• Lifestyle
    • Art & Culture
    • Active & Green
    • Lakes

From Varese to Lake Maggiore

Discovering Varese and Lake Maggiore in 72 hours. A long weekend in the countryside

From the magnificent Villa Menafoglio Litta Panza to the Sacro Monte (Sacred Mountain) of Varese, one of four UNESCO sites in the Varese area. Then a drive out to the east coast of Lake Maggiore for an active weekend of hiking and sailing. Here are our tips.

 

Varese: contemporary art and 17th-century frescoes
Top place to visit in Varese? Villa Panza. This 18th century villa surrounded by wonderful Italian garden enthrals architecture enthusiasts because of the work done by Canonica and Portaluppo. Art lovers can admire works by Flavin, Wilson and Turrell. The rooms reflect the impeccable taste of Giuseppe Panza di Biumo, who donated the house and collection to the FAI in 1996. Not far away, you can see the Sacro Monte of Varese. A line of fourteen 17th-century chapels stretches along a 2 km cobbled road to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003. Don’t miss the village's great little gem: the Lodovico Pogliaghi Casa Museo (House Museum), an unexpected treasure trove of ancient archaeological finds and Renaissance art. End the day by stopping off at the Al Borducan, a romantic Art Nouveau hotel dating from 1924 that looks out on the Campo dei Fiori di Varese mountain.

Lake Maggiore, at the water’s edge or a view from the top
The Lombard Prealps are so close that the best view of Lake Maggiore can be enjoyed from on high. A gentle 30 minute walk from the village of Maccagno will take you to the Forcora Pass. The fields of Monte Cadrigna are reddish-yellow in autumn. In winter, they are snow-covered and are a mecca for downhill skiing or a walk with snowshoes. In spring and summer they welcome you with emerald grass and birch woods. Those who cannot resist the call of water can hire a sailing boat to discover the lake from a different angle. One unmissable stop is the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, in Leggiuno. Sail northwards to the former 18th-century furnaces of Caldè, Luino and the Church of the Madonna della Punta di Maccagno. If time permits, we recommend enjoying the sunset from the lake, surrounded by orange reflections from the water's surface.

 

Volandia, 60,000 m2 devoted to the dream of flight
The Caproni aeronautical Workshops founded in 1910 have been converted to create Volandia, a park and museum dedicated to flying. The 11 themed areas cover subjects ranging from Leonardo’s flying machines to interstellar travel by way of motorised aircraft, hot-air balloons and convertiplanes. The exhibition recounts the history of flight using actual-size aircraft, scale models and miniatures. This perfect stopping-off point for adults and children is just a short hop from Milan’s Malpensa Airport. If your dream is to fly an airliner, there’s even a flight simulator. Ready, set, take off!

On the same topic

5 glamorous experiences in Lombardy

Lombardy offers glamorous experiences that combine the allure of luxury with the discovery of natural and cultural treasures
  • Lifestyle
5 glamorous experiences in Lombardy - Barca a vela Lago di Como

Going shopping in Cremona is exciting!

Dai vita al commercio
  • Lifestyle
Going shopping in Cremona is exciting!

Welcome Card

Guided tour every day (also in the week-end) at 2.30 p.m.
  • Lifestyle
Piazza della Pace

6 villages for an aperitif with a view

An aperitif in Lombardy is an opportunity to rediscover villages that seem suspended in time, with panoramic views to further enhance the experience.
  • Lifestyle
Ph I Mille

Sondrio in a weekend

Millennial traditions, roads to discover on foot or by bike, unique flavors. Sondrio, the gate of Valtellina
  • Lifestyle
Sondrio in a weekend

Lodi in a weekend

Sky, nature and relaxation. The touch of Renzo Piano and many little art treasures. Discover Lodi and its surroundings in 48 hours
  • Lifestyle
Lodi in a weekend

A streetcar named desire

You will fall in love with this performing means of transportation that will take you all over the city
  • Lifestyle
Milan Tramway

Pedü

Hand made by the women in Lanzada, Pedü were by far the most common footwear in Valmalenco until the 1950s.
  • Lifestyle
pedu Valmalenco (Foto dal sito http://www.alpinpedu.it/)

Milan: six trend-setting neighbourhoods

Art and architecture. But also sports and good food. Discover six neighbourhoods with us where Milan sets the trend.
  • Lifestyle
Milan: six trend-setting neighbourhoods

Bergamo: włoskie arcydzieło

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

Historic and Quality Accommodations

2024 Lombardy Style Award
  • Lifestyle
Historic and Quality Accommodations

Local markets papiniano fauche etc

If you are looking for something, be it food, clothing or antiques, you can find it at the market!
  • Lifestyle
Local Markets (Papiniano, Fauché etc)

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

Travelling with books

Projects for bookworms
  • Lifestyle
Viaggiare con i libri

Negozi storici e Liberty a Milano

Un itinerario per negozi storici ospitati dagli edifici Liberty milanesi
  • Lifestyle
Negozi storici e Liberty a Milano - Palazzo Castiglioni

Tour of the Monza ENI Circuit

Take a tour of the most exclusive areas and the track of the Monza Circuit with the Autodromo guide
  • Lifestyle
Tour autodromo Monza

inLombardia 杂志

  • Lifestyle
inLombardia 杂志

Varese in a weekend

From the gardens of Palazzo Estense to the infinite vistas of the Sacro Monte. 48 hours to discover a city on a human scale
  • Lifestyle
Varese in un weekend

Corso como

Where new trends take shape and Milan nightlife enlivens
  • Lifestyle
Corso Como

Around the world in Lombardy

Explore Lombardy’s regions like never before, discovering scenery with a remarkably exotic, international feel.
  • Lifestyle
Around the world in Lombardy