Street patterns and square sizes that date back to when Brixia (now Brescia) was a Roman settlement are still visible today. You’ll be walking on top of Roman ruins pretty much the whole time, and many modern buildings were built on top of or around Roman ruins.

The Capitolium is a pair of well-preserved Roman temples in the heart of Brescia; one was constructed atop the other. From the first century BC onward, roughly 509 years, this was the heart of the Forum. The earliest part of the complex is buried, but there are striking parallels to chambers discovered in Pompeii. This suggests that the architects and craftspeople here were following contemporary trends.

The Roman theater in Brescia is nearly as old as the Capitolium, and it is located just next to it. Even while excavation is still on, the theater’s massive size is clear: it was likely able to seat 15,000 people, making it one of the largest in northern Italy. The excavations are expected to be completed within the next five years, at which point live performances will once again be staged at the theater.

Brescia also has a wealth of resources for studying Roman imperial home life. The gardens of the Santa Giulia Museum have recently yielded the discovery of Roman villas complete with mosaics and frescoes. Some are now on display, while others are still hidden beneath the museum’s greenery. The new UNESCO Corridor connects all of these parks and is open to the public at no cost.

Brescia is home to numerous ancient hotels and bed and breakfasts, but if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, look no farther than Centro Paolo VI.

This magnificent Baroque structure was first a private dwelling, then a convent, and is currently a hotel and event space maintained by a non-profit organization.

At about €75 for a double with an en suite, the hotel’s plainly furnished rooms are a steal. Guests also enjoy free reign of the majestic Catholic chapel, grand staircase, porticoes, and courtyard gardens.

Brescia’s restaurants use the best of what Lombardy has to offer, and their menus reflect this. The main square is surrounded by many eateries, which pour out onto the neighboring pedestrian streets from the surrounding ancient buildings. This is the pinnacle of summertime outdoor dining. Start off slowly with some cold cuts and cheeses, move on to some homemade pasta and maybe some fish or meat, and save space for dessert.

Oste Sobrio’s (Via Beccaria 6) butter-soaked tagliatelle with shaved truffle and cracked black pepper will remain one of my all-time favorite pasta dishes.

Keep in mind that Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest dining times of the week, and plan accordingly. If you can’t obtain a reservation, try some of the delicious street cuisine in Brescia.

Brescia’s convenient location means that you may travel about the region with ease using either public transportation or a rented automobile. Lake Garda is stunningly lovely year-round, although it can get congested in the summer, so it’s best to go then or in the shoulder seasons.

Less people visit the northern end of the lake, so you may enjoy driving along the beautiful roads at the base of the Dolomites and maybe even see some alpine animals like chamois.