An Italian summer is what dreams are made of. If this is the year of your dream, then we have the perfect travel guide for you inspired by Luca Guadagnino's visual masterpiece Call Me By Your Name. Shot throughout stunning locations across Italy, the film explores the delicate intensity of first love and self-realisation. This tender queer love story with the backdrop of striking Lombard locales captured the attention of many international audiences.
Crema, Lombardy
Although initially, the director was tight-lipped about giving away the exact filming locations, most of the film was shot in the town of Crema in northern Italy, which is an hour from Milan. Now Crema is an aesthetic wonder with high-walled streets and 14th-century cathedrals standing tall over the town square and local markets. The Piazza del Duomo sits at the heart of the city, which is the columned square encircled by terraced houses where Elio and Oliver ride their bikes and sit in front of a cathedral.
Villa Albergoni
The Villa Albergoni, or the Perlman villa, is located in Moscazzano, a village eight kilometres south of Crema. This 16th-century building sprawls across 15,000-square-foot and is set inside five acres of lush gardens. This mansion houses an opulent staircase, frescoed ceilings and the salon where Elio is seen sitting at a grand piano, writing music. Even though it is a privately owned property now and not open to visitors, Moscazzano is a beautiful place well deserving of a trip.
Sirmione, Lake Garda
Elio and Oliver accompany the former's father on one of his archaeological expeditions to Sirmione, and in the waters of Lake Garda, they discover a bronze Roman statue. When you're in Sirmione, make sure to take a trip to Jamaica Beach or the Spiaggia Giamaica for an end-of-the-day dip in the cool waters. Add a visit to the ruins of the Grottoes of Catullus, which are steeped in history dating back to the first century BC.
Bergamo, Lombardy
Bergamo, some 50 kilometres outside of Crema, is where the loved-up duo find themselves at the close of the summer. The cobbled alleyways and the Piazza Padre Reginaldo Giuliani are some of the places where you could retrace their steps as was in the film.
The Serio Falls, Vallbondione
Italy's tallest waterfall, The Serio Falls, also known as Cascate del Serio, stand at 315 metres. This was where the scene with Elio and Oliver running towards the waterfall was shot. Surrounded by lush greenery and rugged cliffs, the falls offer a serene and picturesque setting for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Spring is an ideal time to visit as the melting snow enhances the volume and intensity of the water.