Milan

[rikki]

I am going to Zurich with my husband for 9 days in September. He will be busy with meetings for 3 of the days and I am thinking about going to Milan by myself. Any suggestions of what to see there or anywhere else (other than Germany) that would be a good 2-3 day trip from Zurich?

[Azucar]

I was in Milan with two friends for an extended weekend (I was living in Europe) and I really enjoyed it.

I know some people think Milan is nothing compared to Rome, Florence, Venice, etc. However, I thought it was the perfect place to relax in Italy. We weren't rushing off to every mueseum.

Some of the bigger sights are the Duomo and the (smaller) castle. We also got last minute tickets for the Opera (one of the most famous opera houses in the world) for 5euros. Obviously not front row seats, but still a very cool experience.

There's ton of shops there and some great restaurants. Milan is known for their brunch apparently, too.

Also, not sure when you would go, but I would try to get tickets for The Last Supper asap.

[catsarecute]

Go here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimitero_Monumentale_di_Milano

It is an incredibly beautiful cemetary.

[GilliC]

I didn't think there was much to see in Milan for 2-3 days unless you're also heading up to Lake Como or something. It was a bustling modern city, and I'm not much of a fashionista, so while some of the modern architecture was interesting, beyond the Duomo, La Scala, the Last Supper, and wandering past the fashion ships, we had trouble finding things to do.

What about visiting another part of Switzerland? And why not Germany? I'd love to visit the castles and vineyards along the Rhine, and I loved the weekend I spent in Munich!

[guestie]

Milan is tricky to reccommend. If you are into fashion and shopping, you will absolutely love Milan and it is the perfect destination to spend a few days by yourself. checking out the amazing boutiques and little cafes around town. If you aren't, I would suggest another destination.

Shopping areas:

Rinascente is the main department store and you can't miss it. It's located just off the Duomo. It's comparable to Saks and pretty awesome to spend a few hours. They have a great cosmetics selection. Just off the square is Galleria which has one of the largest Prada stores.

Walk to Brera from Duomo. This is a neighborhood where you will find tons of italian designers (mainly contemporary and indie designers), bath stores, independent perfumeries, shoe stores, Patrizia Pepe, etc. It's made up of small cobblestoned streets so you might want to get a shopping guide book for the area so you don't miss anything.

Near Brera is Parco Sempione which is the main park. It's nice to visit but there's not much to see there. There is also Castello on the park.

Corso Como 10 is walkable from Brera. This is a edited down boutique store opened by Carla Sozzani, the previous owner of Vogue Italia. There is a cafe for coffee, lunch or a cocktail. It's not the best food in Milan (not bad though) but a special atmosphere.

Montenapoleone is the area with all of the designer stores and definitely worth checking out. You might want to stop by Armani Casa on Via Manzoni, which is huge and interesting just to browse.

Peck is a foodie's paradise. It's a large grocery store and deli that has a great selection of very high quality cheese, pastries, loose teas, chocolate, wine, etc.

You also must visit Grom (across from La Scala) for Gelato and visit Luini Panzerotti for a panzerotti which is a fried pizza doughnut. Milan is a very social city and has a strong nightly aperitivo scene. When you buy a drink during traditional happy hour time, there is a buffet that is included at most places. I think you will be very comfortable and not out of place going out and getting a drink by yourself during aperitivo hours. The city center of Milan is very safe. Try Bulgari and Diana Majestic or the Gray Hotel for aperitivo if you are near Duomo.

In addition, there are several notable museums worth visiting, the Last Summer, La Scala and many churches. You can also take a day trip to Lake Como/ Bellagio with public transportation. It takes around an hour.

Hope this helps!

[guestie]

oops, holy typos in my post! Sorry.. Carla Sozzani is not the owner of Vogue Italia, but actually a previous editor for Italia Vogue and Elle Italia and sister to Franca Sozzani, current editor for Vogue. That will give an idea of what you have to look forward to at Corso Como 10 if you are into fashion. There are lots of awesome hotels in Milan but it's worth mentioning that Corso Como 10 also has a tiny 3 room bed and breakfast next to do the gallery, cafe and store called 3 rooms. It might be a unique place to stay there on your own. I should also mention that aperitivo is not the same as American happy hour and is later in the evening around 7 to 9.

[rikki]

Thanks so much for all of the great tips. I think I'll stick with Milan. Sounds like plenty to do to keep myself busy for a few days.

The reason I don't want to go to Germany is that I have been before and will go at the end of this trip.

[travelingjen]

We visited Milan for one day last September during our two week trip to Italy. I have a blog entry from that trip here: wanderlusttraveler.blogspot.com/2012/02/milan-italy-sightseeing-dining-and.html

In addition to visiting Milan, you should definitely make your way to Lake Como since it's so close!

[basilosaurus]

I spent a couple weeks with my sister in Milan when she was studying there, and I was underwhelmed. Seriously, I'd have been fine with just a few hour layover between trains to see the Duomo. I was even there during fashion week, and it wasn't all that exciting. I'd rather go to Como or Maggiore. Bergamo was actually a nice little town to day trip to.

ETA Another northern Italian spot that I really enjoyed was Torino. Have you been to that area?

[allibally]

I think you should do to Lugano in the Italian part of Switzerland. It's so beautiful and a totally different place then Zurich. Or you could do quick day trip from Zurich.

We only did a day trip to Lugano and stopped at a glacier pass on our way there. So didn't have a whole lot of time. We just walk around and enjoyed it. We also took a cogwheel train up one of the mountains and had a beautiful view.

[ktkl09]

Agreed with above poster, Lugano in Switzerland is beautiful but I'm not sure if there is much to do for 3 days by yourself, without a car?

Milan isn't that interesting, I would also recommend Torino. Would Venice be too far?

[Deleted]

Another vote for Lugano...it is like a piece of Italy within the Swiss borders and it was only a few hours away from Zurich on the train.
I lived in Italy and Switzerland and would take 10 trips to lugano over 1 to milan,

[wise_rita]

Ditto the 'meh' on Milan. I'd check where budget airlines fly from Zurich. There's bound to be more interesting places.

[ktkl09]

Really look into Lugano and the whole "Ticino" area of Switzerland. It is beautiful and like a little piece of cleaner Italy in Switzerland.

[allibally]

May 31, 2012 14:30:40 GMT -5 @ktkl09 said:

Agreed with above poster, Lugano in Switzerland is beautiful but I'm not sure if there is much to do for 3 days by yourself, without a car?

Transport is so good in CH though. Short trips might not be too expensive via the S-Bahn. Get's you 30-60 minutes out of the city.

Personally I would spent a day on one of the swimming spots on the lake. Then just explore the city.