Northern Italy Italy

As the snow-capped Alps tower above the mass of ancient architecture, you breathe in the vivid colors and bustling sounds while smelling the alluring aroma of nearby vineyards. You find a home in these strange, foreign lands. Occupied by the basin of River Po, Northern Italy is an expansive region that holds a population of about 27,213,372. Northern Italy has been known for its romantic and alluring charm across the various provinces: Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. Culture, arts, and history smother the vast region with amazing opportunities awaiting for any and all visitors. From Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, "The Last Supper" to a treasure trove of holy relics in the Basilica of San Marco, Northern Italy is a wilderness of culture just waiting to be explored. Besides its impeccable preserve of Italy's ancient foundations, there are also many modern vineyards, restaurants, shopping districts, and more that make Northern Italy a culmination of the old and the new.

Sights

With its magnificent architecture and spellbinding atmosphere, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan allows its patrons to have a magical, unforgettable shopping experience. When the first stone was laid in 1865 by King Victor Emmanuel II, the construction of the arcade began. With jaw-dropping dimensions of a longer walkway that measures 196 meters long and a shorter one of 105.5 meters, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II forms the shape of a Latin cross. One of Milan's most popular attractions, many often visit this impressive gallery simply to admire and take pictures of its exquisite, intricate architecture. Most of the stores in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II comprise of luxury retailers selling haute couture, jewelry, books and paintings. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II also houses a plethora of restaurants, cafes, and bars, such as Biffi Caffè, one of the oldest cafes in Milan, and the Savini restaurant. In its iron-and-glass construction, the neoclassical Galleria Vittorio Emanuele has withstood the trials of time and still remains one of Italy's oldest and most popular shopping centers.

Food and Dining

If you are looking for first-class, traditional Italian cuisine, look no further than Restaurant Do Forni in the beautiful city of Venice. Though Restaurant Do Forni was originally a bakery during the golden years of the Venetian Republic, after the fall of said republic, the restaurant would eventually claim its present-day title in the eighteenth century. Finally established under the care of Eligio Paties in 1973, Restaurant Do Forni has transformed into a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. From warm hospitality to impressive cuisine, Restaurant Do Forni allows you to unwind in the romantic atmosphere of luxurious, Venetian-style rooms. Restaurant Do Forni has an extensive wine cellar that is personally supervised by the Paties family. Red foreigners, dessert wines, champagne--the possibilities for a nice glass of wine are seemingly endless. Its variety of wines, however, does not hold a candle to the endless diversity of Restaurant Do Forni menu. Some of its cuisine include chateaubriand, beef fillet voronoff-style, provence-style chicken breasts, and braised veal shanks (osso buco) senator-style.

Transportation

If you look to travel to some of the region's most popular sights, public transportation is the cheapest and easiest method. Italy boasts in having one of the most efficient train systems in Europe, especially in its northern half. There are also dozens of local, provincial, and regional bus lines that can be found throughout the area, though it has been claimed that making use of the train system is an easier method of travel.

If you are looking to explore more remote areas, it may be best to rent a car. Such services are provided throughout most metropolitan areas in Northern Italy. However, be weary of the varying driving rules in Italy compared to most countries as it can be quite unnerving for tourists and even locals.


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