THE PERFECT PIZZA...

Obviously Italian food is about a lot more than simply pizza, but truly excellent pizza -- like that found at al-Anbiq -- should be celebrated. They have millions of variations on offer, but the margherita is a thing of beauty.

al-Anbiq, Via Vincenzo Bellini, 12, 20900 Monza

THE SPECIAL TREAT...

You don't have to arrive at the Osteria 1927 Enoteca in a top of the range sportscar straight from the autodromo, but it certainly doesn't hurt the experience. The higgledy-piggledy old building oozes charm, and evenings see the Enoteca filled with Italian families tucking into someseriously good simple food of the sort that the Italians can make look effortless. The risotto Milanese is sublime.

Osteria 1927 Enoteca, Via Pietro Verri 119, 20853 Biassono

THE SIDE TRIP...

Lake Como won't appear on anyone's best kept secrets lists, but it's not such common knowledge that Como and Lago Maggiore both make for easy day trips from Monza -- have a late breakfast, drive up to the lakes for a leisurely lunch, and then walk it off in the afternoon.

Around Monza

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX

On my last trip to Italy, the first thing I saw on leaving the hotel was a group of old men inspecting a Lamborghini parked outside. One of them was singing opera. Italy is a magical country, wherever you go. Around Monza there's the calm of the mountains, the beauty of the lakes, the buzz of Milan... Add the food and the wine and there's nothing not to love.

Italian GP: Event