in the world, Como is the location of some truly enchanting towns, including bewitching Bellagio (pictured).

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Lake Como -

Located on the western shore of Lake Como is Menaggio, a favorite recreational resort during the summer.

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Lake Como -

Pictured: Varenna from the air. This attractive lakeside town is known for the beautiful gardens at Villa Monastero.

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Milan -

Crowds mingle in front of the Duomo di Milano, the city's outstanding cathedral church. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Milan -

Shoppers circulating throughout the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's oldest shopping mall, and one of its most eye-catching. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Milan -

The magnificent Castello Sforzesco was built in the 15th century. It houses several museums and art collections.

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Milan -

An absolute don't miss is Santa Maria delle Grazie. The church contains the world famous mural of 'The Last Supper' by Leonardo da Vinci, which is in the refectory of the convent. A deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Milan -

Spend time browsing the art collections at the Pinacoteca di Brera, the main public gallery for paintings in Milan. Pictured: San Luca altarpiece by Andrea Mantegna, 1453.

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Milan -

Visitors relaxing in Parco Sempione, the city's tranquil park. The grand triumphal arch called Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) is seen in the distance.

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Brescia -

Founded over 3,200 years ago, Brescia is famed for the best-preserved Roman public buildings in northern Italy, attractions that include the Capitolium on Piazza del Foro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Brescia -

The destination's medieval Castello di Brescia crowns Cidneo Hill and is the star of the city's skyline.

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Brescia -

The monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's famed as much for its dazzling interior frescoes as the diversity of its architecture, which includes Roman remains and significant pre-Romanesque, Romanesque, and Renaissance buildings.

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Mantua -

Surrounded on three sides by lakes, Mantua appears as if built on an island. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Mantua -

Mantua's centro storico (old town) has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic buildings, an example of which is the Cattedrale di San Pietro apostolo with its unusual mix of 14th- and 18th-century architectural styles.

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Mantua -

Be sure to wander inside the Palazzo del Te for the extraordinary 'Fall of the Giants' fresco by Giulio Romano, which invents an overhead dome and seemingly dissolves the room it's painted in. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Valcamonica (Camonica Valley) -

Located at Valcamonica in eastern Lombardy are a series of rock drawings, many of which were made over a time period of eight thousand years preceding the Iron Age.

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Valcamonica (Camonica Valley) -

More than 140,000 figures and symbols have been identified, and constitute the largest collections of prehistoric petroglyphs in the world.

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Valcamonica (Camonica Valley) -

The ancient artwork was recognized by UNESCO in 1979, and was Italy's first listed World Heritage Site. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Lake Garda -

Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake and a sparkling gem in Lombardy's tourism crown.

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Lake Garda -

Pretty Limone sul Garda is typical of the towns that embellish the lake's shoreline.

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Lake Garda -

But stunning Sirmione is in a visual league of its own. The 13th-century Castello Scaligero di Sirmione is a rare example of medieval port fortification and lends the destination an even greater sense of charm.

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Cremona -

Cremona is noted for two characteristics: its collection of Romanesque-Gothic churches—of which the Duomo di Cremona and Torrazzo (bell tower) is the most famous—and its musical history and traditions.

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Cremona -

Cremona is the birthplace of Antonio Stradivari (c. 1644 –1737). His name is synonymous with the finest and most expensive violins in the world. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Cremona -

Set within the 14th-century Torrazzo is the largest astronomical clock in the world. Its face represents the sky, with zodiac constellations and the Sun and Moon moving through them.

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Lake Iseo -

The fourth largest lake in the Lombardy region, Iseo features a number of islands including Montisola (pictured).

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Lake Iseo -

Diminutive Loreta Island is privately owned, but still makes for a romantic excursion from the mainland.

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Lake Iseo -

Crowning Montisola Island is the shrine of Madonna della Ceriola, which sits 600 m (1,969 ft) above sea level. It can only be reached by walking from the small village of Cure, but the jaw-dropping views from the summit are worth the effort.

See also: Explore Europe's cute little countries.

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