Travel: Milan, Italy

This past December, I had the pleasure to spend a few days in Milan right before Christmas. I was so excited to be back, since it had been more than ten years since I first went with my parents. It was so nice to visit during the winter time with all the beautiful holiday decorations and cheerful vibes!

Here are a few places that I highly recommend checking out in Milan:

Duomo di Milano: The ULTIMATE landmark of the city! Located in the heart of Milan in the self-named Piazza del Duomo. This cathedral was constructed in 1386 and it took over 600 years to complete. If you want to go inside, you must buy a ticket. Pro Tip: Get tickets ahead of time. 😉

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Right next to the cathedral, you can find one oldest and most glamorous shopping malls in the world! This beautiful space was created in 1877 and you can find plenty of nice restaurants and stylish Italian designer stores like Prada, Max Mara and Versace.

Sforza Castle: This 15th century castle is centrally located and has an extensive area that houses several of the city’s museums and art collections, including Michelangelo’s Rondanini Pietà sculpture.

Santa Maria delle Grazie: Is a church and Dominican convent that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the refectory adjacent to the church, you can find one of the greatest artistic masterpieces in the world – The Last Supper by Leonardo di Vinci. In order to get a peak of this world class masterpiece, you must reserve at least 24hrs before and it can only be done online or over the phone.

Arco della Pace: This neoclassical “Arch of Peace” is an arch located at Porta Sempione, one of Milan’s many city gates. The arch was built under Napoleon’s rule in the early 19^th century.

Teatro alla Scala: Is Milan’s opera house and was inaugurated in 1778. Check the schedule during your stay and maybe you can catch an amazing performance. 😉

Pinacoteca di Brera: “Brera Art Gallery” is the main public art gallery in Milan and it contains one of the foremost collections of Italian paintings.

Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology: Is the largest science and technology museum in Italy, and is dedicated to Italian painter and scientist Leonardo da Vinci. This museum is pretty fun and interactive! Definitely worth visiting.

If you want to enjoy a drink with the ultimate view of the city, then head over to  Duomo 21 Terrace! Day or night, it is totally Instagramable! 😉

I advise staying somewhere centrally located so you can easily walk around the city. We found a cute and affordable hotel called Palazzo delle Stelline that was literally across the street from the Santa Maria delle Grazie church and a few block from the Sforza Castle!

If you have a few days to spare, take a train ride to Lake Como! It is absolutely breathtaking and it’s only an  hour away from Milan, and who knows…..you might even run into George Cloony and Amal!

Enjoy the carb loading! 🙂

#arrivederci
Dorina