Where do you want to go? Loading   Lombardy, Italy Bordering the Swiss Alps in Northern Italy, Lombardy is the richest and the most populous of the country's 20 regional  districts. The regions capital, Milan, is the second-most visited city  in Italy. Home to Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper, and  the La Scala opera house, Milan is also one of the fashion capitals of the world, headquarters for  designers such as Versace, Prada and Armani. The scenic Lombardy lake  district also lies in the region. Lombardy was first settled  4,000 years ago -ceramics, axes and arrows from the era can be viewed  at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology  Museum in Milan. The Roman Empire extended into the area from the 3rd  century onwards, and the area that is now Lombardy became a Roman  province in 194 B.C. A series of tribal invasions followed the fall of  the empire. The last of the tribes, the Lombards, gave the region its  current name. For tourists, the primary must-see  attraction of the entire Lombardy region is Leonardo’s depiction of the  last supper of Christ. Located within the Church of Santa Maria delle  Grazie in Milan, The Last Supper is not a true fresco, having been  painted on a dry wall rather than on wet plaster. Because of the methods Leonardo chose to seal the painting, it began to deteriorate 6 years  after its completion in 1498. A 21-year restoration project, finished in 1999, revealed faint, but still vibrant colors. The painting captures  the moment after Jesus announced that one of the twelve apostles seated  around him would betray him. The Last Supper manages to convey the  personal reaction of each apostle with a depth not seen in other  interpretations of the subject. Reservations to view the painting are  mandatory. Only 25 visitors are allowed in the room for 15 minutes at a  time. Also in Milan is the La Scala Opera House and Museum.  Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly had its world premiere in La Scala,  as did both Falstaff and Othello, by Giuseppe Verdi. The world’ finest  singers have graced the stage at La Scala for the last 200 years. The La Scala Theatre Museum is connected to the opera house, and features  artifacts relating to the history of the theatre, such as Toscanini's  baton and Verd’s top hat. From the museum, visitors can glimpse the  grand stage of the theater, which is as large as the ground-floor  seating area. The scenic Lombard lakes of Italy's alpine mountains are a popular tourist destination. Lake Como is among the most visited. Lake Como has remained virtually unchanged  since Roman aristocracy built their villas along the shoreline in the  19th century. Deep blue water reflects the snowcapped alpine mountains.  Steep lanes rise from the harbor, leading to picturesque squares,  five-star hotels and posh shops. Ferries give tours around the lake -perhaps providing a glimpse of the home of Como’s famous resident, actor George Clooney. Lombardy, Italy By City Bergamo Brescia Cantu Como Crema Cremona Desanzano del Garda Gallarate Lecco Legnano Lodi Mantua Meda Milan Monza Pavia Pieve Varese Vigevano Voghera   Lake Como Region, Lombardy, Italy By City Abbadia Lariana Argegno Bellagio Bellano Brienno Cadenabbia Carano Colico Cernobbio Como Dervio Domaso Gravedona Griante Isola Comacina Laglio Lecco Lenno Lierna Mandela Menaggio Mezzegra Moltrasio Nesso Onno Ossuccio Piona San Siro Torno Tremezzo Varenna Vassena

BECOME A FAN OF BEACHCOMBER PETE

Who in the World is Checking out ? Beachcomber Pete