jamikins

There are so many wonderful towns near Montepulciano that we never found the need to leave the area. We just don't like wasting time in the car when we can be enjoying the villages, especially in potentially bad weather.

neckervd

Malpensa Express timetable:
http://www.malpensaexpress.it/en/mal...timetable.aspx
http://www.trenord.it/en/the-lines/m...a-express.aspx

WeisserTee

First, Milan. We really like the city and think it's worth two nights. If they like shopping, you might set them loose in La Rinascente department store for an hour or so. La Rinascente is also a nice place to have lunch as you get a direct view of the Duomo's roof.

FWIW, when we were there in May of this year, we stayed at the NH President and give it big thumbs up. It's a short walk to the Duomo and galerias (about 5 mins), right next to one of the main taxi stands, and the rooms are very comfortable and have big balconies.

As for Tuscany being damp and dreary, nuts. Damp maybe, dreary no way! I love driving around Europe at that time of year and there's a special vibe to European villages, towns and cities when it gets dark early. (And I side with Sandralist -- nytraveler is also addicted to spouting rubbish about Basel which I know a LOT better than she does [I live there]).

PalenQ

how long does the express take? do you recall?>

29 minutes as per neckervd's link - from Cardona that is with 36 trains a day (vs 14 express trains from Centrale to Malpensa. Not sure there would be a car drop off at Cardona however.

bvlenci

My husband and I spent four days in Milan during the Christmas season. My husband went to university in Milan, but I had been there before only for brief visits. We had a wonderful time, and didn't get to do all the things we wanted to.

Many of the trams of Milan were decorated with Christmas lights; some of them were fitted out with tables and served dinner. The Grande Naviglio (Great Canal) was also decorated with lights and was very festive. There are some great restaurants and bars at the canalside. There were always traditional musicians in the Piazza del Duomo, playing traditional Italian Christmas music.

As mentioned, the Brera Gallery is one of Italy's great museums, although it's not very large. The Sforza Castle has several museums inside the castle grounds, but this is one of the things we didn't get to explore very much. There were several great temporary exhibits while we were there, including a special exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci's John the Baptist, from the Louvre. (Of course, that wouldn't be there again this year, but it's an example of some of the cultural opportunities you usually have in Milan.) There are also several very early Christian churches in Milan, including the beautiful 12th century Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, the patron saint of Milan.

If you visit the duomo, don't miss the opportunity to go up to the upper terraces to see the fantastic Gothic sculptures on the roof. (You can also get a good view of the roof from the dining terrace on the upper floor of the Rinascente department store, which is also a great place to shop.)

In Italy, the Christmas season ends with Epiphany (Twelfth Night), so everything will still be festive when you're there.

We had such a wonderful time in Milan, that we're planning to return there this coming year, also to see an opera at La Scala.

Jean

Here's a link to the 'dinner trams' mentioned by bvlenci. We have wanted to do this but haven't been able to fit a night in Milan into recent or upcoming trips.

http://www.atm.it/EN/ALTRISERVIZI/TE...ATMosfera.aspx

PalenQ

Yes it's cool to trash Milan but as several above say it can be as fun and interesting as any Italian city outside of the big 3 - Venice, Florence and Rome - folks who never looked around Milan much and see the things like bvienci and others mention have given it short shrift and then trash it as, outside the Duomo and the Last Supper, not even worth a day before your flight - how myopic that is IMO - I've stayed in Milan for days and always found it a fascinating place - some neat parks too.

jujubean

Thanks all,

I think that our plan will be to spend the last 2 nights in Milan. We really do want to see the Duomo and Last Supper, maybe the Brera ---and I think kawh nailed it - it would just be too hectic to drive up to Milan and try and see everything in one afternoon, then scramble to the airport the next morning - particularly when it gets dark earlier. As we all know - 2 nights is only one day and it will take a full day to see those 2 things I think.

So now the question is where to drop the car ….I'll check into Cardona and some other options. But certainly ideas are welcome!!

kawh

we like to drop in the nearest city that has a car place right by the train... but you could drop at the airport. if you want to drive into the city, i know there are places right by the main train station. i would talk to the car rental place (we use kemwel) by phone and find out where you can drop with little fee and with a train within a block or so. some places are closed saturdays, some sundays etc etc. i would go by ease of dropoff and plan from there. after that, easy metro into city center and off you go!

WeisserTee

"i know there are places right by the main train station."

Be advised that there is a massive reconstruction project going on around Milano Centrale, which has affected parking, taxi access, drop-offs etc. Fingers crossed that it will be finished by December, but no guarantees...

progol

I'm glad you decided to stay 2 nights in Milan -- we really enjoyed the city and found it an interesting city. It's not the quaint cities of the big 3, but it has a lot of wonderful architecture and plenty to see and do.

LucyStanmore

There are many things to see in Milan, even though it's winter and Tuscany is so much better in the summer, so if I were you, I would shorten my stay in Tuscany and stay more days in Milan. They have cathedrals, museums, castles and piazzas and they all deserve a visit. Stay at least 2-3 days in Milan.

tarquin

kawh, thank you for the hotel recommendation.

kawh

tarquin... you are welcome, though i was just using it as a reference, we LOVE this place. it's so very affordable and the location is wonderful. however, as i said, it's not the least bit fancy. (not sure whether there are phones in the rooms.) it is a loud street (well, it's milan) but i like to put in earplugs and sleep with the windows wide open. sheets are clean, breakfast is passable. the price can't be beat.

jamikins

I think it depends on personal preference...I would never shorten my time in Tuscany for Milan. Tuscany was wonderful in winter but we lived the atmosphere.