Real al fresco picnicking. 8 ideas for organising a picnic in Lombardy, from the Oltrepò Pavese to the tiny lakes Endine and Monate. You choose!

1.  Fontanili Park in Capralba 
In the heart of the Crema area, Fontanili Park in Capralba is an excellent place for a family picnic. The fontanili are the clear water springs feeding the channels that run through little islands of luxuriant nature.  A must-visit is the Percorso Verde trail that explores the flora and fauna, with butterflies, dragonflies and moorhens. 

2. Curone Park 
Just a few kilometres outside Milan, Curone Park has lots of trails through woodlands and fields. At the Cà del Soldato, in the centre of the park, there are also two covered barbeque stands that can be booked and large tables. Right here, before or after your picnic, you can even visit the tiny museum, open on weekends, with its displays of Curone Park fauna and tools commonly used by country folk in the past in Brianza.
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3. Lake Endine 
Barbeques and relaxing walks, picnics and checked tablecloths—this is Lake Endine. Public parks and lots of clearings set up for peaceful picnics. Barbeque and picnic area also close to Monasterlo, on the greenest bank of the lake. You can enjoy the scenery on a walk, or take out a pedalo for a pedal around the lake. 

4. Lake Monate 
Lake Monate, in the province of Varese, boasts clean water and a good many little beaches for sunbathing or picnicking. Some of the best known are the ones at Travedona Monate, where there’s even a dog beach, at Cadrezzate, Osmate and finally, the parish beach at Comabbio, which has all you need for picnics or a swim in the lake.  

5. In the Monte Alpe Nature Reserve
The Monte Alpe Nature Reserve, in the heart of the Lombardy Apennines and Oltrepò Pavese, is a biodiversity conservation area where various species of flora and fauna can be observed. It is also the ideal choice for a day out relaxing and a picnic in nature. Easy to reach by car, the reserve itself can only be visited on foot. Either take your own picnic or enjoy lunch al fresco organised by the park association.

6. At the Sant’Alessio Oasis
Not far from Pavia, the Sant’Alessio Oasis covers some 10 hectares. Those wanting to spend the day here can buy sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes from the bar in the Oasis or have a picnic in the dedicated area in the shade of three enormous poplars and a roof that protects from the rain in the case of bad weather. Every Sunday and on holidays visitors can also use the barbecue stand. The castle of the same name is a must-visit.
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7. At the Paradiso Fish Park
The Paradiso Fish Park in Zelo Buon Persico, in the province of Lodi, is recommended for those wanting a trip out of town over the weekend. This is a characteristic valley wood and wetland with small lakes, streams, channels, ponds, and water springs that is also home to a colony of water lilies and reeds. The park has both an eating place and a covered area for picnickers. 
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8. In the Prehistoric Park 
On the left bank of the River Adda, just 25 km outside Milan, in a natural area of more than 100 hectares of centuries-old woodland, the Prehistoric Park in Rivolta d'Adda, in the province of Cremona, is home to over 50 life size reconstructions belonging to 31 different prehistoric species, including arthropods, fish, amphibians, archaic reptiles, dinosaurs, pterosaurs, mammals and primitive men. A real joy for young Indiana Jones. There are two eating places inside the park. There is also room for picnicking on the grass.
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