Six of the best northern Italian towns

THE most famous temptations of northern Italy - the cities of Venice, Milan
and Turin, and the panoramic charms of the Lakes - make it easy to forget
the diversity and richness of the region’s smaller towns.

Yet from Rivoli in western Piedmont to Trieste in the east, it is possible to
enjoy all pleasures of the region, but without the crowded sprawl and high
prices of the larger destinations.

Here, from Vercelli to Padua, are six towns in which history and contemporary
life enjoy a successful and reassuringly comfortable long-term marriage. You
can reach them on budget airlines to small Italian airports, such as Bergamo
and Treviso, and all are within easy reach of each other by car or local
trains and buses.

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