Flying from Florida to Milan arriving 9:00 am in September 23 at Malapensa. Then have to get to Hotel Berna where we are staying for the one night before leaving by train the following morning to Venice. Can anyone give me the highlights of Milan - would also like to see what the infamous shopping in Milan is all about. Assume we should see the Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie and then go to the Duomo and want to go to the rooftop. Don’t really need to see any museums because there are so many on my itinerary already for the following two weeks as we travel south. Need help with what tickets I need to book (if necessary) and where to go window shopping and where to have a nice dinner on our first day in Italy. Thanks.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7346 posts
One trip with part of a day in Milan, we checked into our lodging, and caught a taxi to go straight to see DaVinci’s “il Cenacolo”. We’d easily prearranged for a reservation, but this was several years ago, and I understand that the popularity of The Last Supper May have changed how people are admitted now, and you may need to reserve a time slot very well ahead of time.
The duomo was covered in scaffolding back then, too, so seeing the exterior, except for bits of ornamentation on the magnificent spires, was just not an option. We didn’t try to visit inside, let alone the rooftop, but that would be nice to do now.
We did Rick Steves’ town walk, which included the Galleria Vittorio Emanuel - a glass-domed arcade which elegantly predates big American shopping malls. Follow tradition, go to the zodiac signs mosaic on the floor, and step and spin on Taurus’ testicles, for luck. Don’t mess with Leo, though! 😁
We continued on to La Scala opera house and its small museum. September isn’t in opera season, but you can still catch some of the Verdi and Toscanini vibe there. A bit further on is the big castle of the Sforza dynasty, and it was closing by the time we got there, so didn’t go inside, but were still able to stroll the stately garden grounds outside.
Don’t recall the restaurant we where we had dinner, but it was southwest of the duomo, and we arrived early - maybe 2 other tables had people at that time. There was an immense antipasto buffet, really good quality, and the whole meal was great! If you can go early, before many other diners, and maybe catch a glance inside or at the menu before deciding on a place, you could have a similar, rewarding, nice dinner on your first night.
Posted by
Spokane, WA
470 posts
If you are planning on seeing the Last Supper, you will probably have to book through a tour. The tickets for September went on sale on May 29th and pretty much sold out that day. You can try calling the ticket office to see if there are any available but if it is a really "must see" for you then I would be looking at another way to see it, as with a tour. Try Walks of Italy or Artviva. For the Duomo, you can book tickets on their site - www.duomomilano.it/en/buy-tickets/