After I was invited by Brescia Tourism to spend a day attending to know their metropolis somewhat higher, I jumped on the likelihood to return to Italy, a rustic that I really like greater than some other (even Germany).
How one can Spend a Excellent 24 Hours in Brescia
So why go to Brescia? So how do you spend an ideal 24 hours in Brescia? It goes somewhat one thing like this …
1) Trip in Model
After I arrived on the airport in Bergamo, I used to be picked up by a uniformed driver from DeMasi Automobile. He led me to a black Mercedes and it was all I might to not squeal with delight. That is severely not the type of factor that ever occurs to me, as I’m a poor author restricted to public transit in Berlin and my very own two ft.
I suppressed my urge to hug the driving force, tried to stay dignified (even pretended to be regal), and we have been quickly on our method to Brescia.
2) Keep at Albergo Orologio Lodge
A fast 40 minutes later, we have been there. The ridiculously quick journey allowed my interior pace demon to floor, as Italian drivers deal with their highways like Germany’s autobahn. I needed to cease myself from telling him to drive even sooner.
It was simply earlier than midnight after we received to Albergo Orologio Lodge, a captivating 3-star lodge situated in central Brescia, solely steps away from Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Loggia.
Earlier within the day, I’d been knowledgeable that the lodge workers really left the lodge at 11:00 p.m. and didn’t return till morning. I didn’t need to fear, as I used to be supplied with a passcode to entry the lodge and was capable of retrieve my room card, left for me on the entrance desk.
The small lodge was unexpectedly heat and welcoming. And likewise very yellow, making me need to sing “They name me mellow, yellow …”
This massive king-sized mattress was precisely what wanted to get evening’s relaxation. I really like beds, I really feel as in the event that they’re my buddies, and I make a concerted effort to spend a terrific deal of time in them. I swan-dived into the center of the mattress, snuggled up underneath the covers, jumped on the lodge’s free wifi, and watched some NetFlix earlier than nodding off to sleep.
The day started with sunshine, so I excitedly opened my window for a view of the interior courtyard. Whereas I might have cherished one in all their rooms with a panoramic view of town, I do have a factor for courtyards.
Albergo Orologio gives a luxurious buffet breakfast and simply accommodated my want for a lactose-free meal. I sipped on a cappuccino with soy milk, ate some lactose-free yogurt, and nibbled on some tasty vegan biscotti earlier than beginning my day.
Really helpful studying: For extra concepts about the place to remain within the metropolis, examine these finest Brescia accommodations.
3) Soak up Piazza della Loggia Through the Day
Our metropolis tour of Brescia began out at Piazza della Loggia, a Renaissance sq. surrounded by Venetian-style buildings, together with the Palazzo della Loggia. As all the time, Italy dazzled me with all of her magnificence and historical past.
Unbelievably, this now-restored sq. was bombed by a right-wing group in 1974 which resulted within the dying of eight folks and the wounding of greater than 100. At present, it’s a bustling place full of locals passing by and vacationers like me, trying fully gob-smacked when taking in all of that architectural grandeur.
4) Wander the Streets of Brescia
Leaving Piazza della Loggia, our go to to Brescia continued by wandering by town streets the place we glimpsed residents of Brescia going about their on a regular basis life.
Really helpful studying: Stunning Italy and Wandering the Streets of Brescia
This transient wandering of ours was one of many highlights of the day for me, as one in all my favourite issues to do is stroll by the cities and cities I go to, identical to once I was in Latvia in November the place I took tons of Riga photographs. I particularly cherished our stolen moments peeking into residential courtyards.
5) Test Out Chiesa dei Santi Faustino e Giovita
Subsequent up was a go to to the Roman Catholic church, Chiesa dei Santi Faustino e Giovita, full with remarkably intact Baroque frescoes and even an altar which is alleged to assist remedy complications (sure, actually).
6) Go to Piazza Paolo VI
One more reason so that you can go to Brescia? Subsequent up was a cease at Piazza Paolo VI, a sq. previously identified (very similar to the artist Prince) as Piazza del Duomo. Courting again to the Center Ages, this grand sq. is now flanked by quite a few vital buildings comparable to Broletto Palace, the New Cathedral, and the Outdated Cathedral.
We continued our cathedral hopping on the New Cathedral. Building started on this large duomo in 1604 and solely wrapped up two centuries later in 1805. Architectural nuts take be aware, the facade is each baroque and neoclassical, whereas the inside dome is 91 meters, one of many highest in all of Italy.
The Outdated Cathedral, which sits immediately adjoining to the New Cathedral, is commonly missed by vacationers who’re captivated by the church’s fairly gorgeous counterpart. Granted, the Outdated Cathedral isn’t as handsome, nevertheless it’s a website to not be missed. Going by as many names as a fugitive on the run, the historic and fairly spherical church isn’t solely often called the Outdated Cathedral, however Duomo Vecchio, La Rotunda, and Winter Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
This uncommon Romanesque church is assumed to have been constructed someday through the eleventh century. Through the nineteenth century, many additions to the Medieval constructing have been eliminated totally, with solely the medieval Crypt of San Filastrio remaining.
7) Get Your Roman On at Tempio Capitolino
After hitting up three cathedrals in a row, we left the divine behind in favor of the extra hedonistic and battle-hungry Romans. Brescia is house to among the finest preserved Roman relics in all of Italy, the Capitalium, a temple constructed by Emperor Vespasian in 73 A.D, with three cells devoted to the gods Jupiter, Minerva, and Juno. Six of its Corinthian columns nonetheless stand as we speak and is now a preferred place for folks like me to stare at and ponder its historic historical past (yeah, that’s a uncommon picture of me!). It’s additionally a hotspot for teenagers on subject journeys to have their group photographs taken.
Subsequent to the temple, the Capitolium archaeological space extends to an enormous outside theatre. Admission consists of entry to the temple, theatre, and underground areas the place you’ll be able to view some authentic Roman items. Right here I’m (once more!), thoughtfully trying out the Roman’s work.
By far, the very best a part of our museum tour was the self-guided tour we took through an augmented actuality expertise. You get to don a pair of geeky-looking glasses which might be aesthetically flattering to nobody, stroll by the temple and theatre, and see a computer-generated illustration of what the realm appeared like in its days of glory. Know-how at its finest, you’ll be able to really see and really feel what it used to actually be like there.
8) Eat Lunch at Osteria del Savio
Whereas our Brescia go to had been “like, totes wonderful” thus far, my coronary heart and abdomen have been actually simply ready for lunch. It had been two years since my final go to to Italy, the place I hit up locations like Brindisi, Monopoli, and Otranto, so I used to be hungry (pun meant) to expertise genuine Italian meals. I imply you can solely have so many schnitzels and sausages in Germany earlier than it begins to get boring.
Our lunch deal with occurred at Osteria del Savio, a comfy locale simply steps from the Museo di Santa Giulia, the place we have been headed afterward. The antipasto plate had various kinds of meat, cheese, crispy bread, and deep-fried sage chips. I opted for pasta with chestnuts, mushrooms, and herbs. Dessert was a fruity, lactose-free sorbet.
After all, the meal was paired with regional wine and naturally, each single little bit of that meal was like tasting a little bit of heaven. It took lots of willpower to not weep tears of pleasure and beg to be left on the restaurant, whereas our group went on to discover the big museum subsequent door.
9) Turn out to be Arty at Museo di Santa Giulia
It was time to get our artwork and tradition on! Lonely Planet tells us all in regards to the UNESCO website of Museo di Santa Giulia:
The jumbled Monastero di Santa Giulia and Basilica di San Salvatore is Brescia’s single-most intriguing sight. Inside this rambling church and convent complicated, the Museo della Città homes collections that run the gamut from prehistory to the age of Venetian dominance. Highlights embody Roman mosaics and medieval jewels.
We went to not solely see the sprawling museum but additionally take within the Marc Chagall and Dario Fo exhibit the museum is at present internet hosting. Marc Chagall was a Russian-French artist, a modernist, who dabbled in nearly each inventive medium you could possibly consider like portray, stained glass, tapestries, and ceramics. Memorable quotes from him embody:
Solely love pursuits me, and I’m solely in touch with issues that revolve round love.
Swoon! He was a romantic. My kinda dude.
Dario Fo so idolized Chagall, that he created a collection of works in tribute to his hero. The second a part of the exhibit options his boldly coloured work. And since you’ll be able to’t get sufficient of me, right here I’m once more, trying out Fo’s lovely paintings.
The remainder of the museum doesn’t disappoint, just like the Nun’s Choir, a masterpiece of Renaissance artwork. Or different frescoes like this, within the monk’s cloister. There are even moments when you’ll be able to step exterior.
10) See Brescia by Evening
Maybe the very best cause to go to Brescia. As our tour had wrapped up for the day, the group was given free time to go about and discover town. That is the place I went completely overboard taking photographs of Brescia by evening. It was like town seductively stated in a Ryan Gosling-like voice “Hey, woman.” and properly, I used to be performed for in the identical manner I’d be if I met that good-looking Canadian in individual. Brescia is nearly too lovely to be actual.
Fully exhausted, I returned to the lodge to get a couple of zzz’s earlier than dinner.
11) Get pleasure from Dinner at Trattoria Urbana Mangiafuoco
Oh sure! It was that point, time to eat once more at Trattoria Urbana Mangiafuoco. Contemplating our go to to spiritual websites that day, this actually felt like my final supper, because it was my last Italian meal earlier than coming house to Berlin. We have been in for a wine-filled and really carnivorous dinner.
Several types of polenta. My cheese-free pasta full of bacon, tomatoes, olives, and extra was severely one of the tasty dishes I’ve ever had! Not solely was my coronary heart pleased, however my abdomen was too.
Good to Know
1) Ryanair flies from Berlin, on to Bergamo’s Orio al Serio Worldwide Airport, with the flight solely being one hour.
2) You’ll be able to e-book a driver with DeMasi Automobile to take you from Bergamo to Brescia. Contact them for actual costs.
3) Keep at Albergo Orologio Lodge. Rooms common round €90 per evening.
4) Admission to the Capitalium begins at €3 per individual, with the augmented actuality tour being one other €6 per individual.
5) Admission to the Museo di Santa Giulia begins at €10 per individual.
6) Eat at each Osteria del Savio and Trattoria Urbana Mangiafuoco to expertise scrumptious Italian delicacies and drink regional wine.
7) Discover a place to remain in Brescia with reserving.com.
8) Make your time in Brescia particular and go on a guided tour.
9) In case you like all issues Italy, learn a few of our most considered posts.
*Disclosure – My in Brescia was courtesy of Brescia Tourism. Any opinions expressed about my love of Italy and all issues Italian are totally my very own. This publish additionally incorporates some affiliate hyperlinks. In case you e-book a tour or lodge by any of those hyperlinks, I’ll earn a tiny fee at no additional value to you. Thanks on your assist!