The experience
Ci sono tante linee più e meno visibili che collegano Milano con il territorio circostante. Linee che raccontano di quando ancora la campagna lambiva le porte della città. Queste linee sono le vie d’acqua.
All’abbondanza di acqua e canali navigabili Milano deve il proprio sviluppo urbano e la prosperità degli scambi commerciali. Se a partire dall’era industriale ci fu un movimento dalle aree montano-periferiche verso Milano, ora vogliamo ripercorrere a ritroso quel percorso, seguendo le vie dell’acqua controcorrente, verso le sorgenti, in un ritorno alle origini.
Risaliamo da sud a nord, dalla pianura alla montagna: partendo dalla Darsena e dal Naviglio Grande, visitiamo il Naviglio della Martesana, per poi toccare le coste orientali del Lago Maggiore, fino ad arrivare al confine con la Svizzera.
Shortly
Tour
the Navigli
Visit to some of the iconic places linked to Old Milano, such as the Darsena and the Navigli, where you can still find typical establishments and experience the atmosphere of the city from the past.
Suggested Activities for a Day in Milano:
- Guided exploration to uncover the distinctive features of Milanese ‘ringhiera’ houses in the Navigli district.
- Traditional Aperitivo along the Navigli
- During the Christmas season, enjoy a Panettone tasting at a pastry shop showcasing traditional artisanal craftsmanship.
- Explore the village of Gorla and the Martesana Canal.
- Dance night at a ballroom or bocce court.
Laveno Mombello
Transfer to Laveno Mombello, a small municipality on the Lombardia’s shore of Lake Maggiore, where you can visit the new exhibition space ‘Le Officine dell’Acqua,’ dedicated to the boats that have been the main means of transport and work in the area. For lunch, a cooking class will introduce root travelers to traditional recipes of the local cuisine, starting with the famous perch fish.
Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso Ballaro
The Hermitage of Santa Caterina is one of the symbolic places of Lake Maggiore, nestled in the rock since the 14th century, perched on the sheer point deepest in its waters. A place of great evocative and spiritual power, still inhabited year-round by monks today. To fully savor its beauty, consider a boat or canoe excursion, allowing you to admire its reflection on the lake waters from a unique perspective not achievable from the solid ground, depending on the season.
Veddasca Valley
Val Veddasca is an example of a Pre-Alpine valley from which many people have emigrated over the past century. Monteviasco, in particular, combines the uniqueness of its history and location with a recent period of revival, where the community remains active and dedicated to bringing new life to the small village, which to this day can only be reached on foot. A guided hike to the village of Monteviasco, with a certified guide, and an encounter with a local association dedicated to territorial and cultural promotion.
Stargazing
To conclude the delightful day, enjoy a typical dinner with local valley products followed by an astronomical observation at an observation center managed by a local association.
Slow exploration and family history reconstruction
Breakfast in Monteviasco and a leisurely morning with a visit to the village and local historical sites.
In the afternoon, the option to explore beyond the village, visiting places connected to one’s family history and continuing with genealogical research.
Milano: a city of artistic excellence and talent
To complete the itinerary, you return to where you started.
Some suggested visits for the last day include the following.
- Following in the footsteps of Leonardo: Visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Last Supper.
- Behind the Scenes: Visit to the workshop of the Marionette Company Carlo Colla e Figli and/or Teatro La Scala.
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