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| Duomo Milano |
Milan
Airfares are pretty reasonable flying into Milan, as opposed to Rome. By eliminating the train cost from Rome to Milan, not only was it less expensive but it was faster! Once again, I highly recommend a red eye flight. To hit the ground running early in the morning after a medicinally-aided sleep on the plane is the best way to get over the jet lag. Milan is a large city, similar in size to Bordeaux, France. There are many different sections to the city such as the designer fashion district, the shopping areas, the historic areas and they are pretty spread out. Plan for a lot of walking! A quick city train to Cadorna gets you right to the heart of Milan.
Where to Stay:
Grand Hotel et de Milan
http://www.grandhoteletdemilan.it/themes/emotion/eng/index.php
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| The entrance to the Grand Hotel et de Milan |
This hotel is the perfect start to any vacation in Milan or Italy for that matter. The rooms are so welcoming and comfortable with plenty of room to spread out. The staff was so warm and friendly after our long flight that we knew we had chosen to perfect hotel out of the thousands available in Milan. We were upgraded upon arrival and we were so happy with the extra space. The staff is super helpful with recommendations of things to see and places to eat. They provide a local map on which they mark clearly the routes to take and where the hotel is located, making finding our way back so much easier! One of our favorite moments of our stay here was returning to our room and finding an iced bottle of Prosecco, compliments of the hotel, for us to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary!
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| The bedroom |
The room itself was very comfortable and quiet. Two separate closets, a his and hers so to speak, gave us a lot of room to unpack. There were robes, hair dryer, a safe and WiFi that worked very well. The bedding was perfect! Very comfortable with a large selection of pillows from the pillow menu! The only downside was the only mirror in the bedroom was on the table top. I like the ability to dry my hair while someone else is getting ready in the bathroom. I was able to turn the mirrored table top on its side and use that!
The bathroom had two sinks, a large window shelf to store all of our toiletries and a bidet! The window in the bathroom opened into a private courtyard and the sound of the starlings in the morning added a welcome ambiance to the room! |
| The bathroom |
The shower is very typical of many in Europe. It has a small plate of glass to stop some of the water from splashing out. This one worked better than most at keeping the tile floor dry!
Breakfast is included in the room rate and this is by far one of the nicest breakfasts that we have enjoyed. There is a large buffet with meats, cheeses, yogurts, cereals, juices, breads, etc. A nice touch is the special made to order eggs along with the amazing espresso or cappuccino! There is a dining area near the buffet but we chose to enjoy our breakfast out in the glassed atrium area just off the dining room.
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| The breakfast buffet |
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| The lobby bar |
Another wonderful feature is the hotel lobby bar. On a couple of the afternoons, after walking the entire city, we came back to the comfortable couches and enjoyed a Bellini or Rossini! The staff in the bar is very professional and attentive. A perfect way to unwind after a long day and in preparation for a night out!
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| Bellini's |
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| Rossini's |
Where to Eat:
Bice
http://www.bicemilano.it/index2_gb.htm
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| BICE Ristorante |
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| Osso Bucco alla Milanese |
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| Risotto alla Milanese |
Don Lisander
http://www.ristorantedonlisander.it/
We were told about this restaurant from the hotel staff. It was located just down the street from the Grand Hotel et de Milan and not too far from the La Scala Theatre. Since we were both hungry from our overnight travels, we decided this location was perfect. Located off the main street in a quiet, garden setting, this was ideal for lunch. They are also open for dinner and one would imagine with the addition of candlelight, it would be most romantic! The service was the type we have come to really appreciate on our European escapades. Slow, not rushed. After enjoying a glass of Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) we were presented our meals. Honestly, I don't recall exactly what we ordered. I think I had some kind of pasta with sauce as did Gar but the most memorable part was the ambiance! A wonderful intro to this amazing city!
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| The entrance to Don Lisan |
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| Inside Don Lisander |
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| View from our table |
Nabucco
http://www.nabucco.it/pres_i.html
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| Nabucco |
This charming restaurant was another one of our favorites in Milan. Located in the heart of the Brera district, snuggled in between the crowded bars and fortune tellers, this charming place offers both inside and al fresco dining. We opted for the inside dining as like many Italian restaurants, smoking is allowed outside and we preferred the quieter ambiance. The waiters here are professional, friendly, fun, welcoming, inviting and personable. We felt as though we were dining with family rather than at a restaurant. We started with an Italian favorite, melon and prosciutto and an eggplant starter. We could've stopped there. Be warned . . . the portions are extremely large and beg to be shared! I loved my Pasta Carbonara and Gar really enjoyed his Bolognese. The prices are very reasonable and the wine selection is large. Would definitely recommend this place for an authentic Italian meal!
What to do:
Duomo Milano
http://www.duomomilano.it/en/visit-us/
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| Duomo Milano |
This breathtaking cathedral is the second largest cathedral in Italy perhaps the most famous attraction in Milan. It is located in the historic city center and is near La Scala Theater. Tickets may be purchased in advance but we did not find this necessary for our visit in June.
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| Inside the Duomo |
Inside the beautiful cathedral are many well-known monuments and sights.
Among them the statue of a flayed St. Bartholomew by Marco d'Agrate.
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| St Bartholomew |
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| Gargoyles! |
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| Rooftop on the Duomo Milano |
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| The Madonnina |
Definitely worth a visit to in the lovely city of Milan. I would recommend going early morning or late afternoon, but beware there is a last ticket time to the rooftop admission and you may be rushed through so that they may close it punctually!
The Last Supper - Basilica Santa Maria delle Grazie
http://www.milan-museum.com/leonardo-last-supper-cenacolo.php
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| Leonardo's Last Supper |
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| Entrance |
Seeing this famous painting was definitely one of the "Must-Do's" on our ever-growing bucket list! Located in a small basilica, Leonardo DaVinci's Last Supper is arguably one of the most important masterpieces in the world. It is highly recommended that you buy tickets before leaving home. There are many companies that offer the tickets with added-on fees. Search for the best deal or use the link above to purchase tickets for a specific date and time.
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| Basilica Santa Maria delle Grazie |
Castello Sforzesco
http://www.milanocastello.it/
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| Castello Sforzesco |
Built in the 15th century, this castle was one of the largest citadels in all of Europe. It later became a residence for Francisco Sforza and is now a home to rotating museum displays. Walking the grounds is interesting. There are many flora and fauna, as well as roaming the large acreage it is built upon. A small cafe makes a great stop for espresso. Just exploring the stairs, rooms and gardens can take up most of the morning! We found it to be very crowded on the several different times we visited it.
Cemeteri Monumentale
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimitero_Monumentale_di_Milano
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| Entrance to the Cemeteri Monumentale |
Having always had a strange fascination with cemeteries, of course we had to visit one of the two largest in Milan. This cemetery was designed by architect Carlo Maciachini to consolidate many smaller cemeteries found throughout the city into one area. The Cemeteri Monumentale contains a wide range of classical and contemporary sculptures as well as obelisks, Greek temples and original works of art. Many persons of Italian heritage and fame are buried here but this is not the attraction. Each final resting place is unique in what is being displayed. There are family mausoleums and individual plots. There are graves that appear to be a church unto themselves as well as small name plates with photos. There are statues of mourning and statues of celebration and resurrection! Each unique unto itself. Honestly, I could have spent many hours here wandering the quiet lanes, reading the final words or just listening to the birds and breeze but we had a train to catch and I have a husband who puts up with my fascination only to a point! If this sounds like your cup of tea, then by all means, make a trip out to see it but double check the hours first as they are closed on random holidays and hours can vary.
