Milan
Milan might be Italy’s most unjustly overlooked city. It’s home to a Michelangelo masterpiece, the world’s fourth-largest cathedral, and Italy’s greatest opera house. It’s also the epicenter of Italian fashion. Visit before the secret’s out.
Activities and Attractions:
Milan’s Duomo, the gothic cathedral that towers over town, is the center of the city. Its magnificent interior seats 40,000 people. Ascend to the roof for views all the way to the Alps, and to the basement, for foundations going back to the fourth century.
Next stop by another church, the Santa Maria delle Grazie. This is where you’ll find Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. No doubt you’ve seen reproductions, but nothing can prepare you for seeing the enormous fresco for yourself.
Try to take in a performance at La Scala (properly called “Teatro Alla Scala”), Milan’s cathedral of music. Even if you can’t get in, you can still visit the opera museum adjacent to the hall.
Finally, be sure to visit some of Milan’s fashion emporiums. The city that gave us the first shopping mall (the lovely Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II) is still the best place in Italy to find top names in clothing and decor. Versace, Moschino, Mila Schön, Fendi, Frette, and Alessi all have flagship stores here. Even if you’re not a fashion maven, Armani’s 8,000-square-foot edifice, complete with a café and a Nobu sushi branch, has to be seen to be believed.
Insider Tip:
It’s rarely possible to walk up to the Santa Maria delle Grazie church and get in to see the Last Supper. You’ll need a ticket and they tend to sell out early in the day. Luckily, it’s easy to reserve entry ahead of time on the Internet. The same goes for performances at La Scala. Opera tickets typically go on sale three months before each performance and can be purchased online.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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