Francesca Guatteri, founder of the Vivere Per Raccontarla blog, was a guest in the Lodi area and tells us of her experience on two wheels as she explored Lodi Vecchio.

We live in a country which has so much beauty to offer, as well as the great good fortune to have a region such as Lombardy as our home. It offers so many different places and a wide choice of itineraries, whether you want to organise a holiday or a day trip.

Lodi and Lodi Vecchio: what to do, how to get there and where to go
You can get to Lodi by car (around 40 minutes from Milan) or by train (in less than half an hour) as I did, leaving from the Central Station. That's the first consideration that should not be overlooked: the proximity.  There's plenty of parking close to the station so you can leave your car and get around on foot or by bike.

FIAB Lodi – Cycling for the environment
If you're a fan of cycling or would simply like to give this type of tourism a try, I must say that in Lodi you'll find plenty to get your teeth into, both from the FIAB Lodi association (Federazione Italiana Ambiente e Bicicletta), and from the Ciclofficina Le Lippe. The association promotes a wide range of interesting initiatives, while at the Ciclofficina Le Lippe, just three minutes from the station, you can hire bikes or meet up with the FIAB guides and head off together to explore Lodi Vecchio.  

Bicycle tourism: exploring a region on two wheels
It was really great discovering Lodi and the surrounding countryside by bike. I was able to enjoy the day with no stress, taking in the sounds and scents of nature, the unexpected drops of rain in my hair, as well as the sunshine from a sky that suddenly cleared again. Our kind and helpful friends from FIAB showed us routes and told us stories that made our tour even more special. It's for that very reason that I would advise anyone wanting to visit this area for the first time to get in touch with FIAB Lodi to organise a wonderful guided excursion with them.

It is possible to explore a region on two wheels
During our time in the saddle, along well-protected paved cycle paths separate from the road, we admired the countryside, the historic Acquae Mutiae, the ancient Roman Laus Pompeia (Lodi Vecchio), Piazza della Vittoria enlivened by the market, the Duomo di Lodi and the Basilica di San Bassiano in Lodi Vecchio. I'd never thought that it would be possible to cycle in total safety until I'd had this experience.

Exploring the area by bike
As I was pedalling along, I realised that a bike is not just a great opportunity to get around and spend a few hours in the open air, it's also a real means of locomotion. In fact, by bike you can do everything, particularly in a place like Lodi where distances between places are generally limited. As is the expenditure! 

Farm shopping; a great initiative in support of Kilometre Zero from FIAB Lodi
FIAB Lodi Ciclodi is also promoting the “La Spesa in cascina” farm shopping initiative, organising time dedicated to shopping at the surrounding farms, precisely to add value and support Km 0 shopping, the area, the environment and also the health of consumers. 

Food, Wine and Culture
During our tour, we crossed the countryside to also visit the beautiful Basilica di San Bassiano and then we all returned to the city to have lunch in the centre of Lodi, with excellent fresh pasta from the artisan workshop of I Ravioli dell’Oste. Our wonderful trip on two wheels also gave us the chance to take some great cultural detours, in addition to a well-deserved lunch break. All in the open air, with respect for environment and accompanied by the sounds of nature, in total relaxation! 

Useful information

Basilica XII Apostles 
Via Basilica San Bassiano - Lodi Vecchio (LO)

Opening times:
Tuesday - Wednesday - Friday - Saturday 3 pm to 4.30 pm
Sunday 3.30 pm to 5 pm
Closed Monday - Wednesday

Ciclofficina Le Lippe 
Viale Pavia, 3 - Lodi (LO)

Opening times:
Monday – Saturday 9 am to noon - 4 pm to 7.30 pm
Closed Sunday

Fiab Lodi
Via Lodivecchio, 7 - Lodi (LO)

Opening times:
Saturday 10  am to noon
Tuesday 3 pm to 6 pm
Closed Monday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Sunday

-

Ph: Vivere Per Raccontarla - Francesca GuatteRI