One of the most beautiful cities in the world is
Milan. This holiday
destination has a love affair with luxury, from the finest houses of design and
fine dining. The place though remains in touch with its past and never loses its
charm.
What to see
Here are some of the best destinations in Milan:
Duomo cathedral – The Duomo took about six centuries to finish. It was
synonymous to an impossible task during its time. We should be thankful though
that the builders pushed on putting the white and pink marbles together
incorporating about 3,200 statues, 135 spires, and about 146 sets of stained
glass for its windows.
Teatro all Scala – Milan is the home of the opera. It is fitting therefore to
see the most renowned opera house in the world here, the Teatro alla Scala. The
most famous opera singers have performed here to the amazement of the six-storey
high galleries. The opera season usually start on the first week of
December.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II – These are nineteenth century arcades that
bridge the Teatro alla Scala and the Duomo. It houses classy boutiques that sell
paintings and designer clothes.
The Last Supper – Your journey to Milan is not complete without seeing one of
the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci. You can find the Last Supper at the Santa
Maria dell Grazie church.
Parco Sempione – This is the best park in Milan. It has a steel tower known
as the Torre Branca and an aquarium. There is also the Palazzo dell’Arte that
hosts the best of Italian designs.
Where to dine
The nightly servings of beer or wine comes with a ton of choices to accompany
them down your tummy, from seafood, cured meats, bruschetta, or antipasti. If
this suits your taste, head to 10 Corso Como for a good selection of food and
and a nice courtyard ambiance.
A tavern called Trattoria Abele la Temperanza is a haven for those who are
craving for a serving of risotto. Here, you will have a hundred variations to
choose from. If you are not sure what to order, just ask for the "three rices",
a combo of rissottos.
Try authentic Milan flavors at Peck, which has been in business since 1883.
It started as a deli and now has evolved to have a dining room and a wine bar.
They have a wide variety of cheeses, chocolates, gelato, pralines, seafood,
pates, and meats.
If your taste buds are looking for some gnocchi and home-made pasta, head to
Osteria della Lanterna. You will be introduced to the dishes by the owner-cook
using the native Milanese dialect.
Where to stay
Travelers to Milan who are looking for great value can find a non-flashy but
comfortable accommodation at Hotel Casa Mia. It is located near the Piazza della
Repubblica. The rooms here does not offer luxurious amenities but very homely.
You can book a room for a night starting at 50 quids.
Among Milan's first art hotels, the Hotel Spadari Design offers rooms that
actually double as an art gallery. The hotel plays host to the works of emerging
local artists. The guestrooms start at 190 quids a night.
The bed and breakfast called Vietnamonamour has several rooms atop its great
restaurant. The tone is set by the Vietnamese interiors and the old timber
floors. The location is also nice since its just a few hops from the Piola train
station. Rooms start at 80 quids.
Foresteria Monforte is a smart and classy guesthouse with wardrobe wallpapers
bearing the Gucci branding. The rooms have antique furniture and have unique
design elements. It is roughly twenty minutes away from the Duomo.
Going around
Your best way around Milan is by taking the Metro. You can buy urban tickets
that will be accepted on the Metro's urban network. There are also intercity
tickets for long distance journeys on the metroline, special tickets for the
urban and intercity network, and tickets for tourists that basically give you
access to public transport of Milan.
When to visit
The weather between July and August will require air-conditioning in the
hotel but around September, the weather is still warm but bearable. The winters
are not harsh plus a holiday in December will give you a chance to catch the
opening of the opera.