Couple of days in Milan - suggestions

[Mudball]

Got some relatively cheaper flights for family over Easter to Milan.. flying in and out of Melpensa on odd hours. Haven’t figured anything else out. Not been there in decades.

Will do the usual Duomo… maybe a day trip to pisa. Don’t intend to get a car only public transport.

Any recommendations, any off piste with teenagers that can keep them off the phone

 

[kp17]

Go see Inter or AC at the san siro before they move stadium

 

[Hobbit]

If you’re thinking of ‘tripping’ as far as Pisa, I go to Florence instead. We’ve Italy’d for 30+ years, doing from the NE, Venice, Rimini, down both sides and around Sicily. Florence is my favourite city.

 

[Mudball]

If you’re thinking of ‘tripping’ as far as Pisa, I go to Florence instead. We’ve Italy’d for 30+ years, doing from the NE, Venice, Rimini, down both sides and around Sicily. Florence is my favourite city.

Mrs now saying Bologna instead… never been there .. so maybe option

 

[Red devil]

Mrs now saying Bologna instead… never been there .. so maybe option

Nice place Bologna, compact so not too much trudging about.

 

[kp17]

Bologna is fantastic, so many nice wee restaurants. The name escapes me but there is a sort of main drag with a few side streets off it, loads of local shops and butchers etc. but the actual restaurants anywhere roundabout there are out of this world. You wouldn’t even know it walking by, a couple tables outside etc. it’s amazing.

You will have a great time in Bologna

 

[KenL]

If you’re thinking of ‘tripping’ as far as Pisa, I go to Florence instead. We’ve Italy’d for 30+ years, doing from the NE, Venice, Rimini, down both sides and around Sicily. Florence is my favourite city.

Agreed. Apart from the tower, Pisa isn’t very nice.

 

[Tashyboy]

Catch a train from Cardona train station to Como. Nice for a walk around there, go up the funicular railway or get on a boat to go on the lake, Bellagio is very very nice, and a pal told me it is possible to get a train from Milan to Baellagio but I have never done it. Once drive from Milan to Lago Maggiore.You can jump on a bot which does a triangular route from Bavena to Iosla Bella ( Beautiful island) Stresa back to bavena. isola Bella is gorgeous.
If having a night out in Milan have a trip down To Navigli ( canal) it is buzzing down there. I agree try and get to the San Siro. Forza Inter.

 

[Tashyboy]

Oh ah,If you stand with your back to the Duomo, as you look down the square, to the right is the Emmanuel Vittorio 11 gallery, it is very nice in there. In the middle of that/crossroads there is a small hole in the floor. Stick your heel in it and spin around 360. It is supposed to bring luck. You will need it because if you walk through the gallery the world famous La Scalia theatre is down there. On that road is where all the exclusive shops are.
I went to Milan one long weekend for my 40th, I ended up getting food poisoning, but on the Sunday we went to Como and Como FC were playing at home.We went to watch the football and it was fantastic.The backdrop of the alps against the stadium was fantastic.

 

[Red devil]

If you’re thinking of ‘tripping’ as far as Pisa, I go to Florence instead. We’ve Italy’d for 30+ years, doing from the NE, Venice, Rimini, down both sides and around Sicily. Florence is my favourite city.

Was in Florence/Firenze a fortnight ago. It was very busy then. Can't imagine what it must be like in July and August. Being old biddies thankfully we don't holiday then.

 

[Bazz]

I don't know what I was expecting but Pisa is literally just the tower. Wouldn't do a day trip there personally.

 

[Mudball]

I don't know what I was expecting but Pisa is literally just the tower. Wouldn't do a day trip there personally.

I went there about 15 years ago.. went to the tower and had some pizza nearby and headed home. Only reason to go back would be to show the kids.. nothing else.

 

[Bazz]

I went there about 15 years ago.. went to the tower and had some pizza nearby and headed home. Only reason to go back would be to show the kids.. nothing else.

Made the mistake of doing an overnighter as part of multi city trip. Cracking sandwich in a small shop though.

 

[Mudball]

just doing some spots for Milan. Had to buy a Duomo ticket from a third party. Official tour tickets timing does not work.

The last supper is a bigger rip off. Official tickets only available in July. But available via third parties at exorbitant prices..

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Another vote for the Lake Como area, under an hour by train from Milan, it’s just lovely.

If going to Florence, book the Uffizi so much to see there

 

[Mudball]

Another vote for the Lake Como area, under an hour by train from Milan, it’s just lovely.

If going to Florence, book the Uffizi so much to see there

Got vetoed... esp since i said, Lake Como is just another body of water and we can go to Lake District instead. Now eyes set on Bologna..

 

[Mudball]

Absolutely loved Milan - Bologna. Spent 2 nights in Milan and one night in Bologna. only downside is, it is full of Americans.

Milan: We have been there before and done the Duomo. But this time we took a 2 hour guided trip. learnt so much more and the the guide was very good. Plenty of aperitives and Pizzas. Stumbled onto a pizzaria near the hotel and then had dinner twice there. Basically walked around and did regular tourist bits.

Bologna: Absolute revelation. Did not know anything about it, before we went there. Thought it was about food, but blown away by history and culture. lost count of churches we went to. Food was AMAZING. Relatively cheap. We stood in line for lunch and dinner places - just off the touristy places. The #1 rated Ragu place in Bologna. Stood in line for an hour to get in. Mains were good, and their #1 pasta dish was 9 euros. Other places have fresh pasta being made in front of house. No meal & wine went past 60-70 euros. Will definitely be visiting again.

hotel and transport was most expensive. If you are confident to drive in the narrow alleys of Italy, then hire a car. It also gives freedom.

On Easter Sat, we planned to take the morning train to Bologna, but it felt like all of milan had the same idea. I had forgotten to book train tickets. So rocked up and had to buy last mins tickets. Abso rip off.
We ended up buying the last 3 business class tickets from Milan to Bologna on the high speed trains. It is slightly longer than London-Birmingham. Takes 1 hour 14 mins, no bus replacement on a weekend either but costs a whopping 77 euros !!! Thanks god we have for British Rail

Bologna is highly recommended