THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 L'Italo-Americano www.italoamericano.org 15 ALL AROUND TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

MARIELLA RADAELLI : Scenic heart of nly 20 miles from and yet a world apart, the Osolid heart of Lombardy beats to its own timeless rhythm in the pretty hilltop village of Montevecchia, a place where old traditions live on unabashed in a breathtaking setting where cheese meets wine at the center of the Brianza lecchese . There are no global brands in sight, no cybercafes or fast food joints, instead trattorias and chic rustic restaurants that offer revis - ited regional cuisine. Rich in rural buildings, court - yards, churches and votive chapels, the Montevecchia area has for centuries been a favored holiday destination for the Milanese, particularly those in Montevecchia is most renowned for its cosy historical center, Montevecchia alta, which lies on the top of a tall hill offering great views on the entire Po need of weekend countryside Plain escape. As many visual artists and Carmelo — dedicated to Our spot the Ligurian Apennines. To sizes is unique in its delicate yet Pinuccio Casati. musicians today flee the city for Lady of Mount Carmel — for the north, you can admire the sour flavor. With aging, the com - We spent the rest of the after - more serene locales, a number spectacular views of the Po foothills of Saint Genesio in plexity of aromas increases and noon in Curone park, where choose to live atop the village Valley and distant Milan. Valcava and beyond the rising the typical flavor of goat’s milk important discoveries ranging surrounded by Curone National Every year on July 16, hun - snowy peaks of mounts Rosa and gets stronger. Chop it and sprin - from the Paleolithic to the late Park because it is only half an dreds of pilgrims shuffle on their Bianco. kle with fresh parsley, olive oil, Middle Ages have been found. hour’s drive from Milan yet knees through the sanctuary to the Novelist Mario Soldati pepper and vinegar. Within the territory of the park, offers a window onto a different statue of the Madonna. Local described Montevecchia as one of Montevecchia traditions natural habitats of rare beauty Lombardy. families still dress up in their the Brianza’s prettiest green cor - reach a high point in its rustic- have been preserved, framing the Ancient pathways connecting finest for the procession and a ners and “a high glacis, a balcony style cuisine. At La Piazzetta presence of over 100 archaeolog - houses make Montevecchia an mass conducted in chant. Nearby off the mist that rises and faces (www.ristolapiazzetta.it) the por - ical sites discovered during excellent starting point for stun - the church, at the Piazzuola straight south on windy days” tions are large, the food regional, research of the area, among ning scenic walks in the national Agnesi, elegant Villa Agnesi was where “the wines are delicate and exquisite and creative. We loved which the site of Bagaggera park. You can join an organized the home of the Milanese Maria blessed by temperate climate”. the homemade ravioli filled with stands out in importance. This is trek or download an itinerary Gaetana Agnesi, one of the most Visit the top local wine cantinas ossobuco and saffron sauce the only site in the region in from the national park website at important Western female mathe - or choose an osteria to sample served with a delicious meat which it was possible to scientifi - www.parcocurone.it. The lovely maticians and philosophers in his - local cheeses and salami. But sauce. We sampled flan di cally investigate a temporary setting offers shady walks and a tory, who lived there three cen - there is no touristic artifice. It is erborinato di capra con lentic - camp of Neanderthal Man. welcoming rifugio — hiking hut turies ago. all for real. chie and ended with burreola , a Across the sprawling grounds are — named Ca’ Soldato that pro - From this corner, fantastic The village is known for its very soft dough of raw salami sheep, goats and snoozing cats, vides a rustic respite you won’t views stretch over the valley to formagitt , rural fresh delicatessen spread on crostini , a specialty by and come twilight, a resident pair want to leave. Ca’ Soldato was the fields of grapevines beyond. cheese made from either goat or a renowned local butcher, of tawny owls. built by a Napolean soldier who On a sunny day, you can enjoy at cow milk that is fermented from fell in love with this place. a glance La Madonnina, the 18 to 24 hours. The Curone National Park covers Duomo’s highest spire, and on Montevecchia formagitt with its nearly 7,000 acres and embraces the clearest days you can even cylindrical shapes and different 10 other municipalities besides Montevecchia: , , , , , , Perego, , , Viganò. The whole area nurtures an amazing range of plant and animal life. Visit in spring and more 100 species of wildflowers will enchant you while squirrels, bats, amphibians and crayfish will be your com - panions as you walk in an excep - tionally peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Visit in late summer or early autumn to enjoy the abundance of wild almonds, wal - nuts, chestnuts and figs. We took the train from Milan and got off in Cernusco Lombardone. Starting at Cernusco railway station and fol - lowing red arrows we took a path that led us to the more modern part of the village below. We stopped off at a cafeteria for a cappuccino and a cornetto con crema , then climbed the steep steps in the old town to the haunt - ing Sanctuary of the Madonna del