First trip to Milan.

Barbara,

I'd suggest checking the Guidebook for hotel and restaurant listings. One that you could look at is Hotel London, which I believe is not too far from La Scala.

One restaurant I enjoyed in Milan was Le Briciole. Note that there's another restaurant with a very similar name, and I haven't tried that one.

For sightseeing in Milan, a few thoughts.....

• The magnificent Duomo. I'd suggest taking the trip to the roof as the architecture is very distinctive.
• Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele (a large indoor mall right next to the Duomo)
• Sforza Castle
• You could also consider a day trip to beautiful Varenna on Lago di Como, as it's only an hour each way from Milan.
• If you want to do some shopping, you could browse the La Rinascente stores, which are also very close to the Duomo. Lots of posh stores and as I recall there's a huge food court on the top floor.
• The Last Supper (reservations required)

Although RS somewhat dismisses Milan, I really enjoy it. It feels more Northern European than Italian to me, and it has good public transportation, which makes it easier for me to enjoy a city.

Milan has some wonderful museums – the Brera and Ambrosiana are my favorites. The library in the latter is beautiful. I've never made it to the Sforza Castle (mangled that spelling), although it sounds interesting.

When you visit the Duomo, do plan on enjoying the views (and gargoyles) from the roof; the excavations of the 4th C basilica are also interesting. And since Milan was an important early center of Christianity, it has several well preserved churches founded by St. Ambrose in the 4th C – 3 or 4 churches, depending on what expert you read.

Finally, although I'm not much of a shopper, friends of mine have really enjoyed that aspect of the city.

I would recommend 2 hotels that I have used - both are very close to the Central Train station and the metro.
Hotel Berna
Hotel Garda

Several folks on this forum have recommended both of these hotels.

Sleeping: Hotel Berna or Garda, basically across the street from each other, a couple of blocks from the Stazione Centrale. Great restaurant a few blocks from either hotel: Settembrini 18 at Via Settembrini 18.

Wandering around on the roof of the duomo was a highlight of our time in Milan. We also enjoyed having lunch outside on the big pedestrian-only Via Dante. The people-watching was amazing - one fashion plate after another, even down to the teenage guys.

I found the museum at La Scala interesting and loved seeing The Last Supper. I stayed at the Hotel Gran Duca di York and found it to be a great location, could walk anywhere.

Hi,
Not sure when you are going, but I just booked a rental car for 2 weeks (out of Venice and drop off in Rome) for $409 U.S. dollars total (without Collision because my credit card covers that). It was through Hertz. It would have been $482 with the collision. It was for beginning of October. But their prices seem reasonable and I like going through an American company in case there are any problems.

I wasn't planning on spending time in Milan so I haven't looked in to the area too much. But the one thing I was interested in was going to the Ferrari Museum after my time in Como. I found a hotel near the Museum, which isn't too far from Milan, that had a special for the room, a massage, and admittance to the Museum. Don't know if that sort of thing interests you or not, but thought I'd suggest it. Have fun.

Jill

"Although RS somewhat dismisses Milan, I really enjoy it. It feels more Northern European than Italian to me, and it has good public transportation, which makes it easier for me to enjoy a city."

I just want to emphasize all these points, which I emphatically agree with. Milan isn't what most Americans seem to be looking for when they go to Italy - which doesn't mean it has no appeal, just a different one. I find it most interesting in contrast to the rest of the country. It's definitely more efficient, faster paced, more dynamic, and more diverse. And the Metro definitely makes it easier to get around than many smaller Italian cities.

I went to "Monumental Cemetery"
by bus from near the Duomo. It is listed in Rick's book and we spent a few hours here.
It is the most ornate, elegant cemetery I've been to.
Found that there are several really ornate cemeteries in Italy.
The one on an island in Venice is amazing too.

A view from above might be nice as well.

I suggest two places:

Observation deck at Palazzo Lombardia, regional government headquater and second tallest building in the city. Open sunday only.

Torre Branca, short walk in the park north of Castello Sforzesco. Built in 1933.

Summertime might be hazy, so make sure to pick a clear day. The view of the Alps sorrounding the city is outstading.

I agree with Harold, I love Milano more every time I go.