Castello Dal Verme, Zavattarello

A powerful medieval castle on a hilltop above the village of Zavattarello, one of the 'most beautiful villages in Italy', in the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese, the southern tip of Lombardy. Its walls are up to 4 m thick, and it now houses a museum of contemporary art. The village below has stone lanes and wide views over the green Appennine valleys.

The Oltrepò Pavese is Lombardy's biggest wine region, known for its sparkling wines (Metodo Classico from Pinot Noir), Bonarda and Buttafuoco, with many small family wineries (cantine) and trattorias. Visit in late August and September to see the grape harvest. Varzi, nearby, is famous for its salami.