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Northern Italy
Home » Italy » Italy Cities & Regions » Northern ItalyPosted by Your Guide on May 4, 2006 5:42 PM
Bologna
Bologna is one of Italy’s oldest cities and home to Europe’s oldest university, the University of Bologna. Bologna is sometimes called "Bologna the red" because of the abundance of red brick and marble buildings. Bologna is also known for its culinary contributions, and some consider it to be the cuisine capital of Italy. It proximity to Parma, Italy aids this distinction, as Parma is the producer of the some of the finest cheeses and prosciuttos in the world.
Venice (Venezia)
Few cities in the world have managed to create for themselves the romantic magnetism that Venice exudes. It is a magical, unlikely place where water flows freely and gondolas are the vehicles of choice. Sadly, all this charm comes at a price: Venice is sinking at a rate of six centimeters per decade. Uncontrolled tides, pollution, and simple old age are wearing on Venice, and it is inevitable that much of the city’s prized art will be lost to deterioration if nothing is done to change the pattern. Still, for now it is a charming city that is just as enchanting as you imagine it in your mind to be. The nearby town of Murano is famous for glass blowing, producing the legendary Venetian glass used in the famous Victorian chandeliers.
Milan (Milano)
Milan is by far Italy’s most chic and cosmopolitan city. It rivals Paris as Europe’s fashion capitol, and it is home to design powerhouses Armani, Prada, and Dolce and Gabbana. Milan is a financial and commercial center, which is reflected in a collection of modern style skyscrapers unlike architecture found anywhere else in the country. Milan is perhaps most famous for being home to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, which is painted on a wall at the convent of Santa Maria Della Grazie. Milan is also home to the world-renowned opera house Teatro della Scala.
The Italian Riviera
This magnificent bit of coastal beauty is divided into two sections: the Riviera di Ponente (to the west), from Ventimiglia to Genoa, and the Riviera di Levante (to the east), from Genoa to La Spezia. Portofino is the best-known tourist destination. At the southern tip of the Riviera di Levante is the Cinque Terre, a series of five quaint villages connected by picturesque mountainside hiking paths. You can hike from village to village, enjoying a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean on your journey.
Torino
A few years ago, Italy’s fourth largest city was known primarily for its “Shroud of Turin.” Besides that historical distinction, Torino’s contribution was mainly of an industrial nature as it was the home to Fiat production and considered Italy’s automobile capital. All of that changed in February of 2006, however, when Torino hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics. The city was radically updated to prepare for the Games, and tourism is expected to increase in the future in response.
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