A SPARKLING DAY OUT

Uncork Lombardy’s secrets on this full-day excursion from Milan. Guests will admire one of the region’s most enchanting historic centres and gain behind-the-scenes insight into the activities carried out at a top-rated winery.

Clinging to the southern foothills of the Orobian Alps, in the very heart of northern Italy, Bergamo is a treasure trove of medieval and Renaissance wonders, immersed in a splendid natural setting and, for the delight of gourmands, replete with an enticing spread of gastronomic specialities.

You will meet your private driver at your accommodation and begin your day with a 1-hour ride to Bergamo. Your guide will be waiting by the funicular ready to lead you on an exploration of the historical upper town, still surprisingly intact after centuries. As you weave your way through the maze of narrow, winding alleys, you will learn about the history of Bergamo, from its origins as a Celtic settlement to the peak of its fortunes under the rule of Milan and Venice, when the city bloomed and became the gem we can admire today.

Your tour will begin in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, a 15th century shoe market, where you will gain an introduction to city life in Bergamo, past and present. From here a short walk will take you to the 14th century fortress offering stunning views of the surrounding verdant valleys. Amble along the charming streets flanked by irresistible eateries, quaint artisan shops and amazingly well preserved medieval tower-houses, and reach Piazza Vecchia. Built upon the ancient Roman forum and dominated by the Civic Tower and the 12th century Palazzo della Ragione, this square has been the political and social heart of the city for some 2,000 years. The adjacent Piazza Duomo boasts two of the old town’s most cherished monuments. According to tradition, the Romanesque Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was erected by Bergamo’s citizens as a votive offering to the Madonna to give thanks for her protection from the 12th century plague. Inside it preserves a dizzying collection of works of art, spanning five centuries and ranging from Flemish tapestries to 14th century frescoes, from Baroque paintings to exquisitely inlaid marquetry. The nearby Colleoni Chapel, built at the request of mercenary captain Bartolomeo Colleoni, is a triumph of Renaissance architecture. Its construction in 1472 was strongly opposed by the clergy but Colleoni solved the problem in the traditional fashion, sending his soldiers to silence the protest and demolish the old sacristy, thus making room for his opulently decorated mausoleum. Don’t forget to touch Colleoni’s extravagant coat of arms on the gate, which is believed to bring good luck.

Head uphill and reach the last stop on your tour, the 14th century citadel bearing witness to the Visconti family’s domination over the town from 1332 to 1428. The complex was built not only as a defence against enemy attacks but as a place of refuge in case the town’s tide turned against the rulers themselves and, above all, as a proclamation of the Visconti’s unrivalled supremacy. The dreaded hunger tower with no openings on the ground floor, where traitors and debtors were once locked up and left to starve, still stands as a stark reminder of Bergamo’s “good old days.”

After the tour and free time for lunch rejoin your driver and reach Franciacorta. The region, world-known for its fragrant sparkling wines, owes its fortunes to the enthusiasm and dreams of two forward-thinking, pioneering wine-makers who, back in the mid-1950s, laid the foundations of an ambitious project. As you will learn on a visit to a trend-setting estate, this is where the story of Franciacorta wines began. A passion for wine-making, faith in the territory and, above all, the challenge of rivalling the centuries-old tradition of French Champagne, led the two oenologists to join forces and devote all their energy to creating high quality sparkling wine in an area up until then exclusively engaged in the production of still table wines. In 1961 the first 3,000 bottles were corked, marking the beginning of a success story that continues to gather momentum. A member of staff will lead you on a tour of the 17th century cellar and explain how Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are expertly transformed into bubbly elixirs – from hand-harvesting, through ageing, to bottling. You will then enjoy a tasting of the estate’s wines accompanied by delicious nibbles of salami, Grana Padano cheese and grissini.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon after a sparkling day out.