Between the warm sunshine and the longer days, spring truly is the perfect season for a trip out of town.

If you're not ready to embark on an epic holiday, there are plenty of unknown and overlooked destinations closer to home, ideal for a short getaway. Whether you're planning a spring day trip or a weekend away, the historic villages around Cremona are well worth a visit. 

In the heart of the Po Valley, where Lombardy meets Emilia-Romagna, there is a land of fortified towns and agricultural villages, where authenticity, traditions and a relaxed way of life are all alive and well, and where you can enjoy a peaceful and gastronomic getaway far from the hustle and bustle.

A battlefield between warring lords and factions for eight centuries, this area is best known for the elegance and refinement of Cremona, a musical hub famed for its extraordinary delicacies, but also for its artistic treasures and beautifully preserved medieval monuments.  

From Soncino Castle to the besieged town of Pizzighettone and from the Ropemakers' Museum in Castelponzone to the fairy-tale landscapes of Gradella, it's high time to put these streets and paths back on the map.

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