Bergamo, most especially during the week (weekends can get busy, mostly with Italian tourists so it feels like vibrant and bustling), is a quaint and sophisticated town that at makes you feel as if it has stopped in time. Paola created a special place by sharing her love for Bergamo - places to visit, how to travel (bus, funicular, tickets etc), best restaurant and aperitivo bars, walking trails, as well as introducing me to wonderful Italian traditions (ask about the pistachio cream!). If you ever walk down the street with Paola, she is constantly greeted by many other locals in Bergamo, much loved in the city.
But at the same time, your privacy and space was respected at all times.
Her home is unbelievably clean and comfortable. The special surprise and wonderful privilege is to stay in a property/ bedroom from the 14thC. It made my heart melt every morning to be woken by the bells from the piazza and to stare at the walls of 14thC frescoes.
If you’re staying for more than a few days, be mindful of day trips out of Bergamo such the lakes of Como ‘Varenna’ and ‘Bellagio’ which both can be very easily reached in one day (only 2 relatively short trains from Bergamo).
(Airport, trains and bus stations all have routes very easily connected - try to have loose change on you to buy tickets approx. €1.30)
Mille mille mille Grazie Paola! I will be sure to return to Bergamo again!