Buzz
When asking: “Where is the most beautiful place in Italy during the early days of autumn?”, the majority of locals will mention the names of small cities nestled in the northern mountainous region.
What is the most beautiful destination for tourism in Italy during the early days of autumn?
Last September, we visited the Valtellina Valley, renowned for its ancient towns surrounded by terraced vineyards on the Alps. Despite being a bit early, the group hoped to witness the vineyards gradually changing their leaf colors.
Ancient towns in the valley
From Milan, a two-hour train ride takes you to Lake Como. This lake, located near the border with Switzerland, is famous in Italian literature for its breathtaking scenery. Under the autumn sun, the deep blue water reflects the snow-capped peaks.
We strolled along the shores of the lake, entering the majestic Alps region. The trees remained lush green, only the tendrils of new leaves slightly tilted towards a reddish hue. Mountain houses dotted the landscape, though the vineyards had yet to change their colors. Reaching the city of Sondrio, we stealthily navigated through the square, indulging in the pure and tranquil atmosphere of the picturesque town.
Sondrio exudes a medieval charm with its deep, mysterious alleys and stone staircases. Everywhere, in hidden corners, are quaint inns nestled within ancient structures. Tiny shops line the streets, showcasing the two regional specialties: fine wines and salted beef.
The mountain Alps cattle offer succulent and exquisite meat; locals salt and smoke it until each large chunk is as firm as wood yet retains its vibrant red hue. Sliced thinly, the meat looks fresh and delicate like rose petals, especially delightful when paired with a sip of red wine. Life in this rugged mountainous region becomes anything but dull!
To journey north of Sondrio, the group followed a narrow trail through an ancient stone-built village nestled on the mountainside. Every house in this village boasts a vineyard, with grapes even growing on balconies. Within the village, pomegranates, kiwis, figs, olives hang heavily from branches, ripening and ready to be savored. Passing through houses and vineyards, we reached the end of the famous viewpoint.
This four-kilometer route from Sondrio to Tresivio traverses the heart of the Valtellina valley, running from west to east. Travelers on this road can admire the panoramic view of the valley, the majestic snow-capped Alps surrounding the town. Sondrio, with its quaint bell towers, lies in the lush suburban greenery, and a river flows through like a ribbon of emerald. Gazing upward, the terraced vineyards on the mountainside, accompanied by white church houses, resemble a fairyland scene.
Walking the path, passengers can behold the entire valley, witnessing the grandeur of the snow-covered Alps range. Surrounding Sondrio, the antique bell towers stand in the midst of lush green suburbs, and a river meanders like a strip of jade through the landscape. Looking up, the terraced vineyards on the mountainside, adorned with white church-like houses, create a magical, enchanting sight.
After a while, we noticed small trucks under the vineyard, revealing the ongoing harvest of black grapes for red wine production. However, many vineyards remained untouched, with withered leaves and fermented grapes emitting a winey aroma.
During noon, the group took a break at Grumello Fortress. Lavender and thyme flowers wafted their fragrances from large bushes at the foot of the stone walls. Inside the fortress courtyard, barrels of wine were stored, and a bronze rooster statue stood on the highest window. Starting from the fortress, our journey descended into the valley, weaving through vineyards.
The winding path was surprisingly easy, being flat and not too steep. Looking up from below, one could see giant stone-built signs displaying the names of wine brands on the vineyard walls.
Families here cultivate their own grapes, produce wine, and visitors can taste and purchase directly from these wine cellars. Hence, Sondrio is aptly called the city of wine.
White Castle by Lake Maggiore
Before heading back to Milan, we visited the city of Arona on the shores of Lake Maggiore. As the train approached the station, glimpses across the azure lake revealed clusters of mountains and the imposing white Angera Castle perched on a hilltop. Opposite the station, a tourist office provided maps and guides, and we quickly headed to the nearby boat dock to purchase tickets for the ferry to Angera Castle.
Arona stands as the southernmost city on Lake Maggiore, a vast lake nestled in the Alps. While the lake offers numerous scenic views, it doesn't boast the same fame as Lake Como. The lakeside serves as the city's park, where some tree leaves have already turned brilliant red and yellow, creating a stunning contrast with the azure waters and white boats.
The ferry ride from Arona to Angera takes only five minutes, yet the breathtaking scenery on both sides of the lake is ideal for capturing photos, especially during this beautiful autumn season when leaves display vibrant hues.
The path to the castle passes through a quiet, colorful neighborhood, then a large estate with grazing sheep, llamas, goats, and horses. From here, the castle atop the oak forest-covered mountain is visible. Surprisingly, the climb is not too tiring, as the route follows a spacious and gently sloping road accessible by car.
In this season of hazelnut harvesting, fallen hazelnuts cover the hills. The majestic medieval castle, towering in white stone, boasts extensive courtyards, gardens, galleries, and large rooms adorned with vivid frescoes. Intricately carved wooden doors lead to a treasure trove of valuable artworks, including the largest doll museum in Europe on the first and second floors.
Exploring the various dolls of different materials and sizes from around the world is fascinating. However, it doesn't compare to climbing the castle's upper floors, reaching the highest lookout tower, to enjoy a panoramic view: the deep blue Lake Maggiore, the ancient city of Angera with its churches and red-tiled roofs amidst trees changing colors, and across the lake, Arona with the imposing statue of Saint Charles on the sacred mountain. In the distance, a lush forest extends with small islands dotting the lake.
After touring all the castle rooms, we ventured into the vast and enchanting garden. The vineyard in this area has already been harvested, leaving only red-hued leaves. The flower garden emanates intoxicating scents of lavender, thyme, and violets. A remarkably ancient well graces the scene. This garden is enclosed by a balustrade wall, offering a direct view of the lake.
What I love most here is the abundance of fruit-bearing trees. The lakeside railing is surrounded by black olives ripe on the branches, falling plentifully at the base. The garden boasts golden ripe peaches resembling bowls, red ripe pomegranates, clusters of ripe kiwis hanging on the vines, apples, persimmons in season. There's even a section for aromatic herbs and various spices, with a charming wooden tent at the end of the garden...
Northern Italy's mountainous region may not feature grand cities like Florence or Venice, but it's truly unforgettable with its breathtaking natural scenery and adorable little castles!
According to doanhnhansaigon.vn
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourAugust 21, 2015
