Lombardy

Lombardy, or Lombardia, is in the far north of Italy and shares a border with Switzerland. Its major city is the fashionable Milan but the rest of the region provides a variety of sceneries from high mountain ranges to flat river plains.



The region is home to two very beautiful lakes - Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. A trip through Lombardy would not be the same without taking the time to see the lakes and many of the worlds rich and famous agree, actor George Clooney lives in Como in a water-front home so it is definitely worth seeing what all the fuss is about.



Lombardy was named after the Lombards, a barbarian tribe that invaded Italy in the 6th century AD. It rose to prominence in the 14th to 16th centuries with powerful family dynasties who were great patrons of commissioning palaces, churches and art works.



The region is also famous as the birth place of Virgil, Monteverdi, Stradivarius and Donizett - all important personalities in Italian history. Steeped in this history, Lombardy has small villages set high in mountain valleys and a number of medieval towns bursting with architectural wonders set to take your breath away.



Other places to see include:

- Sabbioneta - A hexagonal planned medieval city completed in the 1590s

- Mantova - The birthplace of Virgil and home to one of Europe's largest palaces, Palazzo Ducale

- Cremona - Home of Monteverdi and Stradivarius

- Pavia - Once the region's capital and home to one of Europe's oldest universities established in 1361

- Val Camonica - Prehistoric stone carvings make this town worth a visit.
Staying in a monastery or convent guest house in Lombardy is a unique alternative to mainstream hotel accommodation. Open to all, these guest houses give you a true insight in to life in Lombardy - a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of Lombardy and experience a hospitality tradition that has been around for 1500+ years. Review the monastery and convent accommodation for Lombardy, choose your rooms and book today!