Milan and Northern Lakes, Italy
The city of Milan is a combination of fast life, great classical art galleries, famous designer stores and a lively night scene. Considered as the business capital of Italy it is also a historic city full of churches and museums and you can easily spend a few days here to enjoy this bustling city.
Getting to and around Milan
The Malpensa airport is where all international flights arrive into the northern part of Italy and it is located 50 km northwest of the city. You can get to Milan either by bus which runs to Stazione Centrale every 20 minutes or by train the Malpensa Express which runs every 30 minutes. The domestic flights arrive at Linate airport which is just 7 km east of the city centre. Special airport buses run every 20 minutes to Piazza Luigi di Savoia in the centre.
Most international and domestic trains arrive at Stazione Centrale in Piazza Duca d'Aosta which is the hub of many trains and a network of buses. The coach station for all international and long distance buses is in front of Porta Garibaldi train station.
The public transport system in Milan consists of an efficient network of trams, buses and the metro. The metro is the quickest method of transport and if you decide to use buses you will find a display of routes on each bus stop. Taxis can be caught at the numerous taxi ranks around the city. The best advice is to avoid driving in and around Milan unless you have lots of time available to sit on traffic or get lost in the complicated ring system which services the city.
Milan Highlights
The Piazza del Duomo is your starting point in exploring Milan. The Duomo is the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and its construction began in 1386 to be completed almost 5 centuries later. Its decoration is a strange mixture of Baroque and Gothic designs but its size is what impresses. Inside the Duomo you will see marble columns and stained-glass windows and it is important to visit the Battistero Paleocristiano to the left of the entrance, the Scurolo di San Carlo an octagonal crypt with the remains of cardinal St. Charles Borromeo and the Treasury which features Byzantine ivory work and extravagant evangelical covers.
South of the Piazza del Duomo discover the charming church of San Satiro and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana with collections of ancient manuscripts making one of the largest libraries in Europe. North of the piazza stroll through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a glass domed gallery designed in 1865 full of upmarket cafes and shops. If you walk down the main branch of the galleria you will come to world-famous La Scala which was opened in 1778 and was designed by Piermarini. Here if you book well in advance you can enjoy operas from December to July and classical concerts or ballet from September to November each year.
One of the main reasons for visiting Milan is shopping. The city became a fashion icon during the 80’s when famous designers such as Armani, Gucci, Prada, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana gained international reputation. Most designer stores will be found at the Quadrilatero d’Oro, Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga and Corso di Porta Ticinese. Generally speaking eating and shopping in Milan can be an expensive exercise.
Northern Lakes
The Italian lakes and their beauty have attracted visitors for many decades and Italy’s opera composers like Verdi, Rossini and Bellini spent time here composing their music. Visitors come here to relax and enjoy the stunning beauty of the lakes and its opulent villas. Lake Como, lake Maggiore and lake Garda are most popular and the latter one attracts those interested in water sports.
Getting to and around the Lakes
Most visitors drive to and around the lakes which gives them an opportunity to enjoy their magnificent nature. There are train stations in Stressa for those interested in staying at Lake Maggiore and at Como town which is a good base to explore Lake Como. The numerous towns around the lakes are also serviced by local boats and small ferries being the best way to experience this area.
Stresa on Lake Maggiore has a number of lake side hotels offering all standards of accommodation. It has an elegant promenade and an old city centre with cafes and typical local restaurants. From here you can visit the Isole Borromee which consists of 4 smaller islands. Isola Bella has a villa but most visitors come here to admire its wonderful gardens which consist of 10 terraces with orange and lemon trees, camellias, magnolias, laurels and cypresses. Isola dei Pescatori which used to be an island of fishermen was Hemingway’s favourite island. The other 2 islands less visited are Isola Madre and the little island of San Giovanni. The charming towns of Verbania and Cannobio are worth a visit around lake Maggiore.
Lake Como is scattered with opulent villas and lush gardens which can be discovered in little towns like Cernobbio, Tremezzo, Menaggio, Bellagio and Varenna just to name a few. It is a stunning lake surrounded by tall peaks and lush vegetation. One of the highlights of lake Como is at Tremezzo the famous Villa Carlota. It is a pink and white neoclassical building built by a Prussian princess for her daughter Carlota. It has a collection of 18th century statues the most known one being Canova’s romantic Cupid & Psyche. No matter where you choose to stay you will discover charming cafes and trattorias around the lakes serving local specialties and grilled or fried fresh fish.
