Cristina & Christopher
Things To Do
Bergamo
Bergamo is famous for it's Upper City (Citta' Alta) and Lower City (Citta' Bassa). Bergamo Bassa is the more modern city filled with shops and museums. Citta' Alta is the original medieval city that has been recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the well-preserved medieval walls that embrace it; there is also a baker in Citta' Alta whom is very familiar with the NHL.
Valle Brembana - San Pellegrino Terme - Cornello dei Tasso
If you are coming to our wedding there is NO way you'll miss driving through Valle Brembana since Foppolo is nested at the very top of the valley. And Yes, you read it right! The famous San Pellegrino water is bottled here along this valley and its birthplace is famous for its wonderful art nouveau building including a fully operating spa. If you feel adventurous, and you are willing to burn off some calories hiking, Cornello dei Tasso is a medieval town reached only by foot; battle armor optional.
Milano
Milano is Italy's business and fashion capital. The city is full of history and places to visit such as the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the Opera theater La Scala, the Castello Sforzesco and Sant'Ambrogio basilica. Go spin on the bull's balls three times clockwise for good fortune!
Verona
Who doesn't know Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette??? Verona is the hometown of their story, and as such is full of the history Shakespeare appears to know a little too well. For Opera lovers, attending a performance at the Arena is an experience of a lifetime. The Arena looks very similar to the Colosseum in Roma, and is considered its counterpart of the North. Don't pet the lions.
Pavia
As Pavia had been my home for 12 years, is where I attended Universita' degli Studi di Pavia which is one of the oldest university in Europe (founded in 1361), guilty as charged, I think you should visit it!!! (Cristina) Stroll around downtown and enjoy the atmosphere of a college city. Plus, a few kilometers out of town is Certosa di Pavia, an amazing medieval monastery. However, you'll barely find any students from Pavia visiting it because "Matricola in Certosa non si laurea ne' si sposa" (that translate in something like "Freshman in Certosa will not get his degree nor will get married"). As Cristina is not longer a freshman, this appears to still hold true.
Mantova
This city flourished during the Renaissance period, and it is still possible to admire most of the buildings and churches from that time. Mantova is surrounded by three lakes and a personal favorite is the cruise on the lakes, and its been said that its very magical as sunset. Also, Mantova is another UNESCO World Heritage site, and its traditional dish is Ravioli di zucca (Pumpkin ravioli); the Great Pumpkin doesn't visit here for that very reason.