First edition in-depth coverage of this exceptional area of Italy.

An insider's guide to this magical region by a local resident. Milan is home to Da Vinci's Last Supper and the world's most famous opera house, La Scala. It was here that Verdi's Otello and Puccini's Madame Butterfly were first performed. Milan is one of the great centers for high fashion, and home to some of the world's oldest and most elegant shopping streets. And then there are the lakes. Lake Como's shoreline is a sheer cliff in many places, with the Alps soaring above. Beautiful Lake Garda and Lago Maggiore are ringed with villas, some dating from medieval and Roman times. This is a guide to all the unforgettable palaces and churches, the museums, the shops, the great restaurants and hotels.

The new edition covering the Italian lakes of Garda, Lugano, Iseo, Como, Orta, Maggiore and the cities of the Lombard Plain: Pavia, Cremona and Mantura, as well as the link city to the lakes, Milan -- the mecca of finance and fashion. Authors Facaros and Pauls plunge into the romance of the Italian lakes and their history and art, both anecdotal and cultural. They have also gone into practical detail with city and lake maps, ferry timetables, a careful guide through the rich culinary diversity of the region and extensive choices of where to stay and eat.

Rich in both natural and articstic beauty, Lombardy offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in Italy and art and acrchitecture to rival anything in Florence or Rome. Lombardy's five great lakes, Garda, Iseo, Como, Lugano and Maggiore, are romantically set amopngst wooded hills rising steeply from the water, with views to the snow-covered Alps beyond. --cover.

With Rick Steves, Milan and the Italian lakes are yours to discover! This slim guide excerpted from Rick Steves Italy includes: Rick's firsthand, up-to-date advice on Milan and the nearby lakes' best sights, restaurants, hotels, and more, plus tips to beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps Top sights and local experiences: Tour Milan's Duomo, marvel at The Last Supper, and enjoy a night at the opera. Relax in the sleepy village of Varenna, stroll through the Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens, or check out the museums in Sforza Castle Helpful maps and self-guided walking tours to keep you on track With selective coverage and Rick's trusted insight into the best things to do and see, Rick Steves Snapshot Milan & the Italian Lakes District is truly a tour guide in your pocket. Exploring beyond Milan? Pick up Rick Steves Italy for comprehensive coverage, detailed itineraries, and essential information for planning a countrywide trip.