STREETWISE® Italian Lake District Map 2008 - Street Map

Revised 12/2008

Laminated Regional Map of the Italian Lake District - Folding Pocket Size Travel Map

This map includes the following coverage:
Main Italian Lake District Map 1:509,000
Milan Area Map 1:98,000
Como Center Map 1:17,000
Bergamo Map 1:19,000
Bellagio Map 1:3,500
Lugano Area Map 1:40,000
Lugano Center Map 1:14,000
Verona Map 1:16,500

It’s where George Clooney goes to retreat from the clamor of glamour. It’s where Hemingway soaked up inspiration for A Farewell to Arms. Nietzsche said that when he visited, it forever changed his life. It’s here that James Bond made the pivotal transition into Bond, James Bond.

It is the Italian Lake District, renowned for its dramatic scenery and temperate climate. Stretching along the alpine border between northern Italy and Switzerland, this fairyland of blue waters, snow capped mountains, charming villages and grand hotels has always been a favorite haunt of celebrities, fictional or otherwise.

STREETWISE Italian Lake District is a detailed driving map of the area that is home to the famous Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Como, Lake Iseo and Lake Garda.

Start from Milan and, using the Milan area map, create your own self guided tour between the lakeside villages of Orta S. Giulio, Tremezzo, Cernobbio, Mennagio, Varenna and Sirmione. Cross the border and venture into the pristine Swiss towns of Lugano and Ascona. Take a ferry and visit the still owner -occupied Isole Borromee, home to the Borromeo family since the 15th century.

Particularly useful are inset maps of Bergamo, Bellagio, Como center, Lugano center and the Lugano area.

The inset map of Bergamo illustrates both the upper and lower parts of Bergamo. The 19th century lower town, Città Bassa, features the Accademia Carrara, a small but exquisite museum featuring painters of the region. Connected by a funicular, the upper town, Città Alta, is a beautifully preserved example of medieval architecture.

Since you are already in the car, don’t miss going a little further east to Verona. You can find your way around with the city inset map.

Romeo and Juliet may be the initial draw, but there is so much more to entice you. Get the visit to the touristy balcony that might have been Juliet’s over quickly (maybe you’ll see the young local girl who dresses up and appears at the railing to the delight of tour groups), then move on to the real sights; Roman monuments, medieval churches, elegant shops and café lined piazzas filled with chattering locals.

The Roman Amphitheater is spectacular, especially if you’ve planned ahead and secured tickets to a summer opera performance. Sitting under the stars, hearing the music ascend through the ancient arena and watching the performance in much the same way the Romans did over two thousand years ago is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.