• Lifestyle
    • Active & Green

Towards the Upper Oltrepò

An itinerary travelling through ancient villages, mountain landscapes and gourmandise

As you leave the plains behind you the land rises sharply in rolling hills as far as the mountains and then on to the sea. The Alto Oltrepò area is, in fact, a small area which is accessed at the end of the Staffora valley which the Ardivestra and Nizza valleys join.
The landscape is hilly and dotted with attractive medieval villages, castles, fortresses and patrician residences but its natural environment also invites you to walk through its forests.

There are many farm holiday hotels, trattorias and restaurants which seem not to want travellers to leave.
A journey through the Alto Oltrepò is, in fact, a journey through the gourmet flavours of a fertile rural countryside: agnolotti alla vogherese, ravioli alla varzese, spinach beet malfatti, chicken liver risotto, peperonate, boiled meats and mostarda, braised beef, charcuterie (Varzi salame, bacon, coppa, cotechino, sanguinacci), mushrooms, truffles, bread, fruit, honey, hard almond cakes, 'ossa dei morti', doll shaped biscuits (Büsélâ) and - obviously - wine.

Here, as Cesare Angelini wrote, the air is suffused with the sweetness of grapes and must.

Note that two of the area's towns are part of the Borghi più Belli d'Italia - most beautiful towns in Italy - club: Zavattarello and Porana (part of Pizzale), the latter is outside this itinerary and a few kilometres from Voghera on the Voghera-Pavia road.

On the same topic

Como in a weekend

A mediaeval heart for the city that loves science and design with light. Discover Como in 48 hours. Without ever losing sight of the lake
  • Lifestyle
Como in a weekend

10 Good Reasons to...

Fashion, design, food, lakes… a few suggestions for your stay in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle
10 good reasons to choose and visit the land

Porta nuova

Visit the most futuristic area of the city, with its glazed skyscrapers and elevated squares
  • Lifestyle
Porta Nuova

Como, streets of silk

The Capital of silk built on the mastery of the weaving mills, printers and silk producers of the Lario valley
  • Lifestyle
Como Vie della Seta

10 Good Reasons to Visit Cremona

  • Lifestyle
10 Good Reasons to Visit Cremona

What to see in Lombardy

A remarkable artistic heritage, a variety of landscapes, rich cultural traditions... all waiting to be discovered!
  • Lifestyle
What to see in Lombardy

By car in Lombardy

Tips and itineraries for getting to know the region by driving through it
  • Lifestyle
By car in Lombardy

Retro lombardy out in a vintage car

Add a breathtaking landscape to a vintage car and enjoy your romantic trip
  • Lifestyle
Retro Lombardy, out in a vintage car

Ski area Valmalenco

50 km of slopes make up the ski area of Alpe Palù, which is the calling card of Valmalenco.
  • Lifestyle
Ski area Valmalenco

Bergamo to Lake Iseo

Seventy-two hours to discover Bergamo Alta and Lake Iseo, culture, bike rides and delicious tastings
  • Lifestyle
Da Bergamo al Lago d'Iseo

Around Milan on the historic streetcars

An alternative way to visit the city
  • Lifestyle
Around Milan on the historic streetcars

9 ideas for a romantic weekend in Lombardy

  • Lifestyle
Skyline Mantua

Zona tortona

The "Cinderella" of the city, turned from industrial area into queen of art, fashion, design and nightlife
  • Lifestyle
Zona Tortona

2 hearts on the slopes

Dream Valmalenco: glamping, romanticism and uniqueness.
  • Lifestyle
2 hearts on the slopes

Masterpieces of cinema shot in Lombardy

The most beautiful natural landscapes and the urban cityscapes of Lombardy in the films of both Italian and foreign directors
  • Lifestyle
Masterpieces of cinema shot in Lombardy

Events in Lombardy in May 2025

May enchants Lombardy, with opportunities to explore the outdoors, festivals and art and flower events
  • Lifestyle
Events in Lombardy in May 2025

Bergamo: włoskie arcydzieło

To miasto, które ma podwójną wartość a jego terytorium jest bogate w przyrodę, sztukę i kulturę
  • Lifestyle
Bergamo: włoskie arcydzieło

Mantua and Sabbioneta itinerary

Relax and take some time to stroll through the streets and buildings of the World Heritage cities
  • Lifestyle
3 days in Mantua and Sabbioneta

Ancient knowledge: the pezzotti of Valtellina

  • Lifestyle
Valtellina craft products

Halloween in Lombardy

Ghostly villages and palaces, haunted by the spirits of tormented souls, beckon only the bravest to explore their surreal environments. 
  • Lifestyle
Halloween in Lombardy