Experience the best of Castelletto di Branduzzo

Castelletto di Branduzzo is a small village on the flat ground south of the River Po, in the part of Pavia province known as the Oltrepò Pavese. Flat farmland surrounds it, and the roads between neighbouring villages run straight across the plain. Milan lies to the north, and Voghera, the area's market town, is a short way south-west.

The Oltrepò hills begin some kilometres to the south, with vineyards, castles and small hill towns. Pavia, with its ancient university and Visconti castle, is a short drive north, and the Certosa di Pavia monastery lies beyond it. The Po and the Ticino rivers give flat routes for cycling and walking, and in winter the whole plain is often wrapped in fog.

The hills form one of Lombardy's main wine areas, known for Bonarda and Buttafuoco reds and for Pinot Noir, and Varzi is known for its cured salami. Cooking on the plain is rich and slow: risotto, braised meats and cotechino through the colder months. Summers are warm and heavy, and the vineyards are busiest at the autumn harvest.