Milan

Milan is one of the four fashion capital cities and a great starting point for a holiday in Italy. Whether you are hoping for culture or couture, Milan is a fabulous way to get lost for a weekend. I only spent one day in the city, so my recommendations are few. I suppose I will just have to make a return trip to explore more extensively!

Where to Stay

• The Square Milano Duomo: The hotel is modern and chic with all of the amenities one could hope for while abroad. The Square is located a short 5-10 minute walk to the duomo and city center.
  • Cost: Around € 300/night during summer (about $340 USD)

What to do

• Duomo di Milano: The Duomo is the landmark in the heart of Milan and the architecture is unimaginable. The center surrounding the duomo is buy during the day and lively at night. While I was visiting, locals were dancing in the streets as crowds gathered and vendors sold treats to enjoy as you admire the views.
  • Cost: €10-32 depending on whether you add on attractions/fast pass (around $11-36 USD).

• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: The Galleria is a 19th century arcade with a beautiful glass ceiling that houses cafes specialty shops, and luxury brand stores. Whether you are looking for a historic hat making boutique, a Prada bag (from the original Prada store, est. 1913), or dinner and cocktails, the Galleria is great way to spend an evening.
  • I would caution against dining in the Galleria. While the food was decent, the Galleria is a tourist destination, and you may enjoy a more authentic meal the further away you venture from the center.

Where to Eat

• Piz: In truth, I did not have much luck with food while visiting Milan. Many of the meals were disappointing and like tourist traps; however, I was pleasantly surprised by the pizza at Piz. The pizzeria is a 5 min walk from the Duomo Milano, but there can be a wait so plan accordingly.
  • Cost: € 10-12 (Around $11-14 USD).

Lake Como

Lake Como is a stunning destination for spritzes, architecture, and boat rides on the water while you admire George Clooney’s villa.

Where to Stay:

I choose not to stay in Lake Como because accommodations are quite pricey. If you are looking to splurge, there are villas and hotels along the water that would be unforgettable stays; however, if you are on a long holiday as I was and are hoping to keep the trip affordable, I recommend staying in Milan and taking the train to Lake Como.

Milan to Lake Como

• Train: Trenitalia has trains from Milano Centrale station to Como S. Giovanni several times daily. The train is around 35-40 minutes.
  • Cost: €5-6 (Around $6-8 USD).

What to do

• Como Cathedral: Located in the heart of Lake Como, the cathedral features gothic-style architecture dating back to the late 14th century. If you decide to visit, please be advised that modest attire is expected (skirts below the knee and shoulders covered).
  • Cost: Free admission

• Boat ride on Lake Como: While there is a ferry that offers a ride on the lake, I highly recommend a private boat tour if the budget permits. I visited Lake Como with my mother to celebrate her birthday and the boat tour was the highlight of her trip. The boat takes you along the lake and provides a tour that includes pointing out celebrity villas as well as history. The captain was wonderful and took several pictures of us before offering champagne for the ride back to the dock.
  • Cost: The tour will cost around €300-350 but please note that there may be another €100 fuel charge that is given to the captain in cash once you board (around $340-400 USD plus fuel charge).

• Visit Bellagio, Varenna, or Menaggio: You can take a ferry to nearby towns that are exceptionally beautiful. I did not get a chance to visit the other cities because the line for the ferry was at least 2 hours long in direct sunlight. There are both fast ferries that can take you to nearby towns in under 45 minutes while slow ferries last around 60-75 minutes. Slow ferries are typically more leisurely and have more stops. I highly recommend purchasing tickets to the fast ferry in advance so that you can ensure a seat and avoid lines during tourist season.
  • Cost: €10-15 ($11-16 USD).