It was a bit dull when we woke up on Monday morning but it soon brightened up by the time we went for breakfast on the outside terrace of the hotel. It was buffet style so we could choose from cold meats, cheeses, bread, yogurt, cereal, juices and hot beverages.

We walked into the city at 10am and it was eerily quiet compared to yesterday. There weren’t even any crowds around the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, just off Piazza Vecchia. Our first stop was the basilica and it cost €5 each to get in. I had prepared for this, by wearing a long skirt. I had a vest top on, which isn’t allowed, but I had a scarf wrap to cover myself up whilst inside. There was also a sign requesting no photography, but I saw a few people being discrete about it so I did the same. I even saw two nuns having a selfie together!! There was some internal restoration going on inside this stunning building so we couldn’t go in some parts.

https://www.fondazionemia.it/it/basilica

Once we’d left the basilica, we went back to the hotel to change into some less restrictive clothing so we could enjoy the rest of the day. The temperature was already hitting late 20s, and it was very muggy, so I needed to put my shorts back on.

Our next activity involved going up to the San Vigilio Castle, something recommended to us by the hotel receptionist. The easiest way to get up is using the San Vigilio Funicular. The service runs very regularly so it was easy access. There are different tickets that can be bought: we bought a day pass that cost €4. It can be used on buses and trams too.

We had to help some Americans buy their tickets and we were on our way. The journey takes just over 2 minutes from start to finish. When we reached the top, we saw some pretty amazing views of the Città Bassa (lower tier of Bergamo), as well as the Città Alta, which includes the historic district that we have been staying and explored.

https://www.visitbergamo.net/en/object-details/3369-funicolare-s–vigilio/

Some of the best views were from San Vigilio Restaurant and Pizzeria. Luckily we arrived when it was very quiet so had a great window table looking towards the Bergamo Alps.

https://www.ristorantepizzeriasanvigilio.it/en/

When we’d finished the most amazing pizza (JC got his anchovy fix), we visited the San Vigilio Castle. Here we saw the remains of an ancient stone castle that has hidden underground tunnels and amazing views over the town.

https://www.visitbergamo.net/en/object-details/20-s–vigilio-castle/

It was less busy getting the funicular back down to Sant’ Alessandro Gate so we could walk back into Città Alta. We browsed round a few shops and bought fridge magnets and other bits and bobs. Shopping is obviously thirsty work so we also had an obligatory Italian wine at one of the bars close by.

We walked round some other side streets taking in some more of the architecture before stopping for refreshments at Lalimentari. We really enjoyed our time there so booked a table for later on that evening before heading back to the hotel again.

The air conditioning was really welcome after walking around in a hot, muggy Bergamo. Once we’d showered and rested in the cool hotel room, it was back out again to Lalimentari. Having been there before I knew exactly what I wanted: it was their homemade lasagne. The waiting staff really looked after us and we both had an amazing meal. We also had to try the homemade tiramisu which is probably the best I’ve ever had.

https://lalimentari.it

Being quite sensible, we stopped off for one last cocktail before calling it a night. We are now more than halfway into our trip. Tuesday brings another destination, Riva del Garda, at Lago Di Garda.