Bergamo Travel Forum

Hi there, I am a 25 year old taking my girlfriend to Italy for the first time. We will be ariving at Bergamo on Sun 16th Dec and leaving Thu 20th Dec. I would like to spend some time in Milan and some time in the Bergamo area. I don't know anything about the two places and would appreciate any advice on how to plan my itinerary. I was thinking of spending the first 2 nights in Milan and second 2 nights in the Bergamo area. I am looking to experiance some of the culture of the region as well as sampling the local food and night life. I would also really like to see some breathtaking scenery if poss (foothills of the mountains or lakes?). In regards to accomodation I would like to stay somewhere traditional with individual characteristics at a reasonable price, so around £60 night between us. I am also interested in how much it costs to eat out and get around. I would like to makes this as special as poss for the both of us so any help would be great.

In return I live in Bristol England so any advice you need regarding this area please ask!

are you flying into bergamo airport- if so probably the easiest way would be stay milan first them back to bergamo before flying home - time wise will be better for you. I f you are flying to malpensa then do the opposite
have a burger from the burger vans in san siro - you'll not want to buy another from an english burger van afterwards - i can assure of that

have fun
julie

Yeah this is what I thought would make sense, allthough after reading some of the comments on here I'm not sure if I want to spend two nights in Milan. It seems as though there is alot to do in Bergamo and it is a more attractive area. I want to make the most of my time. I'm a bit of a romantic so really looking for special places that are off the usual tourist trail, little resturants down dark alleys that give personal service and exquisite food. Thanks for your advice, if you think of anything else let me know :)

Hello,

I will try to explain my point of view about Bergamo (the place where I live) and Milan (where I studied and where I am working)
Milan is a big city, a kind of paradise for shopping and nightlife, there are streets full of shops and other full of bars where you'll find crowd till late at night. The area around Milan's Cathedral is breathtaking, the gothic Duomo itself, the castle and the street that connect them where, at the moment, there's a beautiful pictures exposition. You can also find interesting museums.
Bergamo is a small city with a upper old town, full of very romantic places and ancient buildings. You will not find much for night life apart from some pubs ("irish pubs" as they call them but I don't know what a British could think about them). As for food and restaurant, I think you should find them in Bergamo, it's less turistic and more characteristic for typical food. In Milan you would risk to pay a lot for nothing. In my tips you will found some ideas for restaurants.
If you're looking for some natural places I think you should have a walk in the mountainside and possibly go sking (try to avoid weekends because you would find an incredible crowd). You can take a bus from the train station in Bergamo and reach a lot of interesting places in the mountainside. Two interesting towns sorrounded by the mouyntains are Clusone and San Pellegrino Terme (where the famous brand of water comes from). In Clusone you'll find a famous painting called "la danza macabra". If you want a more "natural" experience you have to go further in the valleys. The mountainside is also interesting for food. I think a good idea is to go to the tourist office in the upper town and to tell them what you're looking for and they'll help you!
Unfortunately I don't have experiences in accomodation in Bergamo but if you have some ideas and you want to be sure about areas, feel free to ask me!

I hope I have been clear,

Cheers
Sergio

http://www.apt.bergamo.it/L_inglese/home_inglese.html
Here you can find a lot of info about Bergamo, monuments, restaurants and accomodation. In the old city (upper city - cittą alta) there are at least two hotels in the centre (Sole and Agnello d'Oro), plus some B&B, both in the centre and on the surrounding hills. Some of them are rally cosy (and romantic). Have a look at their websites.
If you plan to stay in Bergamo, you can easily travel to Milano; buses and trains take one hour; buses every half an hour to and from Milano city centre, till night.
If you like "off the beaten path", you can make a day trip to Lovere, one hour by bus from Bergamo, a lovely small town on a lake, where you can even take a boat trip.
If you need some more info, feel free to ask.
Ciao.

Wow thanks guys, thats an excelent responce and it gives me alot to think about and plan. I'm sure I'm gonna have fun whatever I do. I think I will prob stay in Bergamo and maybe make 1 trip into Milan to see the sights and party! It would be a shame to be that close to Milan and not see it. I live in a city so I think time spent in the countryside would be more worth-while. Anyway thank you for your help if I need any more advice I will certaintly ask.

Bye!