Mantova is a fabulous place to visit and we go along with Torquato Tasso writing in 1586 following his visit to Lombardia: "This is a most beautiful town worthy of travelling a thousand miles to see it'". So what are you waiting for!

1. THE DUKES PALACE

Palazzo Ducale is really a town in the shape of a palace and was built to compete with the major European courts of the 13th to 14th centuries. It is 34,000 square meters of lanes, squares, courtyards, gardens and well preserved rooms housing priceless masterpieces. Not least the 'Camera dei Sposi' sumptuously frescoed by Andrea Mantegna with Emperors, Kings and crowds of people. horses and dogs. In fact, the ruling Gonzagas were great animal lovers and even built a dog's courtyard by a lakeside wing of the complex. You can still see a gravestone to their beloved 'Oriana'.

Ever tried to buy a ticket for La Scala Theater in Milan? Andrea Borgen tells Delicious Italy how it's done.

"The Teatro alla Scala is one of the world's most famous opera houses, open since August 3, 1778 and recently completely and stunningly refurbished. The opera season traditionally begins on December 7, the feast day of San Ambrogio (Milan's patron saint). This being said, performances continue year-round, entertaining audiences with various operas, ballets, and orchestral concerts.

The day of every performance, the Theatre reserves 140 gallery seats. Although obtaining a ticket can be a bit tricky, it is well worth your while if you are on a budget or if the performance is sold-out. Tickets can be purchased either online, or at the main box office, located inside the Duomo metro station.

Milan is, of course, the fashion capital of the world. The capital of the region of Lombardia is knwon to everyone as a shopper's paradise and perhaps the city boasts the finest collection of designer shops in Europe. But, navigating through the many shopping districts is a little easier said than done. With so many options available, it is important to know what you are looking for.

For the season's latest designs

Quadrilatero della Moda - Literally meaning "Quadrilateral of Fashion," this district boasts the most lavish and refined shops in the city.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele - This beautiful galleria is reputed to be one of the world's first shopping malls. Inside you will find various elegant restaurants and designer stores. Right outside the galleria, in piazza Duomo, is La Rinascente - Milan's premier department store, spread throughout 8 floors.

Notwithstanding the glam and colour of Europe's finest 'ready-to-wear' fashion scene, Milan may seem pretty grey at times. But if you know where to go there are oases of incredible art and imagination from museums, galleries and permanent exhibitions.

First and above all, the 'The Last Supper' at the Cenacolo Vinciano, Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2. The masterpiece by Leonardo in the small convent dates from 1497 is compulsory viewing and compulsory booking as we discovered to our cost.

You can't just turn up and wait in the queue, you have to book in advance. Make sure you do it at least a month before online or telephone +39 02 89421146. Frustrating? You bet.

This is a route celebrating Milan's place as perhaps Italy's first city of music. In fact, the city has an ancient tradition of Ambrosian rites and chants since the 4th century.It's not just about the Teatro alla Scala but thirteen additional locations from concert halls to museums, coffee houses and shops.

The Museo del Bijou di Casalmaggiore is a very fine jewellery museum located in the province of Cremona in Lombardia. The museum was founded in 1986 and celebrates an industry which grew up in Casalmaggiore from the end of the 19th century until its demise in the 1970's.

Lombardia is a region of enormous historical and cultural interest, a land full of antique traditions, legends, mystery and folklore.

The following itinerary has been proposed by the Associazione Culturale Itineraribased in Sesto Calende to help the visitor discover places of ancient significance and inspiration.

For sure many ancient Roman boys wanted to become Gladiators.

You had to be as tough as nails to live in the northern Lombardia valleys. The winters were so cold that the only economic activity was distilling grappa and drinking it was one of only two leisure activities.

The Taleggio Valley is in the upper province of Bergamo and famous for the local cheese of the same name. Taleggio itself includes Sottochiesa, Pizzino, Olda e Peghera. Take the road towards San Pellegrino Terme then left into the valley by S.Giovanni Bianco.

Harlequin, or Arlecchino, the famous masked comedy figure with his multi-coloured costume and devious tricks, apparently lived in the village of Oneta in Val Brembana in the province of Bergamo.

There are actually two, very distinct parts of Bergamo. The older, original Bergamo Alto sits inside the ancient city walls on top of an impregnable looking hill, while the more modern sprawling Bergamo lies on the flat plain below.

Nights of Light 'Notti di Luce' is an annual event taking place in the city of Bergamo in late August. It is an opportunity to discover the beautiful historical centre of old Bergamo through a festival of lights, music, theatre and poetry.

The name 'Desenzano del Garda' derives from 'Decentianum' which was the term used to describe the farm, country estate and country residence of the wealthy Roman Decentius on the southern shores of Lake Garda.

Roberto Baggio was the last name to conquer Brescia. One of the first was Attila the Hun.

Brescia itself was originally called Brixia by the Romans and was an important strategic base for their conquest north.

The western banks of Lake Garda are located in Lombardia and promoted by the tourism authorities from that region.

We have already written about the town of Salò but here offer a few pointers to two towns on the southern shore - Sirmione and Desenzano del Garda.

The day after Saint Valentine's Day is Saint Faustino's Day. So what? Well, the saint day has been adopted by single people in Italy. In other words he is the patron saint of people with no lover.

The last time Salò was in the news was when it was the short lived 'Repubblica Sociale Italiana' of Salò or the Italian Socialist Republic of Salò.

The town of Como was originally a Celtic or Gallic border outpost linking Italy to Switzerland and northern Europe. The Romans got there in 196 BC and cleverly kept much of it the same, renaming it Novum Comum. From then the place has never looked back.

Venice may have the best Carnival in Italy but those in Lombardia are a mixture of the weird and wonderful. For starters, try the version at Schignano in the province of Como. A similar event also takes place in the provnice of Sondrio.

Cremona is a confusing place. Is it also Crema? If so, where's Cremonese? To make matters worse is the town of Cremeno anything to do with it? Read on.

The Sgambeda di Livigno is a lung bursting 42 kilometre cross country ski race which traditionally opens the new season.

It was once an event reserved for amateurs and, indeed, it was commonly known as a 'marce popolari'. Today it is called 'granfondo', is included in the FIS Marathon Cup and the winners take home a cool 21,000 euros. That's 500 euros every kilometre by our rough maths.

Livigno is situated in a vast valley. It s 18 kms long and hits an altitude of 1800m framed by a chain of mountains which still higher at 3000m.

The valley forms a connection between the Stelvio and Engadina National Parks, the largest in Europe apparently.

Lombardia is a region of enormous historical and cultural interest, a land full of antique traditions, legends, mystery and folklore. The following itinerary has been proposed by the Associazione Culturale Itinerari based in Sesto Calende to put the visitor on the trail of witches, fairies and ghosts.

Mantova is a noble town. Its has always been blessed with a certain stylish aspect ever since the soothsayer Manto arrived in the marshy lowlands of the river Mincio fleeing from Thebes. It was also the birthplace of the Latin poet Virgil, and most recently Tazio Nuvolari (see below).

HOW, WHERE, WHEN' is the name of the super practical and concise guide to the province of Pavia produced by the tourism authority.

Inside is everything from lists of cultural events and restaurants to when the weekly markets take place, as well as the best places to buy the typical products or wine of the area.

The Cammino or Walks of Saint Augustin proposes 25 itineraries to discover the area of Brianza in the zone Monza and North of Milan. At ach stop you can visit a Sanctuary dedicated to Mary and the sites where the Saint Augustin stayed.

Is is possible to travel the length of the River Po? Apparently yes. The Venetians at the height of the Republic of Venice would take their boats up stream towards Lake Maggiore and the river was an important waterway for ferrying crops and other materials to the larger cities along the way.

'Die D.O.C. Weinstrassen Der Lombardei' is German for 'Strade dei Vini D.O.C di Lombardia' which is Italian for 'DOC wine route of Lombardia' in English.

It is also the name of a fat booklet produced by the Regione Lombardia listing everything the visitor needs to know about wine hunting in the region.

Until the arrival of the train, travelling through the Alps was a tricky, hazardous and pretty worrying undertaking.

If you look at a map of Italy you can't really avoid the mountains from northern Europe without a huge detour to Ventimiglia or Trieste. Just ask Hannibal. So how do you get through by the shortest and safest route possible?