first time Milan
 

We are going to Milan for a concert later in June and staying at the Hotel Jolly Touring (it's part of our package). We will fly into Malpensa airport and from what I have read taking the train to the central station is the way to get into the city and then the subway or taxi from there. It is my first time travelling abroad.

Aside from the concert, we would like to do some sight-seeing - the Duomo, Last Supper, etc and shopping - shoes, linens and some things for the home and of course some people watchign and dining;-)

We are also interested in a day trip - maybe to the the Lakes or Florence. Keeping in mind that home base is the hotel are the day trips possible? Any specific recommendations for day trips? - most likely on a Sunday or Monday.

thanks in advance,
Mary-Ellen

Hi Bruce,
Just want to let you know that the train that goes from Malpensa into Milan doesn't go to "The Central Station" but to another (that is equally central) called "Cadorna". They too have a subway station which is easy to understand called the "Metro". It's a good idea to always call it that so that Italians will understand. If you say subway or otherwise, it's not always clear.
Anyway once in the city get on the metro and take it to Duomo. It'll take you exactly there.
In that area you'll also find San Babila and Brera which are easily reached on foot and great for shopping/people watching. I reccommend my favorite restaurant for that evening that has a open air garden, "Terza Carbonia". Very good food, in a relaxed, but popular place. The number is 02/2953 1704. You'll have to get a taxi though. I personally eat there at least once a week. You won't be disappointed.
Day trips: I would like to tell you that on Sundays till Monday at 3pm, lot's of things and places are closed in Italy. I would reccommend going to Lakes Como or Garda. These are easy to reach by train or car. Otherwise if it's your first time, I highly reccommend you go to Venice for the day. Do a lake on a Sunday (that you'll have more chance to find things open) then Venice on Monday.
Venice is also easy to reach by train. If you leave to the central station at 8:30am you'll be in Venice by 11:15am. Spend the whole day and leave again at 6:30 pm and return to Milan around 9pm. I've done this trip twice and can say that it really is easy, and worth it. It's a long day, but you can eat lunch and dinner there and really see most of it in a day. I know a lot of people will say you have to spend time, but I found that one day was what most people needed. It's that small.
Anyway, that's what I'd do. Have a good time and see you around!
Melissa

You didn't say how long you'll be there. I would strongly recommend a day trip to Lake Como. It's about 45 minutes by train to the city of Como and then you can take a hydrofoil to Bellagio which takes another 45 minutes.
A day trip to Venice isn't such a bad idea either, though it'll take longer to get there.
As for Milan, you can cover the major sites (the Duomo, Last Supper) in a day.

You can find the number for the Cenacolo (Last Supper) and phone ahead to get a booking time. It's a short tram ride from the Duomo. Remember that Duomo offers elevator rides to the roof where you can wander around and look down on the city.

They've done a magnificanr job restoring the Last SUpper. I was quite impressed. They take you in small groups through a pair of doors that open one at a time to regulate the humidity. After the viewing, but before you leave the climate controlled area, is the gift shop. When we were there, the gift shop had its back door wide open to the outside because they wanted some fresh air!

The best way into Como for a daytrip is trhough Ferrovie Nord Milano, departing from Cadorna station (tha same station as for the Maplpensa express trains). Their trains will take you directly to the lake front and to a small Art Nouveau station. Also, a gorgeous bit of Milano that is usually overlooked by the tourists is Certosa DI Garegnano. It is quite easy to reach by train (number 14, I think) from Via TOrino, close to the Duomo. The Certosa is ope to visits from 10 to 12 am and from 15 to 16 pm. Really worth it. Finally, buy the one day or two days passes for subways, buses and trams.

Many thanks everyone for your advice. We will arrive in Milan on Thursday June 26 and leave for home on Tuesday July 1. I was thinking the Thursday and Friday will be our see Milan days - Last Supper, shopping, Duomo, etc.. Saturday is our concert day (Bruce Springsteen - please don't laugh, but we have heard that the Italian crowds are the best in the world and can't wait to experience it!). Now it looks like Sunday will be a day at the lake and Monday Venice (thanks for that tip!)

My husband would like to buy some wine while we are there. Is there a problem bringing wine back to the US?

Are there any must have purchases (pottery, souveniers, etc.) we should bring home to share?

thanks again in advance,
Mary-Ellen

Laugh? I will be at Bruce's concert too, with my mom and a bunch of friends!!! Allright, I do not have to fly in, since I live in Milano ^_^ If yuo need directions for getting to San Siro or other stuff, just mail me at [email protected] ^_^

I just returned from Milan a few days ago. First time there as well. Great people, great food, had a nice time. What really bugged me however was the extreme amount of graffiti literally everywhere, not just on public surfaces like train bridges and such, but on every surface of every private buliding throughout the entire city. I wonder if anything is being done about this, or indeed if it is even considered a problem. I have been to many major cities all over the world and never saw so much ugly 'street art'. This will be the main memory I have of my 2 days in Milan.

Everyone has good ideas. I would like to add to the easy day walk from the Last Supper to the Duomo, etc..carry a map on you that has been marked by your concierge so that if you get lost you can point to the spots you want to see to local folks who might not know English.Many do, but always carry a map with your hotel location marked just in case. Milan can take a good 2 days if you do it well and shop and relax as well. The boutiques at Malpensa can have better gift deals and boutique costs than in town, Plan ahead before you leave!! Allow nap time before the concert to cure jet lag. Be aware of travel time between major cities as connections and annoying holidays and strikes are not always on the printed schedule. Check with your hotel before going! And then relax and have fun!

Strikes are NEVER printed on the schedules, otherways they would not be strikes.

Thanks again for the tips everyone - drawing on a map with our destinations and hotel location to take along will be especially helpful I am sure. Our concert tickets arrived in the mail yesterday and I am getting excited to know that in just 2 weeks we leave. I am trying to put together a list of things I want to make sure we see, buy and eat now ;-)

Mary-Ellen