Sondrio and Teglio (the Valtellina vineyards)
Most of our Lombardy stock is in the Valtellina. Above Sondrio, the south-facing slopes are stepped with dry-stone terraces of Nebbiolo vines, used for red wines such as Sassella, Inferno and the raisined Sforzato. Teglio, on a terrace above the valley, claims pizzoccheri, buckwheat pasta baked with cabbage and cheese, and has the Renaissance Palazzo Besta. Bergamo and Milan Linate airports are around two hours away.
Best for: Walkers and wine lovers who want terraced vineyards and mountain food
Not for you if: You want lakes or nightlife: this is a working Alpine valley that goes quiet early.
Val di Mello, Ardenno and Mello (the lower Valtellina)
Ardenno sits at the mouth of the Val Masino, which leads up to the Val di Mello, a nature reserve of granite cliffs, waterfalls and meadows with a flat path along the river. It is one of Italy's best-known climbing areas. Mello, despite the name, is a separate village on the sunny slopes further down the main valley, above Traona. Milan is around an hour and three quarters away by car.
Best for: Climbers, boulderers and hikers who want granite walls and river pools
Not for you if: You dislike summer weekend crowds: Val di Mello fills with day visitors from Milan in July and August.
Valle di Tartano and the Valli del Bitto (Gerola and Albaredo)
These are side valleys climbing south from Morbegno into the Orobie Alps. Val Tartano has the Ponte nel Cielo, a 234-metre suspension footbridge 140 metres above the valley, which needs booking at weekends and in August. The Bitto valleys around Gerola Alta and Albaredo give their name to Bitto, a cheese made in summer on the high pastures. We have only a couple of houses up here.
Best for: Hikers who want high pastures, cheese and very few other visitors
Not for you if: You get car sick or dislike heights: the roads up are narrow and full of hairpins.
Chiavenna (the Valchiavenna in summer)
Chiavenna is an old trading town on the route to the Splügen and Maloja passes, with a compact centre of stone houses and a river running through it. The Acquafraggia waterfalls are a short drive up the valley towards Switzerland, and the road over the Maloja to St Moritz makes a long day trip. The top of Lake Como is around 20 to 25 minutes south. Milan Linate is around two hours away.
Best for: A small historic town base near the Swiss border
Not for you if: You want ski slopes from the door: the town sits on the valley floor, below the resorts.
Oltrepò Pavese and Pavia (south of Milan)
South of the river Po, the Oltrepò Pavese is a quiet area of vineyard hills, castles and villages, known for Pinot Nero, sparkling wines and Varzi salami. Pavia, on the river Ticino, has a covered bridge, rebuilt after the war, and an old university, and the Certosa di Pavia monastery is just north of the city. Milan Linate is around an hour from most of this area.
Best for: Wine weekends and short stays an hour from Milan
Not for you if: You want big scenery: these are gentle hills, pretty rather than dramatic.
Lurago d'Erba, Sirtori and Bergamo (the Brianza and around)
Lurago d'Erba and Sirtori are in the Brianza, the hilly, well-to-do strip between Milan and the lakes. Sirtori is next to the Montevecchia park, with walking trails and terraced vineyards, and both Como and Lecco are around half an hour away. Bergamo's walled upper town, reached by funicular, is 15 minutes from its airport. One further house is at Caronno Varesino, near Varese and around half an hour from Malpensa.
Best for: Easy day trips to Milan, Bergamo and the lakes
Not for you if: You want a remote rural house: this is a built-up area with busy roads between towns.
