A day’s trip to the Roman city of Pavia, near Milan, is definitely worthy of recommendation. The town’s most important landmark is an enormous Renaissance complex of priceless historic and artistic value, the Certosa, or the Carthusian Monastery. Its construction began in 1396, and the list of artists who have contributed to its construction includes many notable names. This fascinating place allows for an extensive number of artistic marvels, in fact too many to enumerate them all. The small cubicles housing one monk each are of special note.

Two hours outside of Milan, visit the enjoyable museum of the long history of wine-producing in Pessione. The museum has an excellent collection of wine-making utensils as well as Etruscan, Attic and Roman vases and amphorae. You can learn in a comprehensive and clear way about the traditional method of growing grapes and making wine. What’s more, there is access to the old cellar where Martini vermouth got its start in 1863. It continues to be produced in Pessione, maintaining its high quality.

Bergamo is a peaceful fortified Medieval city situated 32 miles from Milan. The urban architecture and the town’s ancient walls are simply bewitching. Interesting places include Porta San’t Agostino, Via Porta Dipinta, the Baptistery (1340), the 12th Century Church of San Michele, the delightful church of Santa Maria Maggiore, La Rocca (the 14th Century fort with a military museum), Piazza del Duomo and the neighboring Piazza Vecchia (Central Square), where you can take the stairs up the Bell Tower to admire the view. Also, the Colleoni Chapel, the masterpiece of the Lombard Renaissance, is home to frescoes by Tiepolo.

Getting from Milan to Switzerland’s most famous winter and summer resort will take about three hours. Located at an altitude of 6,000 feet, St. Moritz provides wonderful opportunities for outdoor recreation. Tourists who do not have a million or so to spend come here to see the beautiful painted wooden houses, and to breathe the atmosphere of the town which has been considered the model Alpine gateway by the rich and famous of the world.

Tour Italy’s largest lake by boat. The lake is a chief tourist destination, with many tempting villages and resorts along its mountainous shore, one of the best known and most charming being Sirmione. This walled Medieval town is located at the south end of the long peninsula. The entrance is dominated by the castle, the Rocca Scaligera, dating from the 13th Century, while in the hamlet itself the romantic lanes are simply bursting with life and color.