FORESTERIA LOMBARDA BED and BIKE CREMONA

A fairy-tale setting for a property of almost castle-like aspect, originally built as a customs post on the River Po in the fourteenth century. Today Massimo Spigaroli, whose family were once sharecroppers on the surrounding land, is its owner and has transformed the complex into a complete destination: guest rooms, the Hosteria del Maiale bistrot and spaces for private events. Completing the experience are a visit to the Museo del Culatello and a ‘gastrofluvial’ cuisine deeply bound to the traditions of the local area. Among the historic dishes, the frogs’ legs stand out, golden with sweet ga

Having successfully been in business for over 40 years, this restaurant continues to shine for its top-quality traditional cuisine, priding itself, as it has always done, on its love for local specialities. Goose dishes take centre stage on the menu (the area is famous for its goose), alongside an excellent selection of traditional boiled meats all of which are sourced locally. There’s also a good choice of wine, which is skilfully displayed and served from a trolley in the dining room from which wines are served by the glass.

When you dine at Leon D’Oro, you feel as though you’re visiting old friends thanks to the attractive, rustic-style atmosphere, with two elegant dining rooms and a welcoming garden for summer evenings. The cuisine is regional yet also includes fish and seafood, with traditional recipes featuring alongside more modern and creative fare on the menu. There are two tasting options, both dedicated to the sea and water, while the extensive à la carte includes superb delicacies such as marubini pasta with a Marsala reduction and parmesan cheese, and sturgeon au gratin with a Mediterranean battuto, mil

On the outskirts of Lodi, yet already in a green and almost rural setting, the interior of this farmhouse creates an atmosphere of considerable refinement, with a series of elegantly appointed dining rooms in which an elaborate and creative cuisine is served. The wine accompaniment is not to be overlooked, not only for the quality of the selection, but also for the opportunity to purchase bottles directly from the wine list.

Three-starred since 1996 – a record in Italy – and approaching its centenary, this restaurant is an unmissable landmark for understanding the history of Italian gastronomy. In Runate, a small hamlet in the countryside between Cremona and Mantua, a family osteria of long standing has been transformed into a place of rare elegance and genuine hospitality. In the dining room, Antonio Santini, flanked by his family, welcomes guests with warmth, while in the kitchen a tradition of rigour, sensitivity and continuity is lovingly perpetuated. The interiors, balanced between memory and contemporaneity,

The menu is a journey through flavours that weave the traditions of Piacenza together with influences from other Italian regions. One of the highlights is their take on a Ligurian dish: Cappon magro di fiume, which combines sturgeon and trout with seasonal vegetables and salsa verde, creating fresh and lively contrasts. But the dish that won us over today is the charcoal-grilled pigeon: juicy meat, velvety liver pâté, a rich gravy and vegetables from the garden, in a perfect balance between technique and taste. The experience doesn't stop here: the wine list offers a wealth of rare and intrigu

Still on the plain, yet already at the foot of the hills that can be glimpsed on the horizon, what from the outside presents itself as a typical country house surprises within with an elegant dining room that opens into a sort of veranda overlooking the garden and the greenery of the lower Piacenza countryside. The atmosphere is relaxed and most agreeable, ideally suited to a refined yet never formal lunch or dinner. The menu features references to local ingredients and recipes, alongside the excellent focaccia with ciccioli served among the bread course, a true speciality of the house. The co