Varese is a province in the Lombardy region of Italy between the Po Valley and the foot of the Alps on the international border with Switzerland.

Map of Varese (province)

• 45.8166678.8333331 Varese – a place of pilgrimage and tourism that has 13 17th-century chapels
• 45.6119588.85182 Busto Arsizio – known for its Museum of Textiles and Industry
• 45.6442818.7724813 Cardano al Campo – part of the natural area of the Parco naturale lombardo della Valle del Ticino and includes wooded areas with cycling trails
• 45.66498.79144 Gallarate – has several worthwhile museums and churches
• 45.858.7166675 Gavirate – visit the pipe museum, which has 30,000 pipes, tools, machinery, paper volumes, porcelain and terracotta
• 45.6405569.0019446 Gerenzano – can be a good base just outside chaotic Milan, especially if you're arriving at Malpensa and Linate airports
• 468.757 Luino – a typical Lombard historical centre, with a weekly Wednesday market that began in 1541
• 45.908888.620368 Laveno – Poggio Sant'Elsa, reachable by the "Sasso del ferro" cable car, is a mountain facing Lake Maggiore with a panoramic view of the lake
• 45.88.8833339 Malnate – offers steam train trips on a restored railway through a wooded area
• 45.62559.03710 Saronno – known worldwide for Disaronno (Amaretto di Saronno), the almond-flavoured liqueur
• 45.6833338.711 Somma Lombardo – has a Museum of Flight
• 45.78.91666712 Tradate – home to the biggest museum in the world about petrol/gas stations, with a collection of old gas pumps and more than 6000 related objects

• 46.058.7333331 Maccagno – a cliff that is used for rock climbing activities
• 45.98.92 Porto Ceresio – a charming town on Lake Lugano, located in the short stretch of Italian territory, it overlooks the waters of Lake Ceresio with its ancient centre and beautiful lakeside promenade

The province has four urban centres: Busto Arsizio (83,000 inhabitants) is more populous than the provincial capital Varese (78,000); equally important are the cities of Gallarate (52,000) and Saronno (38,000).

Italian and Lombard

The Sacro Monte is certainly the most popular tourist and pilgrimage destination in Varese (city); also noteworthy is the Palazzo Farnese with its spectacular gardens: two destinations that fit well with the definition City of Gardens that accompanies Varese. The tourist development of the city began in the 18th century, and continued until the 20th century, attracting nobles and wealthy families from the Milan area, who dot the slopes surrounding Varese with their climatic holiday villas that still characterize the surroundings.

In Castiglione Olona, Branda Castiglioni Palace, Garibaldi Square, has a 14th-century part that is flanked by a 15th-century structure. Its rooms preserve frescoes by Masolino da Panicale and Lorenzo Vecchietta, as well as 16th-century furnishings. The Church of the Most Holy Body of Christ (Church of Villa) dates back to the first half of the 15th century. It has a square plan, and recalls Brunelleschi's inspiration, especially in the dome. The Collegiate church displays precious frescoes of the Tuscan school and a cycle of stories of Mary by Masolino da Panicale. The Baptistery, near the Collegiate Church, was created from a tower of the ancient Castle. It was frescoed by Masolino da Panicale; its cycle with scenes from the life of San Giovanni is of great value.

Gavirate, on Lake Varese, enjoys beautiful views of the mountains that surround it. The practice of rowing has produced a good sports school in this competitive specialty in Gavirate. The small historic centre is of some interest, as is that of the hamlet of Voltorre which preserves a cloister of medieval origin.

In a beautiful position on Lake Lugano, near the Swiss border, Porto Ceresio benefits from border tourism and is one of the main tourist centers on the lake. The Cadorna Line, trenches dug during the war, which were not involved in clashes during the two world wars, is preserved on the mountains around the town. The open-air and covered walkways are quite easily accessible, and you can enter the underground trenches and shelters (bring flashlights). The Cadorna Line route leads to the summit of Mount Grumello, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Lugano.

The geographical location offers various opportunities for leisure activities ranging from skiing in the Italian and Swiss Alps in the winter, to sunbathing, rafting, canoeing, surfing and sailing at the lake in the summer. Mountain hiking and cycling are very popular sports.

There are local cheeses made from goat's milk and local meat dishes, and there are freshwater fish caught in the many lakes. Other local products are a local variety of asparagus, chestnuts, berries and honey, and grapes grown locally are made into traditional red and white wines.

Common in the whole Insubria area is bruscitti (lit. 'crumbs') an Italian single-course meal of the Lombard, Piedmontese, and Ticinese cuisines based on finely chopped beef cooked for a long time. It is a typical winter dish and is served with polenta, purée or risotto alla milanese. Bruscitti began in Busto Arsizio. Bruscitti is widespread in northwestern Lombardy (Italy), northeastern Piedmont (Italy), and lower Ticino (Switzerland). The dish probably originated in the Middle Ages. Based on finely chopped beef and cooked for a long time (from 2 to 4 hours) on a low flame, the other ingredients of the dish are butter, garlic, fennel seeds, and lard or pancetta. At the end of cooking, it is blended with well-structured red wines such as Barbera, Barolo or Nebbiolo.