02 March 2024
Discover the hidden side to Italy’s cities
Italy’s enchanting cities are far more diverse than most people give them credit for. No matter what type of traveller you are, there’s an Italian city to explore…
Italy’s enchanting cities are far more diverse than most people give them credit for. No matter what type of traveller you are, there’s an Italian city to explore…
All images: Shutterstock
From splendid Turin to romantic Verona, Italy’s cities are as diverse as they are beautiful. The country has no shortage of charming spots that will appeal to every kind of traveller, each with its own allure and abundance of culinary delights. Here we take a deeper dive into four of them…
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A thriving university town with a compact medieval core, Bologna is the capital of the Emilia Romagna region and the country’s gastronomic heart. Some of Italy’s most loved culinary specialities were invented here, including lasagne and tagliatelle served with ragù alla Bolognese, while Parmesan cheese, Parma ham and balsamic vinegar come from the wider region. Food is serious stuff here – Bologna’s Chamber of Commerce safeguards the official recipe for ragù alla Bolognese along with a document detailing the official size of a strand of tagliatelle (8mm, in case you were wondering). Bologna’s bustling markets and trattorias are the best place to dig into some of the country’s most fabulous foodie delights.
The best place to indulge in the city’s gastronomy is the Quadrilatero, a lively web of medieval lanes lined with market stalls and foodie shops filled with fresh produce. It’s a veritable feast for the senses displaying all manner of goods, from flavourful greens in spring and luscious fruits in summer to plump, freshly picked porcini mushrooms come autumn.
Located in the heart of Bologna, the Grand Hotel Majestic is one the city’s oldest hotels, offering spacious, classically styled rooms in an 18th century palazzo. At the hotel’s Il Carracci Restaurant, you can savour elegantly presented Bolognese dishes in a stunning dining room with beautiful frescoed ceilings.
Italy’s financial powerhouse, Milan is a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis renowned for its fashion, shopping and design. It is Italy’s most glamorous city, with no shortage of stylish venues attracting those who come to see and be seen. Hip concept stores, fashionable boutiques and showrooms regularly pop up in all corners of the city, with the Milanese always ready to embrace new trends. Milan’s dining scene is the country’s most vibrant, with modish restaurants serving local specialities alongside international favourites – don’t miss the city’s famous cotoletta alla milanese, an exquisite breaded veal cutlet that melts in the mouth, and risotto alla Milanese, saffron-infused risotto traditionally served with ossobuco (stewed shin of veal with marrowbone).
Leonardo da Vinci spent nearly 20 years living in Milan, leaving an indelible mark on the city. His mural, 'The Last Supper', adorns the refectory walls of Santa Maria delle Grazie, while the city’s Pinacoteca Ambrosiana displays the most extensive collection of Da Vinci’s drawings and paintings, known as the Codex Atlanticus.
Ideally located a short walk from the Duomo, Sina De La Ville offers rooms in both contemporary and classic styles, livened up with bright pops of colour. The draw is the rooftop terrace, complete with open-air swimming pool, featuring a retractable glass roof for the winter.
Located at the foot of the Alps, Turin was the first capital of unified Italy. It’s a sophisticated city with an elegant Baroque core, peppered with magnificent royal palaces and some of the country’s best museums, including the famous Egyptian Museum, which contains the second largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world. This is one of Italy’s gastronomic centres – it’s the birthplace of the Slow Food movement, with white truffles and fine wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco sourced from the nearby Langhe-Roero and Monferrato wine-producing area. It’s a city that is best explored slow, stopping off to savour local specialities such as bicerin, the city’s famous hot drink made with espresso, chocolate and cream.
Catch the Sassi-Superga train to reach the Basilica di Superga, which houses the Royal Tombs of the House of Savoy. It’s an atmospheric journey, with the train climbing over 400m along a 3km cogwheel track, complete with original 1884 carriages. You’ll be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of the city, framed by the majestic backdrop of the snow-capped Alps.
Settle down at the Grand Hotel Sitea, a historic hotel in the heart of Turin that leads onto a charming pedestrianised street. It has an intimate and secluded feel, with thick rugs and ambient lighting. Foodies won’t be disappointed – there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant alongside a more informal bistro serving Piemontese specialities.
Positioned along the River Adige, beautiful Verona has a long and rich history dating back to the Roman times. Its world-famous Arena is the city’s most notable Roman ruin; the former site of gladiator fights, it today hosts the one-hundred-year-old Opera di Verona Festival, with renowned tenors from Luciano Pavarotti to Andrea Bocelli having graced its stage. International visitors perhaps more readily associate the city with Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet – you can visit the Casa di Giulietta and take a picture on the balcony. Verona is a city that invites gentle exploration with its pink medieval streets best explored at a leisurely pace. Stop off to refuel with local specialities such as risotto all’amarone, a hearty risotto made with locally produced Amarone wine that lends the dish a deep red colour.
Standing majestically along the banks of the River Adige, the 14th century Castelvecchio is an imposing red brick fortress that once belonged to the House of Della Scala who ruled Verona for one hundred and twenty-five years. These days, it’s a museum displaying collections of medieval and Renaissance painting along with ceramics, ancient weapons and archaeological finds.
The historical Due Torri Hotel offers generously sized rooms adorned with classical furnishings and prints. Head up to the delightful rooftop terrace to take in panoramic city views – it’s particularly evocative at sunset, when the sun casts a pink hue over the city.
Are you ready for a taste of la dolce vita? Citalia is the go-to specialist for discovering Italy’s cities, helping you uncover the most captivating sights while guiding you to the finest spots to savour the country’s culinary delights. Citalia has been crafting Italian holidays for the last 95 years, with fabulous itineraries taking in foodie Bologna, stylish Milan, magnificent Turin and romantic Verona.
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