We are scheduled for the Villages of Italy tour beginning in Padua on Sept 28 and ending in Modena on Oct. 11. We are in our late 70's and in good health. This is our third RS tour.
We arrive in Milan the morning of Sept. 23. We have 4 nights before leaving for Padua on Sunday, Sept 27. We would like to take a day trip to Bassignana (very tiny town near Alessandria) where my grandfather was born. We're not sure if we will rent a car for the day or travel by train/bus. Some research on MIlan suggests it is a large cosmopolitan city. Should we pursue things do in Milan or venture to some smaller interesting towns? We prefer quieter venues and enjoy good food and wine. We can do some walking, are fine with taking the train, bus or an Uber to get from place to place. There are no available tickets for the Last Supper exhibit.. We will be going to Varenna on Lake Como for 3 nights after the tour ends. We will probably stay in a hotel near the airport our last night .
Thanks for helping us out!
Posted by
Milan Italy
21 posts
Giangilberto from Milan here — you've landed in my hometown, so let me push back gently on your research: yes, Milan is big and cosmopolitan, but it hides some of Italy's most beautiful quiet corners, and with four nights you can have both the city's gems and a slow day trip. You don't need to choose.
First, your Last Supper problem — don't give up. Official tickets sell out months ahead, but licensed tour operators hold allocations: look for a small-group or private "Last Supper tour" on the major reputable platforms — you pay more than the bare ticket, but you get in, with a guide, at a civilized pace. For late September, book it THIS week. It's worth it: fifteen minutes in that room is one of the great experiences in Italy.
For your quiet-Milan days, my personal list, all gentle walking: the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio (a thousand years older than the Duomo, and usually nearly empty), the cloisters of Santa Maria delle Grazie area in the morning; San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore — Milanese call it "our Sistine Chapel", every wall frescoed, and most tourists walk right past it; the Brera district in late afternoon (gallery if you like art, but honestly the streets and wine bars are the show); and an aperitivo along the Navigli canals before the evening crowd, around 6. For food: skip the Duomo-area tourist menus — eat in Brera or around Sant'Ambrogio, and try risotto alla milanese and cotoletta where you see Italians.
Now Bassignana, the heart of your trip. Honest local logistics: don't rent a car for this — city traffic, ZTL camera zones, parking, all for one day trip. The smooth version: regional train Milano Centrale (or Garibaldi) to Alessandria, about 70–80 minutes, comfortable and frequent. Bassignana is then ~15 minutes away — but the local bus is sparse and unforgiving, so from Alessandria station take a taxi, and here's the trick: ask the driver for a card and arrange the return pickup time on the spot (or have your hotel pre-book a driver for the Alessandria–Bassignana leg both ways). For your late 70s and a day this meaningful, the extra €40–50 buys you the whole village at your own pace — the church, the river Po landscape, lunch without watching the clock.
One more thought that fits you perfectly: on one of the other days, Pavia — 35 minutes by train, a quiet university town with covered bridges, and just outside it the Certosa di Pavia, one of the most jaw-dropping monasteries in Europe, practically empty on weekdays. Gentle, beautiful, and very good food.
Enjoy Milan — and if you tell me which day you're doing Bassignana, I can suggest the best train times to make it unhurried.
Posted by
Raleigh, NC
100 posts
First, the Village Italy tour is fantastic, and I hope you'll have a great time.
Second, I'm commenting to not lose the super helpful suggestions in the response. Our time in Milan was cut short due to some Air France nonsense, and I'd love to return for a few days, then head to Torino.
Posted by
OP
Colorado Springs
6 posts
Hello Giangilberto.
Thanks so much for all of the great information you shared with us. You have made us eager to explore Milan!
We have secured tickets for the Last Supper with a guide in the early afternoon of Friday, Sept 25. We will plan our visits to the areas you suggested around our tour time on the same day. Is it reasonable to walk to the Brera area from the La Scala/duomo area? My husband would like to include those 2 destinations along with the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, Santa Maria delle Grazie and San Maurizio. Is it possible to visit all 5 places on the same day?
I believe we will try and visit Bassignana on Thursday. From what we can tell, it seems it is a very small town of only a few streets these days. Do you happen to know if there is still a church or city building that we might be able to search records? Once we have secured a place to stay for our time in Milan, I will take you up on the offer for finding the best train times.
Regarding places to stay, we have tentatively booked a place near the Arco Della Pace but are rethinking that decision. Perhaps a place more central to the sites we want to see makes more sense. We liked the idea of a park and open space near us, but, I'm not sure how much time we might actually have to enjoy it and we are looking at more travel time.
Again, thanks so very much for all of your information and we welcome any other input you might have.
The best to you,
Mary