Culture, Cuisine and Chasing the Lights

[UpInTheAir:)]

Where is the gorgeous snow shot from?
Did I miss something

 

[amaroo]

Where is the gorgeous snow shot from?
Did I miss something

View from our room... waking up the next morning. We had three nights in Bergamo.

 

[amaroo]

The hotel is built on top and around ruins dating back to the 6th Century BC. They've done an amazing job integrating the archeological site with the hotel - pretty special to eat, drink and wander amongst the history!

http://www.relaisanlorenzo.com/rsl_archeologica_en.html

http://www.relaisanlorenzo.com/rsl_progetto_en.html

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Love it! Reminds me of where we stayed in Zermatt.. Guess it's just the other side of the Alps

 

[amaroo]

Bergamo has two centres "Citta alta" (upper city) and "Citta bassa" (lower city). The upper city is your classic Italian medieval hilltop beauty... the lower is modern and commercial. We stayed in the upper city and loved it!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergamo

After checking-in, we hit the streets to get a feel for the place and refuel before dinner

 

[amaroo]

I booked this months earlier as I'd been told good things about the young chef showing plenty of promise. Glad I did - the place was full.

Hostaria http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...ria-Bergamo_Province_of_Bergamo_Lombardy.html







Yeah, we like that!

 

[amaroo]

The bread



Entrees



These go together... and worked.





Mains

 

[amaroo]

Wow, what a meal. Sensational - tasted better than what it looked.

Eat here!

 

[drron]

Both the hotel and restaurant look fabulous.Well researched.

 

[amaroo]

Both the hotel and restaurant look fabulous.Well researched.

You can add Bergamo to that list - beautiful!

 

[amaroo]

A day in Bergamo...

Piazza Vecchia



Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore





Cappella Colleoni ... local heavy decided his mausoleum should be built right in the spot of the Basilica sacristy - so he had his men knock it down and built this. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappella_Colleoni



The first snow of the trip

 

[amaroo]

Bergamo has two Funiculars, and I recommend you do them both.

One links the upper and lower towns. The other goes up to San Vigilio... the place where this iconic photo of Bergamo is taken from.

The lower Funicular







The lower town is nice and has plenty to offer. All the major brands are located down here and the shopping is pretty good for European standards.

 

[amaroo]

The Funicular that goes up to San Vigilio



Didn't take long before we lost visibility



The top







No iconic photo op today!

 

[amaroo]

For dinner we had booked Osteria Al Gigianca, located in the lower town.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...nca-Bergamo_Province_of_Bergamo_Lombardy.html

Unfortunately, the weather turn nasty and you couldn't get a taxi for love nor money☹ we finally gave up - when the concierge did... I got him to phone and apologise on our behalf and asked for an alternative within walking distance.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...mmo-Bergamo_Province_of_Bergamo_Lombardy.html

Well, he didn't disappoint!

 

[amaroo]

Terrific meal! The place was packed, I think we can thank the concierge for getting us in.

 

[amaroo]

Amaroo you are teasing me. Are the northern lights coming soon?

Good news love_the_life ... I have the photos!

 

[JohnM]

Dang! Would have driven past Bergamo about three years ago en route Venice-Bellagio. Didn't realise how sensational it was. Oh, well an excuse to go back when I get a moment .

 

[amaroo]

When we woke to this view



I immediately had the urge to head back up to San Vigilio to take it all in. The guy at the desk said the funicular would be operating by 8.30am... so I convinced the other three to come with me.

Alas, the info was wrong, we were 30mins too early... that's when I lost the other three who all returned to the hotel for breakfast.

I was still keen so decided to kill the 30mins by taking a walk... it was a nice walk!

 

[amaroo]

9am eventually arrived, and I was on my away.



I didn't have much time on my hands as we had a taxi booked at 9.45 to take us to the train station. We had a big day planned in Milan... no worries, I've got plenty of time!

I'd allowed myself 15mins to take a look around. and then head back down to meet the taxi - perfect.

This is what a 15min stickybeak looks like at San Vigilio...









Feeling quite chuffed, I was back at the Funicular station ready to board the 9.30 service....then the 9.45...

At this point I wasn't feeling very chuffed. The bloody funicular was busted! Long story short we ended up getting a taxi to drive us to Milan... the mornings stickybeaking ended up costing €100 more than the train ride :-|

 

[love_the_life]

Good news love_the_life ... I have the photos!

Wow, wow and wow some more. That is spectacular!