Itineraries
Romanesque churches
Carimate and the Hotel Montesole are the ideal base for a tour of Romanesque architecture in the area of Brianza. Begin your itinerary at Vertemate, just 7 km from the Hotel Montesole, with the Abbazia di San Giovanni. Immersed in lush vegetation, the abbey was founded in the 11th century by the Cluniac Benedictine monks, and conserves superb 14th century frescoes. Turning towards Cantù, just 2 km from the Hotel Montesole, are the churches of San Teodoro, San Paolo and Sant'Antonio. All are of Romanesque origin, although subsequently largely modified. The Church of San Vincenzo and Baptistery of San Giovanni are located on the outskirts of Cantù, on the hilltop of Galliano. Together, they form one of the most significant Romanesque complexes in Italy and indeed in Europe. Built around the year 1000, this architectural structure was embellished with enchantingly beautiful, splendid frescoes.
Buco del Piombo
The only Karst cave in the region of Lombardy, the Buco del Piombo is an enormous Jurassic cavern dating back 130 million years. The entrance to the cave is truly impressive: 38 meters wide and 45 meters high, it leads to the 400 meter long cavern, whose recesses have not as yet been fully explored. Its broad naturalistic, archaeological and historic appeal (the grotto also displays ancient defense systems from when populations sought refuge there during the Middle Ages) attracts thousands of visitors every year. The site is located at Albavilla, 20 km from the Hotel Montesole in Carimate.
Parks
Running streams, woods and gently flowing hills make up the landscape of Brianza, which is interspersed by numerous towns and production activities, yet wisely protected by natural parks of great interest. Carimate and the Hotel Montesole are situated in the area of the Parco della Brughiera Briantea, whose trails can be negotiated on foot or bicycle, passing through forests of pine trees, oaks and elms. Just a short drive from Carimate is Appiano Gentile (19 km), the entry point into the Parco Pineta, an authentic forest with trails set up by the park authorities, which trekkers can traverse on mountain bike or horseback.
Lake Como
Located just 14 km from the Hotel Montesole, Como is an absolute must see destination. Como's historic center offers tourists artistic sites of rare beauty: from the Medieval Broletto to its Baroque Duomo, the panoramic lakefront and rationalist architecture of the 1930s. Cruises on Lake Como provide a great view of the splendid villas and charming towns along the shores of the lake. Cernobbio with Villa Erba and Villa d’Este, Torno with the church of San Giovanni, the island of Comacina and Lenno with Villa del Balbianello, Tremezzo with Villa Carlotta, Bellagio with Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni, and Varenna (Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero) are just some of the wonderful sites to be enjoyed on Lake Como.