Besides the lakes and Milan, Lombardia is home to Bergamo, a booming economic town known for manufacturing and metalwork. Elegant tree lined streets and fine shops surround a beautiful Piazza Vecchia ~ right out of a fairy tale. The cheerful city of Cremona is world renowned for its stringed instrument makers and restorers. During the 16th and 18th centuries, the most famous violinmakers of all time, Antonio Stradivari, Guiseppe Guarneri and Nicolo and Andrea Amati lived in Cremona and practiced their craft. The fertile Po valley is known for cultivating rice. You will see fields of bright green that stretch to the horizon. Three varieties, Arborio, Carnaroli and Vialone, are shipped throughout the world as the main ingredient in that famous Lombardia staple served in every household, RISOTTO.