<BR>I posted some info a fews days ago, just after I did my other Como/Garda report, it was on here for a couple days and now it's disappeared into cyberspace! Hesitant to type much now but will come back with more, and will be happy to answer any questions tho. In general, had a great time, saw TLS without reservations. Our hotel was 50% off using our local Entertainment book, Hotel Lloyd, 4 stars, good location. Found wonderful little ristorantes on the canals. The Doumo was awesome!

it happened yesterday twice with my trip report as well. I spent a half an hour, twice, typing it up!!! Now it is gone

<BR>well, I'm trying again - here's a couple of excellent restaurants we went to down on the canals. The canals by the way are very interesting - ancient of course, designed and built by Da Vinci, but not as scenic as Amsterdam, Brugge etc. <BR>Il Torchietto is at 47 Via A. Sforza, and Il Brellin is on Vicola Dei Lavandai. We prefer to eat early, and upon arrival at both places (probably around 7:30-8 ) everything, the local shops etc. were closed down for the evening, and most cafes and ristorantes weren't open yet. The area looks a little "seedy" I'd say, with some questionable-looking people wandering around. At one of the places, while waiting outside for it to open, we'd started to wonder if we'd made a mistake. But when we went inside, it was lovely, perfect for us, wonderful food/service/vino/ambiance, and when we finally left, we walked outside to an entirely different atmosphere! The area was just coming alive - clubs and cafes were opening, tables and chairs being set up outside all along the canal, with people a little more dressed up, ready to go out for the evening. The sun had set, and lights were on creating a really pretty ambiance. I loved it!

I'm going to be living in Alessendria, Italy for three months on a student exchange program. I was wondering if you could recommend and sights or places to go that would interest a teenager. Even though I'm sure everything about living in another country will interest me. So if you have any travel tips or could tell me about your trip to Milano I would be quite pleased. Thanks much!

<BR>Well, Charlotte, since teenage ladies love malls and shopping, you've picked the right city for at least a couple days. Right on the same piazza where the largest and most Gothic cathedral (you can walk on the roof of this too!) in the world is, Piazza del Duomo, you'll find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele Arcade. Built in the mid l800's, it's now a unique glassed-in street, with an iron dome. Lots of book and record shops, other shops (unfortunately- from my point of view - there's a McDonalds too!) lots of eating spots etc. I saw lots of young people strolling here, and around the Duomo. One late afternoon, when Germany was playing Romania in the Euro 2000, a huge, huge screen was set up with a giant sound system, and hundreds and hundreds (probably close to a thousand) of people were watching the game, just sitting on the steps or ground, all very well-behaved, no un-ruliness, no one hawking beer or hot dogs! The screen was brought in on a big semi-truck, and was maybe the size of a regular movie screen. The scene was almost surreal, being right next to the cathedral! <BR>Hopefully, you'll get to see The Last Supper too - you should while you can in your lifetime because even with the restoration, it's fading, and I personally don't think much of the original will be around in another 50 or so years. <BR>For more shopping, though pricey (Madonna shops here!) you might like walking along Via Montenapoleon. All the famous stores and brands you've heard about. This is just North of the Duomo area. <BR>You are a lucky young lady to be able to spend three months there as an exchange student. Have a wonderful trip - I hope this has helped you a little.