Milan may have made its name as a fashion capital, but behind the modern, glamourous exterior lies a rich history of artistry, musical splendour and influential design. Its location near the Italian lakes makes it the ideal place to begin a relaxing holiday that combines the urban and the rural in perfect balance.
Style it out in fashion
Whip out your designer bag and swagger with the best of them through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the world’s oldest functioning shopping mall. Built in the 1860s, this glass-topped arcade connects Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala, two of Milan’s must-see spots.
The shopping gallery is a landmark in its own right, with a striking mosaic floor and intricately decorated arches. Stop for a cappuccino in any of the boutique cafes that sit in and amongst the designer shops. Window shop for Gucci shoes and Louis Vuitton bags in the city where these fashion designers made their names.
The Da Vinci code
The imposing Duomo di Milano looms over Piazza del Duomo. Bone-white spires reach up to the sky and you can get a new perspective on this architectural masterpiece by taking a walk on the roof. Get close enough to touch the intricate carved detail while watching people hustle through the city in the streets below.
Hidden in the refectory at the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent is one of the world’s greatest works of art. Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper adorns an entire wall, and viewing it where it was originally painted feels like you’re stumbling upon the most thrilling secret.
Dip into the memories of actors, singers, ballerinas and composers through the quirky Museo Teatrale alla Scala, which has been a Milanese landmark since 1913. Sumptuous operatic costumes are on display in this extraordinary museum. Catch a show in the extravagant auditorium and allow the gilded balconies and red carpets to transport you back to yesteryear.
Life by the lake
Take a revitalising trip to Lake Como. Just over an hour’s drive north, the town of Lecco is lapped by the lake’s shore and flanked by craggy mountains. Catch a water taxi to many of the little villages and Roman villas that totter over the water. A short drive from Lecco, you’ll discover the mountain resort of Piani d’Erna, where various grades of hikes enable you to experience first-hand that perfectly fresh mountain air. Or, perhaps, take an unforgettable cable car ride for views over the lake.
Driving two hours east from Milan will take you to Sirmione, a tiny, colourful town perched on a peninsula jutting into Lake Garda. The town is separated from the mainland by an ancient castle gate. The ramparts offer fantastic views over the lake and town. At the very tip of the peninsula, dip your feet in the shallow, forget-me-not blue waters of Lake Garda.
Milan is the perfect city in which to begin any trip to Italy, whether you’re driving onwards to Rome and Venice , hanging out in the fashion capital of the world or looking for a peaceful lakeside break. Make car rental in Milan your first port of call so that you don’t waste a minute of your vacation in this vivacious part of the world.
