• Active & Green
    • Lifestyle

When picnics become chic

Five elegant picnic ideas in Lombardy, with delightful scenery and elegant food and wine experiences.

18th June is International Picnic Day: what better opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and into the beauty of nature?
 

Today, the picnic is no longer just a traditional lunch out in the open air; it can also be a rural chic experience, a ritual about well-being and taste, and a moment for self care, surrounded by the panoramic views and flavours of the area.

Amidst the farmhouses and orchards, immersed in the green of farms and lavender fields, noble gardens and hills overlooking the lakes, here are five ideas that will transform your Lombardy picnic into an elegant, unforgettable experience.
 


Under the stars among the Cremonese farmhouses (CR)
During the clear summer nights, the farmhouses of Cremona are the perfect location for a picnic under the stars. Your experience begins at sunset, when the sky turns pink and the colours create beautiful effects with light. Among the hay bales, rustic blankets, soft lighting and lamps hung from the trees, waiting for the stars to start twinkling in the sky, you can enjoy the delights of the area: from the cold cuts and fresh cheeses, to the homemade compotes, bread baked in wood ovens and traditional confectionery. To complete this beautiful, dreamy bucolic setting,  a lovely glass of wine or a craft beer to immerse themselves in an atmosphere from other times, where time seems to pass by slowly.
 

The lavender fields of Oltrepò Pavese (PV)
Lavender, summer fragrance and expanses of purple
? There is no need to travel to Provence: Lombardy, from the end of May to the first weeks of July, fields of lavender in full bloom colour the hills of Oltrepò Pavese with deep shades of purple and lilac that release their unmistakable heady scent. Here, a picnic becomes an intimate, sensory ritual: strolling among the rows and rows of lavender, where you can pick the perfumed bunches and sit on elegant linen mats before losing yourself in a good book. A corner of heaven. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a day out with friends, with a deep dive into nature and beauty, where you can enjoy the picture postcard scenery and make unforgettable memories
 

 

The hills and vineyards of Lake Garda (BS)
The vineyards on the hills over Lake Garda are a paradise for wine enthusiasts and one of the most fascinating destinations for those dreaming about a picnic with a gourmet flavour. A special mention should go to Valtenesi, an extraordinary area nestled between the moraine hills and the Brescian shores of Lake Garda, where many wineries organise local wine tastings outside, with a selection of finger foods inspired by tradition, such as lake sardines carpione, bread and oil from Garda, and alpine cheeses. As well as the gastronomic experience, the area has numerous panoramic routes, perfect for hikes through natural surroundings, history, and spectacular visits to the lake and the peninsula of Sirmione. An experience that combines the beauty of the landscape, wealth of food and wine, and the timeless charm of the villages around the lake, making a picnic  a journey into the tastes and traditions of the area.

In the garden of an historic villa (VA) 
If your dream is a picnic that is all about elegance, the gardens of Varese’s historic villas are the ideal choice. These places, often open to the public for events or guided tours, offer fairy tale scenery filled with hedges, statues and fountains. Among the most beautiful historic residences in Varesotto, the Villa della Porta Bozzolo, a monumental building immersed in a centuries-old park that is a perfect combination of art, nature and history. Located in Casalzuigno, this sixteenth-century villa is famous for its renaissance frescos, period furnishings, and large Italian-style gardens that are magnificent for an elegant picnic immersed in history. On special occasions, the Villa hosts events that invite the public to enjoy an immersive experience inside its walls, with guided visits and specially created “Picnic boxes” created to make the most of the traditional tastes and flavours. 

Among the farms and orchards outside the metropolis (MI)
Just a few kilometres from Milan there are unexpected places where you can reconnect with nature. Educational farms, shared vegetable gardens, farm tourism, small orchards: oases of peace that offer the possibility to enjoy splendid picnics immersed the green setting, perfect for those who want to get away from the bustle of the city but above all for families with children. In fact there are many activities in place, including for small children, who can have fun at the farm workshops, outdoor play, and meeting the animals, while adults enjoy the sun, read a book or even enjoy a glass of wine. And you can’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a wicker basket full of zero kilometre produce: wholemeal bread, preserves, fresh juice, cold cuts and cheese made there, rustic bakes and artisanal yogurt. An authentic, sustainable way to discover the pleasure of simple things, away from the hustle of Milan. 
 

On the same topic

Where to harvest chestnuts in Lombardy

Forests, hills, panoramic viewpoints and plays of light: discover where and when to collect chestnuts in Lombardy, as well as other useful tips
  • Active & Green
La raccolta delle castagne - Parco Regionale del Campo dei Fiori (VA)

Guide Valmalenco

In the Valmalenco Guides group you can find professionals who can accompany you on your adventures whether you are an expert, or simply dream of taking your first step.
  • Active & Green
Guide Valmalenco

Monumental trees in Lombardy

The art of knowing trees in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Alberi monumentali in Lombardia

Levadina

Walking in the Levadina Oasis of San Donato Milanese, an opportunity to spend an afternoon immersed in nature.
  • Active & Green
Levadina

Gardens in Lombardy

The botanical gardens of Lombardy are real jewels to visit, so come on, what are you waiting for?
  • Active & Green
Gardens in Lombardy, discover what to see

Artist’s giant benches

The hunt is on. Discover six of the brightly coloured, supersized Big Benches by Chris Bangle that are adding to the scenery in Lombardy.
  • Active & Green
Ph: I Mille

Lecco from Monte Resegone

Lecco – a city caught between the water and the mountains – is always looking upwards.
  • Active & Green
Resegone

Sports in Monza

Outdoor activities in the heart of Brianza
  • Active & Green
Sport a Monza

Parks and gardens to explore online

Green virtual tours in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Parchi e giardini da scoprire online

Monumental trees in Lombardy: 12 incredible specimens

Among the scenic and cultural riches of Lombardy, one can discover outstanding green monuments.
  • Active & Green
Monumental trees in Lombardy: 12 incredible specimens

Villoresi forest

Come and spend a nice day in the Bosco Villoresi oasis of Carugate!
  • Active & Green
Villoresi Forest

Galbusera bianca

Rediscover the taste of life slowly immersed in unspoiled nature, visit the Oasis of Galbusera Bianca.
  • Active & Green
Galbusera Bianca

It's harvest time in Lombardy 

In the vineyards and cellars of Lombardy, you can take part in the ancient rituals of grape harvesting and pressing and get to know the land where some of the region's best wines are produced
  • Active & Green
È tempo di vendemmia in Lombardia 

Discovering the Big Benches in the province of Pavia

How to reconnect with childhood by rediscovering the landscape with the Big Benches!
  • Active & Green
Big Bench in provincia di Pavia

Snowshoe walking in Prato Valentino: Anello Verdomana

Silenzio ovattato, inebriante profumo di bosco, tracce di animali selvatici sulla neve e fantastici panorami. È quanto si può godere compiendo un'attività fisica alla portata di tutti e poco dispendiosa: le escursioni con le racchette da neve.
  • Active & Green
Snowshoe walking in Prato Valentino: Anello Verdomana

Secret nature in Bergamo and Brescia

Hidden parks and botanical gardens, amidst old palaces and monasteries, to rediscover the bond between nature, history and art.
  • Active & Green
(Ph: I Mille)

Sports Tourism Lombardy

The different landscapes of this area of ​​Lombardy allow every sportsman to experiment with different disciplines
  • Active & Green
Sports tourism Lombardy, adventurous proposals

Greenway Voghera - Varzi

A green way towards the Appennines
  • Active & Green
Greenway Voghera - Varzi

Fontanili park

Parco dei Fontanili: the ideal place to live in the green and spend your free time.
  • Active & Green
Fontanili Park

The most beautiful gorges!

The six most beautiful gorges to visit in Lombardy: those of Bellano and Nesso, the most famous, and the equally spectacular gorges of Caino, Cunardo, Val Taleggio and Via Mala
  • Active & Green
The most beautiful gorges in Lombardy - Bellano - discoveringbellano.eu