If, like pop group Right Said Fred, you’re ‘too sexy for Milan’ and its main airports, try stylish, hugely underrated Bergamo instead. It’s just a short Ryanair flight from Bristol, and is a lovely, compact, highly explorable two-level city of a similar size to Cheltenham. The location at the foot of the Alps, near the northern Italian lakes and overlooking the broad Lombardy plain, is perfect.

Classy hotels and cosy B&Bs
Bergamo is easy to get around and has plenty of accommodation for every budget and taste. Fancy the full works? Try full-board somewhere like the lower city’s Hotel Petronilla. Or Hotel Relais San Lorenzo up in the romantic walled Città Alta (‘old city’).

Alternatively, how about a cosy B&B, like Giovanna Schiavi’s ‘Magnolia’ (Via Generale Armando Diaz)? It’s in the lower city’s heart, yet near the Funicolare Città Alta. We loved the location and Giovanna’s warm welcome. And if you must skip Bergamo’s wonderful restaurants (don’t miss the sausage-meat-stuffed casoncelli ravioli) and pizzerias, you’ll have a private kitchen for self-catering with the excellent local produce…

Amazing views from romantic Città Alta
Accommodation sorted, it’s exploration time. The walled Città Alta is a must-visit for cafes and restaurants, narrow streets, exquisite architecture with distinct Venetian influences, and marvellous views. The climb is definitely worth the effort. Alternatively, take the funicular to Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, then visit Duomo di Bergamo, Piazza della Cittadella and the Piazza Vechiat’s fountains. It’ll soon be time for coffee, super-sweet Polenta e Osei and Torta Millefoglie, or an early lunch (try Latteria Caffetteria Di Zia or La Marianna). Then enjoy the views over the city and plain from Viale delle Mura, before descending to the lower city between sleepy gardens, vineyards and villas.

After-dinner gelato is compulsory!
Finally, as shadows lengthen and night falls, join the Bergamache for dinner and post-prandial passeggiata to one of the city’s gelato parlours – it’s compulsory!

Tomorrow, if you fancy a change of scene, let Trenitalia take the strain and enjoy a day-trip to Lecco on Lake Como for lunch, lakeside walks among sun washed villas and celebrity spotting – apparently, George Clooney owns a home nearby!

Ideal for a weekend or a longer stay
Bergamo is ideal for weekend breaks or as a base for longer exploration of Lombardy. Either way, having visited once and happily said ‘arrivederci Bergamo’ before heading home, we’re sure you’ll return soon!