Milan

Boccondivino

If you wish to taste wines, many different flavours of cheeses or different types of ham then Boccondivino is the restaurant for you. This Italian restaurant is all about having a good time and exploring new flavours. The restaurant has a wine cellar with hundreds of wine types and has interesting tasting menus which allow you to explore the richness of the Italian cheeses and wines with the aid of a friendly and professional sommelier. With attention to specific details of flavour this restaurant is all about gaining new experiences. This hidden jewel is certainly one of the most interesting restaurants in Milan and very worth visiting.

Pavarotti Milano Restaurant Museum

Italy is known for its opera culture and its dramatic displays of music. The Pavarotti Restaurant Museum is a restaurant dedicated to one of the most world renowned opera tenors in modern history, who we all know as Pavarotti. Within the restaurant you can find all kinds of memorabilia and items honoring Pavarotti, which makes an interesting talking point for the guests.

The chef of the restaurant also has another michelin star restaurant, so you can be sure to be welcomed by quite decent food as well. The restaurant uses local products to create a wide variety of authentic Italian dishes. The restaurant is located in the very center of Milan on the fourth floor of the shopping mall Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in front of the cathedral.

MOXY Milan Malpensa Airport

When you are looking for an affordable three star hotel at Malpensa airport then this modern, clean and well priced hotel is exactly what you want. As this hotel is designed with the needs of the traveler in mind.

This hotel offers a premium location for the early flyer who want to have both the airport and the city of Milan within reach, as this hotel is located within walking distance of taxi and bus stops to Milan, on Terminal 2 of Malpensa airport. Even if you wish to rent a car to explore Milan you don’t have to walk more than a few yards.

The three star boutique hotel has a warm, approachable and modern design. Which makes it easy to make yourself comfortable in this hotel. Food and drinks are available all day and night so you can do things at your own pace. There is always staff available around the clock. And the public computers are an excellent free service for people who forgot their laptop.

The rooms have a clean design and offer all necessary facilities, such as a shower, wide screen tv and air conditioning. If you wish to stay in contact with your family or work from the hotel you will be happy to know there is fast and free wifi across the hotel.

For an airport hotel it’s always important to consider the background noise. But we are happy to report the hotel is actually very silent and the windows have been soundproofed with proper acoustic insulation, so you are assured of a good night’s sleep. Other visitors of the hotel have reviewed the hotel as clean, comfortable and friendly, which is exactly in line with what we experienced.

At Meet The Cities we believe this hotel offers the most value for your money. So do check it out.

Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel & Conference Centre

The Sheraton is an award winning four star hotel on Malpensa airport with a spacious and chic design which will appeal to the fashion traveler heading towards Milan. The hotel is a perfect base of operations for the fashion and business traveler and people who are looking for a stopover hotel when they go for a day of shopping in Milan as it’s located at Terminal 1 of Malpensa airport.

The hotel offers a nice variety of rooms and suites. Even the smaller rooms are quite spacious, soundproof and have large windows that reach from the floor to the ceiling, walk in showers and heated towel bars in the marble bathrooms, big screen tv’s and a working desk. While the large suits have wall sized windows, double sinks, spacious sofa’s and a superior view.

The hotel is defined by its abundance of facilities, such as a heated indoor pool with floor to ceiling glass walls giving you a marvelous view as you enjoy your morning swim. A fitness room for people who wish to stay in shape while on the road. A spa offering a diverse array of massages by professional therapists, scrub treatments a sauna and more for the traveler who wants to come to full relaxation. And when you feel your stomach rumbling you can check out the hotel’s spacious Mediterranean restaurant or the Italian bar that offers some nice small bites.

The business traveler will be happy to know that the club lounge, which is a comfortable sitting area where you can get a bite to eat with a view over the runway and the alps, also offers a fax, printer and office supplies you can use so you can either stay productive or take some time off if you desire. The lounge also has a screen showing the flight times so you know when to relax or get on the move.

The location of this hotel is unsurpassed by any other airport hotel. The rooms are luxurious and watching the flights depart and land from the comfort of your hotel is pretty cool. If you add in the excellent services such as being able to see if your plane is on schedule without having to leave the hotel then you can’t get around the fact that this hotel is excellently suited for the city hopping traveler. When you are looking to stay at one the best airport hotels in Milan then this Sheraton hotel is the one that should be on top of your list.

First Hotel Malpensa

Within a kilometer of the airport Malpensa you will find a four star hotel with a nice outdoor terrace that truly offers a vacation feeling to the traveler that stays over. The hotel stands out due to the many little extra services this hotel offers. For example this hotel offers a shuttle service to and from the airport so the traveling is taken care of for you.

The hotel offers soundproofed rooms with free wifi, air conditioning, a shower and free movie and sports channels for entertainment, which you can tune in to on your widescreen tv. The rooms are clean and well taken care of. The reception of the hotel is always open. The hotel has an authentic a la carte Italian restaurant where they enjoy offering local and more global dishes, but they also take special requests for special diets such as those of vegetarians.

One of the great things about this hotel is that there is free parking space for every room, with a total capacity for 60 cars. The great thing about this is that if you rent a car at the airport, then this hotel makes a fantastic place to explore Milan, Turin, Genoa and the rest of the Lombardy region from. Which is certainly something to keep in mind.

Air Hotel Milano Linate

Right next to airport Linate you will this green and light four star hotel. This hotel stands out for it’s beautiful location, as it is resides in a city park next to the lake Idroscalo.

One of the biggest perks of this hotel is it’s nice green garden with plenty of trees which makes you feel like you are in the outdoors. And within walking distance you will also find a lake where many people come to tan, swim, canoe and enjoy the sun.

The hotel is at a 2 minute distance from the airport and in the outer areas of Milan itself. There is also a free pendelbus to the airport that goes around the clock. So you can be sure that you never have to travel far.

The hotel offers plenty of facilities, such as free wifi, a fitness room, a bar and restaurant. The hotel is soundproofed against outside noises. All rooms are equipped with a free mini-bar, a widescreen tv and air conditioning. And the hotel has it’s own free parking garage. One of the nice features of this hotel is its extensive breakfast and buffet. It really deserves a special mention that you can truly have a nice and varied meal every morning in this hotel.

At Meet The Cities we really enjoyed staying at this airport hotel in Milan, as it just feels good to stay in a green area, with large comfortable rooms and showers, have a nice meal before starting your day of shopping in the inner city of Milan. It hits all the right marks.

Espressohotel Milano Linate

The Espressohotel Milano Linate is a modern three-star hotel with good value for money and a perfect location. It is located within a 5 minute walk from Linate airport. But you don’t have to walk if you don’t want to, because a shuttle transfer to Linate airport is available at guests disposal. If you want to drive from this hotel to the city center of Milan, it will take you only about 15 minutes. Private parking is available on the site.

A great feature of this airport hotel is its outdoor swimming pool. And for people that prefer to stay inside there is also a sauna. The hotel has a restaurant that serves Italian food à la carte. And the (optional) continental buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant is substantial, with a proper selection offered.

The air conditioned rooms are very clean, soundproof and have a private bathroom with a great shower and toiletries, a 40-inch flat-screen tv and free WiFi. The hotel praises their high quality and large beds. Free cribs (infant beds) are available on request. It is also possible to book a room for day use. Ideal when you need a power nap for 2 or 3 hours during your transit to another flight.

This hotel differentiates itself from other hotels by designing the hotel in such a way that encourages the guests to create new friends and share experiences. A truly social hotel.

M89 Hotel

The M89 Hotel is a modern four-star hotel near Linate airport with a professional and helpful staff. Everything in this hotel is really brand new as it has opened its doors in 2017. M89 Hotel is located at Via Mecenate which is one of the main roads that links the city center of Milan with Linate airport. Just outside the hotel is a tram line that brings you straight to the city center of Milan. For its guests that arrive by car has the hotel a garage as well as outdoor parking spaces available, but it is advised to reserve your spot because the number of private parking spaces is limited. Nearby are also free public parking spots.

In the hotel is a restaurant that is specialized in Mediterranean cuisine and there is a bar where you can enjoy great cocktails and appetizers. Milan often has really nice weather so you could make use of the nice outdoor terrace with views. An advantage of this hotel is that the buffet breakfast is included.

The 55 modern smoke-free rooms of this hotel are soundproofed and bright. They all have an adjustable air-conditioning, a 40-inch flatscreen tv, a minibar, free bottled water and there is free WiFi. In the private bathroom is a hair dryer, a nice shower and free toiletries. The rooms are daily cleaned and room service is available.

Winter Garden Hotel Bergamo Airport

Only 2 km (1.2 mi) from Bergamo airport you will find this luxurious four star hotel. The hotel offers a free shuttle service between Orio al Serio International Airport, the hotel and Oriocenter Shopping Centre. But the hotel also offers free on-site parking for its guests.

Winter Garden Hotel Bergamo Airport has an excellent restaurant that serves delicious traditional dishes from Lombardy and a lounge bar that offers tasty aperitifs and cocktails. In the garden area you can enjoy the sun and sipping a nice cool drink. The buffet breakfast is included and has a wide selection of items to choose from. Especially for people that have an early flight is breakfast available from 4:30 am. With nice weather you can eat your breakfast at the rooftop terrace.

The hotel as a wellness center with a big jacuzzi bath, a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna, emotional showers, an ice waterfall, a relax area and an outdoor solarium. The hotel also has a fitness centre. It has several meeting rooms which are also large enough for conferences. This makes the hotel very suitable for leisure travellers as well as business travellers.

There are several types of rooms available, but they are all soundproofed, spacious and are tastefully decorated. The rooms also have air conditioning a minibar and a flat-screen tv with satellite channels. Dependent on the type of room that you have the bathroom has a shower or hydromassage bath, but all have a hairdryer and toiletries. There is daily housekeeping and room service is available.

This hotel also has a professional and very service oriented multilingual staff that is very willing to help their guests with all their questions and requests. This is why the slogan of this hotel is: Hi-comfort | Low-stress.

NH Orio Al Serio

The modern four-star NH Orio Al Serio hotel is conveniently located right opposite to the Orio Al Serio (Bergamo) Airport. There is a shuttle service available, but there is also an underground passageway so that you can walk between the hotel and the airport. The hotel offers also free onsite parking to its guests. For fashion lovers this location has an extra advantage as it is also next to the Oriocenter shopping complex with over 200 shops, bars and restaurants.

The hotel has a bar that is open 24-hours a day, so that the guests can relax with a nice drink even when they have arrived after a night flight. And the hotel restaurant serves a delicious buffet-breakfast with a wide selection of items and dinner with exquisite Mediterranean and local dishes. Their buffet-breakfast opens at 5:30 am for early travellers, but the staff is very willing to prepare some food for you if you have to leave earlier. Overall is the staff of this hotel professional and very service minded.

In this hotel are great facilities available like a gym, a (free) sauna, a business center and 7 fully-equipped function rooms of which the largest can take up to 120 persons. This makes the hotel well suited for leisure travellers as well as business travellers.

The NH Orio Al Serio offers 118 comfortable and stylish rooms in several types, but they are all spacious, very clean, have soundproofed windows and free WiFi. Inside the rooms you will find a large flat screen tv with satellite channels, air conditioning, a minibar and in the bathroom are besides the shower/bathtub combination also toiletries and bathrobes present.

Popular: Shopping in the center of Milan

The city center of Milan is usually the first place where people look when they go shopping. And rightfully so, because these culture rich shopping streets have a lot to offer when it comes to popular fashion.

Around the Milan Cathedral you will find a wide variations of shops, museums and places where you can sit down for a cup of coffee. As this is the most popular part of town you will find shops dedicated to revitalize the wardrobe of the casual shopper with the latest trends.

From the center you can find shops in almost any direction. The busiest shopping street in Milan is the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Here you will find large warehouses and international fashion chains with popular Italian brands that are well suited for people who want to buy nice fashion for a modest budget.

If you are looking for a drink then you check out the popular pedestrian street Via Dante, which is a street which leads people from the Milan Cathedral to the Sforza Castle. In this street you will find many restaurants to sit down and watch the crowd from while enjoying the beautiful castle in the background. But there are also plenty of shops to stroll through.

The Via Torino is also one of the more popular shopping streets for casual shoppers looking for the main casual clothing stores. A lot of large shopping chains like Zara, Guess and H&M have settled here. And the street is especially well known for it’s excellent choices in female fashion and footwear.

The street Via Torino goes from the Duomo to the south in the direction of Navigli. Via Torino is one of the oldest streets in Milan and thus passes several historical sites like the Temple of San Sebastiano. And if you continue to go south you will pass ancient Roman ruins such as the Columns of San Lorenzo and the remains of the old city wall on the Corso di Porta Ticinese.

High end: Quadrilatero della moda

Milan has high end shopping district called the Quadrilatero della moda, which is Italian for the fashion square. It’s called fashion square for a good reason, because this is where all reputable brands have settled and you will find the top of the bill when it comes to fashion. According to Vogue this is arguably the most important fashion shopping district in the world due to the haute couture being displayed here.

The Quadrilatero della moda encompasses several streets, such as the luxurious Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Borgospesso, Via Manzoni, Via Sant’Andrea, Via Pietro Verri and the upscale Corso Venezia. And it is located within walking distance of the Cathedral Duomi Di Milano in the north east of the city center.

The most alluring fashion street is the Via Monte Napoleone. If you are looking for inspiration, the latest trends and fashion from some of the biggest flagship stores to be seen in then this place is for you. Fashion designers have set up shop here for people with high expectations, as all major brands like Prada, Hermes, Cartier, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani, Burberry and Ralph Lauren have their own boutique. So if you are looking for matching new shoes, enviable handbags, jewelry or something else then you will find it all here.

Parallel to the Via Monte Napoleone you will find the Via della Spiga, which is home to Moncler, Dolce & Gabbana, Tiffany & Co. and more. The fashion district encompasses these two streets and everything in between.

The Corso Venezia is the east most side of the fashion district. This long street continues the trend with a Stone Island store, a Diesel store and others. As the beautiful name Corso Venezia implies this street is home to several Renaissance and Baroque architectural highlights. You will find several interesting places here, such as the Milan Natural History Museum, the Palazzo Serbelloni and just around the corner you can find the Villa Reale.

Via Manzoni connects Piazza della Scala, the square with the opera house and museums, to the Quadrilatero della moda, the fashion district of Milan. On the street Via Manzoni you will find the the Armani megastore, which is probably one of Meet The Cities favorite stores in the district and certainly a recommended visit.

Popular: Corso Buenos Aires

The Corso Buenos Aires is one of the largest shopping streets in Europe. Here you can shop until you drop, as nowhere else in Europe will you find a higher concentration of clothing stores. So this centuries old shopping street is an excellent destination for people looking for popular fashion for a normal budget. Most of the stores are local Italian and European outlets displaying a certain style of clothing. The stores are quite diverse. There are also brand specific stores such as from United Colors of Benetton, Lacoste, Adidas and the Zara. Although the street mostly focusses on clothing stores there are also food chains where you can get a quick bite if you so desire.

The Corso Buenos Aires is more than a kilometer long and offers plenty of shopping fun on it’s own. But the street actually also transitions into other shopping streets. For example the luxurious Corso Venezia transitions into the Corso Buenos Aires when you walk past the city park called the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens.

Shopping malls in Milan

A lot of shoppers enjoy finding everything their heart desires in one place. And the Milanese know exactly what you mean, as Milan has several large shopping malls and grand department stores to cater these needs.

The most famous one is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is located right next to the Milan cathedral in the heart of the city. This luxurious 19th century shopping mall is said to be one of the first shopping malls in the world. When you look at it’s elegant architecture, with a triumphal arch at the entry, it’s unique glass dome and handmade details on every wall, you will realize it’s also one of the most beautiful shopping malls around.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II offers a combination of luxury fashion shops, such as Louis Vuitton, Prada and Swarovski with restaurants and cafes where you can sit down and enjoy the scenery.

La Rinascente is a department store which can be found right next to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Cathedral of Milan. The La Rinascente in Milan is their flagship department store and it impressed so much it was actually nominated for the best department store in the world.

The ground floor of La Rinascente is dedicated to beauty, so you will find makeup and jewelry products here. As you go up you will find casual and formal fashion for men, pretty much everything for women from branded fashion to nice lingerie. To a floor for kids. On the 7th floor is the food hall, where you can sit down at an Italian restaurant, a sushi bar or simply get a sandwich while enjoying a view of the Milan Cathedral. If the weather is nice you can opt to sit outside on the roof terrace with a warm cup of coffee.

Vintage: The Navigli canal district and Porta Ticinese shopping street

Corso di Porta Ticinese is one of the main shopping streets in Milan for vintage, alternative and boutique shops. Alternative and unique styles are offered in shoe, fashion and jewelry stores that take up the majority of the street, but the street also has numerous places to eat or get a cup of coffee.

As you walk down the street you will find the street goes past several monumental sites, such as the Roman columns of Milan, called the Colonne di San Lorenzo, and the remains of the Medieval Gate of Milan, called the Porta Ticinese Antica. Making it well worth to explore the street at your own pace.

The Corso di Porta Ticinese starts where the shopping street Via Torino ends. And it connects the city center with the romantic Navigli district. You will instantly know when you have arrived in the Navigli district, as at the end of the street you will find a large square called the Piazza Ventiquattro Maggio. In the middle of this square you will find the actual Porta Ticinese, which is an impressively huge white pillared city gate announcing that you have arrived.

The Navigli are the waterways in the romantic Navigli canal district of Milan. Next to the Piazza Ventiquattro Maggio you will find the docks of the Milanese canals. From these docks you can for example take a boat tour through the canals of Milan. From the docks the two canals of Milan, the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese, go into the southern direction. Everything surrounding the Naviglio Grande and west of the Naviglio Pavese canal is called the Navigli district.

The Naviglio Grande is the oldest canal of the pair, as it can be dated all the way back to 1157. The canals were originally used as a defensive structure and as a means to transport heavy materials towards the center of Milan. The canals allowed Milan to become a popular port city, but they were also used for practical means, such as washing your clothes in the Vicolo dei Lavandai. Today the canals are still used for irrigation, but also form the heart and soul of a unique touristic district.

The Navigli district is the nightlife area of Milan. Next to the canals you will find long streets filled to the brim with Italian restaurants where you can sit down for a bite while enjoying the sunset. Between the restaurants you will also find an abundance of nightlife venues, as the streets are also covered with pubs and cafes and even wine bars. Mixed with the occasional art gallery appealing to your visual senses.

At Meet The Cities we love to stroll past the canals in the evening, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and then finish the day with the highlight of having a satisfying dinner with your partner as you enjoy the view of the canals. If you had a nice cocktail afterwards you will also be glad to know the trams from this district go until late in the evening.

Vintage: The cultural Brera district

In the north west of the historical center of the city you will find the artistic heart of the city. The first thing that stands out is that the district looks a bit different from the rest of the city, as you will quickly notice the quint architecture of the buildings in the many small and cobbled streets that make up the area.

The Palazzo Brera is one of the main draws of the district, as it contains an observatory, a botanical garden and the art academy which has drawn many artists to the area. It is for a good reason that Milans design week is always prominently present here every year. The most notable art gallery of Milan, the Pinacoteca di Brera, located at the Via Brera, has laid a precedent for art galleries and antique stores to surround the area.

Today you will find many cafe restaurants are creeping into the streets of Brera, such as in my favorite street the Via Fiori Chiari. Which is an excellent place for an affordable meal on a terrace where you can watch the shopping crowd walk by.

On the east side of the Via Fiori Chiari you can continue on north to the Via Brera and the Via Solferino to continue on with your shopping experience. The Brera district is known for it’s one of a kind boutique shops, it’s many showrooms, it’s specialist shops and artisan clothing stores. So it’s a good place to discover fashion outside of the popular main streets of Milan, so you can find some pretty unique items and accessories for a reasonable price that few other people have.

Verona

The romantic city of Verona is a popular tourist destination and can be found in North Italy near Milan and halfway towards Venice. The city center has been awarded as an UNESCO World Heritage Site since the year 2000. Verona has after Rome the most constructions from the ancient Roman Empire. And because the city center is compact are the distances between the constructions walkable.

Over the Adige river that crosses the city are several beautiful bridges, like the Ponte Pietra and the Ponte di Castelvecchio (or Ponte Scaligero) that is built in 1356. The city also has two beautiful castles, called Castelvecchio and Castel San Pietro. Another beloved attraction of Verona is the house of Juliet (casa di Giulietta), which is famous because of Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The house includes of course the well-known balcony and also has a museum in it.

But the main attraction is probably the Arena, which is an ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans and is nowadays used as a great opera venue. During the summer opera festival are many notable opera singers and prominent opera performances.

If you prefer shopping above culture you should visit Via Mazzini. This street is not only home to popular shops like Zara and H&M, but also some high-end stores from Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and Bvlgari.

Cinque Terre

The beautiful Cinque Terre is a very popular tourist destination and comprises a string of five charming villages along the Italian Riviera. These villages are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Since 1997 are the villages also an UNESCO World Heritage Site. What makes these villages so special is that they date back to the 11th century, their gorgeous and carefully built terraces, the medieval fortresses and the colorful homes up the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Many tourists come here to walk the ancient Sentiero Azzurro, or Azure Trail, which is the famous walking trail with stunning views that connects the five villages. The most famous part of this path is between Manarola and Riomaggiore and is called Via dell’Amore, or Love Walk. From the outside it is not possible to reach the villages by car. The five villages are only connected by boats, trains and by footpaths.

From Milan is the nearest train station at Monterosso al Mare which you can reach via a three hour train ride. Other options are to park your rental car near the train stations of La Spezia or Levanto and take the train to one of the five villages, which takes only about 10 to 20 minutes, while others prefer to take an organized bus tour.

Venice

Venice is a gorgeous city in the north-east of Italy at about three hours driving from Milan. It has a long history and is probably named after the Veneti people that lived there in the tenth century BC. Since the 18th century is it also one of the most visited cities by tourists in Italy. And let’s face it. Don’t you want to see romantic Venice together with your loved one from a classical Venetian boat with a gondolier singing a serenade?

What makes Venice so special is its beautiful cityscape and that the city is built on 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Almost all transportation takes place on water and the 177 canals are used as roads. With many beautiful constructions like Piazza San Marco, Basilica San Marco, Canal Grande, Palazzo Ducale, Ca’ d’Oro, Ponte dei Sospiri, Teatro La Fenice, Basilica Santa Maria della Salute, chiesa San Giorgio Maggiore and Ponte Rialto the city is considered a living museum.

It should not be a surprise that Venice is an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Most of these famous constructions in Venice are built between the tenth and fifteenth century AD when The Republic of Venice was one of the most powerful financial, trading and maritime centers in Europe.

Famous annual events in Venice are the Venetian carnival that is known for its elaborate masks and the Venice Film Festival, which is the oldest film festival in the world.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and has a surface of about 370 sq.km. (143 sq.mi.). The lake is well-known for its picturesque landscape with clear and intense blue water between beautiful mountains, forests and small villages, which makes it also a popular holiday destination.

There are plenty of activities and day trips available for tourists in the area including wine tastings, water recreation activities, visiting medieval castles and other historical sites. Families with children also like to visit amusement park Gardaland. The town of Sirmione is the most visited village in the area due to its historic Rocca Scaligera castle, fashion stores, hotels and restaurants. Other popular villages are Riva del Garda, Lazise and Peschiera del Garda.

As this lake is located near Milan do people who are looking for a peaceful vacation often combine a camping vacation to Lake Garda with a city trip to Milan. But the other way around is a city trip to MiIan also often combined with a day trip to Lake Garda and Sirmione.

San Bernardino alle Ossa

Behind the Duomo Cathedral in Milan you will find a Baroque church where history has taken an interesting turn. It used to be a cemetery with a delightful church. But as the cemetery in the heart of Milan filled up it ran out of space to store the remains of the people resting there. So the bones had to be moved from their resting place.

Since 1210 the church has a slightly disturbing chapel, or more accurately an ossuary, where the bone remains of local catholics are stored. The walls are decorated with bones and skulls are stacked in artistic cross shapes immortalizing the deceased in a macabre yet intriguing Christian work of art. As the church is centrally located in Milan it’s certainly recommended to pay a visit and see this unique homage to the death.

Duomo Cathedral of Milan and The Last Supper

The main attraction of Milan is the Duomo di Milano, which is the third church in the world when it comes to sheer size. If you say The Cathedral of Milan then people know exactly about which cathedral you are talking about. Located in the heart of the city, with an extravagant design with thousands of statues, you cannot really miss it. As we believe this is a must see in Milan we have described the church on the sightseeing page. Visit the sightseeing page if you want to find out more about this landmark building.

Another world renowned church in Milan is the Santa Maria delle Grazie. This church is home to one of the most famous paintings in the world, as the master Leonardo Da Vinci himself has painted his masterpiece The Last Supper on the walls. On the sightseeing page you will find more about this piece of world heritage.

San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

The church of San Maurizio is one of the more charming churches in Milan. Insiders often refer to it as the Sistine Chapel of Milan, which is a reference to the abundance of impressive 16th century frescoes by the renaissance painter Bernardino Luini, who was a cohort of Leonardo Da Vinci, that cover the interior. The cultural tourist will appreciate this hidden jewel depicting religious scenes and figures that cross all sides of several chapels.

Visiting this church gives a nice insight in the Catholic tradition of combining religion with unmatched visual arts. Besides the beautiful frescoes in which you can immerse yourself you will also find other treasures such as the 16th century organ of the church, which is considered the oldest organ in Milan.

Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio

The Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is church with close historical ties to the city of Milan. This large complex is named after the city patron and former bishop of Milan Saint Ambrose, who had started the construction of this building in the fourth century. It is a Romanesque church defined by its two bell towers and it’s unusual early Christian facade.

Inside you will find its characteristic golden altar with a fourth to eighth century mosaic portraying Christ behind the altar. Another feature you will find is the marble sarcophagus of Flavius Stilicho which has not moved since the fourth century. Delving deeper into the church you will discover it has a 9th century crypt on display which houses several saints, including saint Ambrose himself with his artistic treasure trove and the tomb of Louis II of Italy.

Santa Maria San Satiro

The Santa Maria San Satiro is a 15th century church which showcases some impressive renaissance design. There used to be a very basic church from the 9th century on this spot, but after a miracle happened, in which a painting started to bleed, they decided to create a new church that stands there today. The church has a white and gold design with three naves.

One of the remarkable aspects of this church, for which we had to put it on this list, is that this small church is home to one of the first optical perspective illusions in the history of art. As there was a road behind the church the architecture had to be restricted in size. So to make the church feel more spacious to give it the stature it deserves a large illusion was drawn behind the altar on the back wall making it appear as if the church is much deeper than it actually is. The apse appears as if it’s almost 10 meters deep, while in reality it extends less than a single meter.

Certosa di Garegnano

The Certosa di Garegnano, also known as the Garegnano Charterhouse, is a fantastically preserved centuries old monastery. The monastery from 1349 is a bit of a hidden gem in the northwestern corner of Milan, which can be reached by taxi or public transportation. It was originally founded by Giovanni Visconti who was then the bishop and ruler of the city. 

The inside of the monastery is covered in beautiful frescos, which are paintings on the walls and ceilings from the 16th and 17th century made by famous Italian painters portraying various biblical scenes. Due to the impressive artistry it’s often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Milan. It’s a stunning place of reflection where people can sink into their thoughts for hours contemplating the Christian imagery that they are seeing.

Rome

Rome, or Roma in Italian, is considered as one of the most beautiful and romantic cities of the world. With almost three million inhabitants it is not only the largest city in Italy, but also its capital since 1871. It is estimated that the city of Rome is over 2500 years old, but there is archeological evidence that there are living people in the area of Rome for over 14,000 years. Rome is also considered as one of the places where western civilisation has its origins.

Within the city of Rome is the city-state Vatican City, which is ruled by the Pope. It is the only country within a city in the world. The most famous sites in Vatican City are the St. Peter’s Square, the St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Since the Middle Ages is Rome a main Christian pilgrimage site. Still are people from all over the world to coming Rome to bring a visit to Vatican City.

Of all Italian cities attracts Rome most tourists yearly. This is, besides Vatican City, the result of the amplitude of its archaeological and artistic treasures. And the historic city center is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

So has the architecture of Rome continuously developed over the centuries and from the different periods are still many fascinating constructions preserved. You will find ancient architecture, medieval architecture, renaissance and baroque architecture, neoclassicism and fascist architecture. Besides the architecture are the parks and gardens, fountains and aqueducts, obelisks and columns, bridges and catacombs appealing for many tourists.

Further has the city of Rome much to offer regarding (renaissance) art, statues and sculptures, mosaics, frescos and paintings. Rome is the city with the most monuments in the world.

Some sights that you must see in Rome are the Colosseum (the largest amphitheatre ever built), the Roman Forum (ancient public plaza), the Pantheon (a former Roman temple), the Trevi fountain (a famous Baroque fountain) , Castel Sant’Angelo (a castle and mausoleum of Roman Emperor Hadrian), the Altare della Patria (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II).

For the people who don’t have any interest in the history is also a lot to do as Rome has an inspiring art and vibrant street life. It is the fourth fashion capital of the world after Milan, Paris and New York so you will find alluring shopping streets with mainstream fashion as well as high-end fashion. The main shopping areas concentrate around Via del Corso, Via Condotti and Via Cola di Rienzo. The city has also many great hotels, (rooftop) bars, restaurants and nightclubs, so you will absolutely enjoy your stay in the magical city of Rome.

Pisa

Pisa is known for its leaning tower that is called Torre Pendente in Italian. The construction of the tower began in 1173 and became famous after it unintendedly started to tilt. But Pisa has a lot more to offer like several museums, about 20 churches and many other beautiful constructions. Pisa is also home to the University of Pisa that has about 50,000 students, while the city has only about 90,000 inhabitants. So Pisa is besides a tourist city also a student city.

Many beautiful constructions can be seen when you walk between the central station of Pisa and the Piazza dei Miracoli where you will find the leaning tower. Next to the leaning tower is the impressive Duomo di Pisa and behind the Duomo is the Battistero di Pisa. Besides these constructions is the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is also visited by many tourists, while the Museo delle Sinopie and Museo di San Matteo are not yet really discovered them.

Near the Piazza dei Miracoli you will find the tourist- and gift shops, but the main shopping area is near the Corso Italia and the Ponte di Mezzo.

When you’re in Pisa on June 16th you are lucky. The lights along the Arno river will be dimmed and over 10,000 candles will be lit. From the bridge Ponte di Mezzo you will have a great view.

Monza

Monza is an especially well known city among sports fans. And most people actually visit Monza when there is a Formula 1 Grand Prix race or a Motor Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale, which is the world famous Italian racing track in Monza.

This city is only 20 km (12.4 mi) away from Milan and as such it’s often considered a wealthy suburb of Milan. The Parco di Monza is the largest enclosed park in whole Europe and people love to come here for a stroll and to relax, especially during the spring and summer. In front of the park is the alluring Villa Reale which is the royal villa that has been built for Marie-Therese of Austria in the 18th century.

The city center also has some beautiful constructions like the Duomo, called Cathedral of Saint John, with a black and-white marble arcaded façade.

Although this city can not be compared to the other cities in this category. It is the city that is most nearby Milan and also has a charming historical city center that is set up as a pedestrian only shopping area.

Florence

Florence is a popular student city, the largest city of Tuscany and one of the main cultural cities of Europe as it is the birthplace of renaissance. There are many people that consider Florence among the most beautiful cities in the world. Julius Caesar established the present city of Florence as a settlement for his veteran soldiers in 59 BC.

Over the next centuries Florence grew steadily and became the capital of Tuscany around the year 1000. And from the 14th to the 16th century Florence was even one of the largest cities in Europe and a leading city in politics, economy, and culture. Much of the wealth in the city was created by the Italian banking family de’ Medici who played a prominent role in the development of architecture and art.

An abundance of other prominent historical persons like Brunelleschi (one of the founding fathers of the Renaissance), Donatello, Leonardo Da Vinci (an early Renaissance sculptor), Niccolò Machiavelli (one of the founders of modern political science), Michelangelo (sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance), Galileo Galilei (astronomer, physicist, engineer, philosopher, and mathematician), Dante Alighieri (a major Italian poet of the late Middle Ages) en Bartolomeo Cristofori (maker of musical instruments and the inventor of the piano) are from Florence and all contributed to the evolution of this city in their own way.

Florence attracts every year millions of tourists as it is renowned for its culture, monuments, renaissance art and architecture. And as a result of its history has Florence numerous museums and art galleries. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous and important museums in the world. The famous Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze is home to sculptures of Michelangelo like the original David sculpture, but it also has paintings and sculptures of other artists. Other museums are Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Museo Galileo and Palazzo Pitti. Tickets for The Uffizi and Accademia are regularly sold out, but can be purchased online prior to visiting Florence.

Other interesting structures are the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (il Duomo di Firenze), Florence Baptistery, Basilica di San Lorenzo, Santa Maria Novella, Basilica di Santa Croce, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Ponte Vecchio and its Corridoio Vasariano. There are two copies of the David sculpture of Michelangelo in Florence. The first is in the historical city center at the Piazza della Signoria. The second is at the Piazzale Michelangelo and from here you also have a great view over parts of the city.

We can imagine that you also want to do some fashion shopping when you are in beautiful Florence. The high-end fashion stores can be found at Via de’ Tornabuoni, Via del Parione and Via Roma. And people with a real passion for fashion should also bring a visit to the Gucci museum as the famous brand is founded in Florence. And don’t forget to taste the delicious Florentine cuisine and their tasty ice cream.

Genoa

Genoa is a city with about 600.000 inhabitants in north-west Italy and is a two hour drive away from Milan. It has one of the largest ports at the Mediterranean Sea which brought the city economic success for many centuries. Because of its location this city brought several great navigators and founded colonies in many different parts of the world. The most famous navigator from Genoa is Christopher Columbus because of his discovery of America.

Nowadays many tourists come via cruise ships to Genoa to see the many astonishing landmarks and the part of the old city center that is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also the old neighborhood of Boccadasse attracts many tourists because of its picturesque scenery, pastel colored houses, nice coastline and colored small boats.

One of the first landmarks that these tourists will see from the cruise ship is the Lanterna. This is the lighthouse in the port of Genoa and is built in 1543 which makes it the oldest lighthouse in the world. Some of the other landmarks are Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, Piazza de Ferrari, Palazzo Ducale and Teatro Carlo Felice. Throughout the city are also many palaces. The Palazzi dei Rolli are a group of palaces of which forty-two palaces are included among shared human heritage according to UNESCO. Some of these palaces can be found at Via Garibaldi.

We from Meet The Cities recommend to take the public elevator called Castelletto Levante at Piazza del Portello to Belvedere di Castelletto. From here you will have some breathtaking views over parts of Genoa. A perfect spot for some holiday pictures.

Police, fire brigade and ambulance

When traveling abroad it’s always useful to know who to contact in case of an emergency. In Italy the standard emergency number is 112. This is the same as in the rest of Europe. It’s likely a telephonist of the police (or carabinieri) will pick up, but you can call this number for any kind of emergency, as they can forward your call to the fire brigade and ambulance.

Officially they should be able to speak English on the other side of the line. But especially in regional parts of Italy it can be a bit of a struggle. If you intend to spend a lot of time on water and are in need of the coast guard you can call 1530. You can also call 113 to directly contact the police, 115 for the fire department, 116 for roadside assistance, and 118 for an ambulance. But it’s easier to remember just to call 112 when you need assistance.