Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of writing as restoration work progresses to restore them to their original glory, although
the Casinò was partially (and briefly) opened for summer crowds in 2013 - whether that's
a precursor to more extensive opening hours remains to be seen.
Eating
BERGAMESE
€€
Cà Bigio
( 0345 2 10 58;
www.bigio.info
; Via Papa Giovanni XXIII 60, San Pellegrino Terme; meals €35-40;
noon-2.30pm & 6.30-9.30pm)
The Bigio family invented the archetypal Bergamese dessert,
polenta e osei
(cakes filled with jam and cream, topped with sweet polenta and chocolate
birds). At their restaurant, though, it's the savouries that will win you over. Grab a table at
the back for views up through the garden to the Casinò Municipale and order their tasting
menu (€46) for a true taste of the mountains.
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Cornello dei Tasso
Eight kilometres north of San Pellegrino Terme, Cornello dei Tasso (signposted off the S)
is a compact time warp, a golden stone medieval hamlet high above the Brembo river that
seems to have stood still, unconcerned by the passing of the centuries. You can park down
near the main road and climb a pretty path (with great valley views). The heavy stone
houses seem to huddle together, and the main lane is shielded from the elements by a
series of protective vaults.
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Northern Valle Brembana
From Cornello dei Tasso, the valley road proceeds north and splits deltalike into a series
of valleys, some of which culminate in small winter ski towns, such as
Foppolo
, in the
Orobie Alps. Hikers should note
Branzi
and
Carona
, which can make bases for walks up to a
series of glacial lakes. Scenic-drive enthusiasts might opt for a different route, a minor
road linking the Valle Brembana with the Valle Seriana via the villages of
Dossena
and
Oltre
il Colle
. Territory ranges from dense forest to some fine open views north to the Orobie
mountains from around Oltre il Colle.
