Milan on the Way to Como, Verona & Brescia

By Arnie Greenberg
Contact Arnie at
ultours@gmail.com

(Above, Milan's amazing Piazza Duomo)

Milan is one of those cities that is hidden in the forest of cities that call out.

Consider Nice to the southwest, Florence to the south, Venice to the east and Zurich to the north. These are all cities that beckon travelers to 'come on down.' But how often have you seen ads offering the best of Milan? True, there's a tourist industry that includes Milan on the way to Como or Brescia or 'on your route to Verona.'

Yet people eventually find Milan sitting in the industrial north of Italy, only 50 or so kilometers from fabled Switzerland and almost a stone's throw from Aosta and the tunnel to Mont Blanc.

Take a Few Extra Days in Milan

So instead of using it only as a jumping off point to more glittering tourist havens, take an extra few days. Walk the streets on the downtown core heading south from the central station. For those who are in a hurry, Milan has a speedy, efficient underground metro system. You will be amazed at what is waiting for you.

This is a city of Celtic origin, once under French or Spanish domination. It was the capital of Lombard-Venice in 1815 and has an international flair. There are over 4 million people living in or around this city in the center of Italy's industrial north. During Roman times, it was one of the largest cities in the world.

Milan is a city with a fanatic dedication to soccer, as witnessed by the giant stadium. Italians claim they invented soccer, but in fact there are few similarities to what they once played, except for the ball.

(Leonardo's horse near the Hippodrome)

There are more spectacular things to see here than you realize. For example, near the Hippodrome is a gigantic statue of a horse credited to Leonardo, whose own statue faces La Scalla, one of the world's premiere opera houses that holds 2,000 people and which was founded under the auspices of Maria Theresa of Austria.

The Sounds of Maria Callas

The opera house still rings with the sounds of the great diva, Maria Callas, or the conductor Toscanini, and there's even a museum (Museo della Scala), where you can learn more about the music hall's past.

From there, on your way to the central square, is the glass-covered Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, where great coffeehouses and fashion boutiques abound. The walk through is exciting, as you see the combination of the old and the new.

(The great domed ceiling of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele)

Stop in the middle and watch the people around the ceramic bull. The idea here is to place your heel on El Tauro the bull's private parts. Turn in a circle and your wish to return to Milan will come true.

As you leave the domed center, you come face to face with the Piazza della Duomo and the central focus of this great city. With a large, impressive statue in the middle, the focal point is the actual Duomo -- whether seen from the inside or out. This late Gothic Italian structure is Italy's third largest and dates back to 1386. It is shaped like a cross with stained windows and multi-columned interior. It is truly awesome -- with 52 giant pillars.

A Great State Art Gallery

If that's not enough, there's a great state art gallery on the left of the square as you leave the Duomo, and in only a few minutes you can be in the smaller Sta. Maria Della Grazie.

Once you're inside, you will see one of the greatest pieces of art in all of Italy. It was here in the late 15th century that Da Vinci painted The Last Supper. Considering its age and the fact that the church was badly damaged during WWII, you will be amazed at what awaits you. I suggest you make an appointment in advance. It's a very popular place.

Next stop: the great Castello Sforasco. Here behind somber walls a family most important to the region once lived. Now its garden and buildings are open to the public. It's a perfect place to walk around leisurely or have a picnic.

And for those who love shopping, make sure you walk along the famous Montenapoleone, where exclusive and elegant boutiques offer the latest fashions at exclusive prices. But even if you are only window-shopping, you'll long remember the styles that seem to emerge first from the fashion houses of Milan.

A Fashionable City with Wide Streets

Yes, this is a fashionable city with wide streets, wonderful restaurants, fashion houses, art galleries, churches and opera. There is something for everybody. Try it, slowly…

(Take a train ride north to wonderful Como, a magnificent seaside town)

And if you still have time, take a train ride north to wonderful Como. Just walking around the seaside town is an experience, but a view of the mountains from atop the funicular or a boat ride up the river to Bellagio will be its own reward.

Milan is a city of good hotels, many of which are close to the central station. Arriving by train is so convenient, and from Milan there are trains ready to take you in any direction to one of the most welcoming countries in the world.

WHEN YOU GO...

Hotel: All Suites. Excellent for business or vacation. Modern, well equipped with personable staff. Near Central RR Station. 17 story building (1960)
Via Fabio Filzi, 25/28 Tel 02 675041
Fax: 02 6698 -0602

Other less expensive hotels are Hotel Zurigo on Corso Italia, 11A, (Tel: 7202 2260 Milan's oldest,
The Aristo at 22 Via Aristo and the 4* Carlyle at 84 Corso Garibaldi Tel: 2900 3888 that offers visitors a free bicycle to get around. I prefer to walk.