Fly from Nice to Bergamo

The Bergamo region has a fine sporting pedigree, having been the birthplace of Felice Gimondi, one of the heroes of the Tour de France, it thrills the locals with the exploits of Atalanta, its football club which has risen up to become one of Italy's greats. But above all, the City of the Thousand cultivates its bohemian spirit, and retains a remarkable architectural and artistic heritage. Indeed, the city was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2023, together with neighbouring Brescia, the birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti, the composer of Lucia di Lammermoor one of Italy's finest operas. Such a distinction is amply justified by the baroque splendour of its churches, the masterpieces in its museums and the ancient façades of the palaces in the upper town.

If you're are travelling as a couple or with friends, you'll be able to visit as many places as you like, and enjoy a little shopping in the city's elegant boutiques or relax on a bar terrace with a cappuccino, a negroni or a glass of Moscato di Scanzo, a rare and refined Bergamo nectar. If you are on a family holiday, you'll enjoy taking the funicular railway, stroll along the ramparts, marvelling at the view, and indulging in some stracciatella ice cream, a delicious combination of ice cream and chocolate chips.

But here, happiness is also about immersing yourself in nature. The countryside around Bergamo's offers a host of outdoor activities: a trip to the Italy’s Lake District, a visit to the Franciacorta vineyards, the mountain village of Clusone, the medieval castles of Malpaga, Urgnano or Grumello, or the Valpredina nature reserve, to name but a few.

• Climb to the top of the Città Alta, the historic heart of the city and a World Heritage Site, by taking the funicular railway that has been linking the upper and lower parts of Bergamo with gradients of over 50% for more than a hundred years.
• Cross the Venetian walls that have guarded the old town of Bergamo for five centuries via the San Giacomo gate, a magnificent structure with a marble façade that sparkles in the rising sun, and a stone viaduct that spans the moat.
• Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the five kilometres of a beautifully landscaped, tree-lined wall, with its superb views over the Bergamo region.
• Get lost in the streets of the Città Alta and dreamily admire its palaces and houses from another time. Linger in a café terrace in one of the many squares in the old town, or browse the shop windows in via Colleoni, the main thoroughfare in this pretty labyrinth.
• Stand in the middle of Piazza Vecchia, the jewel in the crown of Città Alta, and look around you at the wonders to be found there: the Contarini fountain, the eight-hundred-year-old Palazzo della Ragione, and, opposite it, the Palazzo Nuova, a great white marble ship.
• At 10pm sharp, count the bells of Campeone, the bell tower in Piazza Vecchia. There ring not 10, or even 22, but 100 times! This is how the city announced its gates were closing at night. The tradition has continued ever since.
• Admire the works of art at the Accademia Carrara, Bergamo's finest museum. It houses 1,800 paintings of masters from the 15th to 18th centuries. You'll find works signed by Botticelli, Raffaello, Tiziano, Bellini, as well as Moroni, a renowned portrait painter from Bergama.
• Visit the churches of the Città Alta, the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro Cathedral, with its flamboyant decor, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, with its stunning Baroque decor, and the Colleoni Chapel. Built in the Renaissance style, it bears the name of a native son of the region, one of the most illustrious condottiere (army leaders) of the 15th century.
• Try Bergamo's local delicacies such as casoncelli, ravioli stuffed with meat and amaretti, the famous Italian macaroons scarpinòcc, cheese and spice ravioli, and brasato della bassa, a veal leg braised in red wine.
• Sink into the warm spa waters of San Pellegrino. Before it was famous for bottled water, it was a pretty spa town close to Bergamo. Its thermal baths and outdoor pools still delight guests all year round.