We're spending 15 nights btwn Switz & Italy in October. Our last day, our only full day in Milan, is the birthday of one of male travelers. Since it is the last day of our trip the other three travelers are interested in splurging to forget we will soon be on our way home We are staying at Hotel Berna by the train station.

Help me plan a special day for the birthday boy (In his 50'S)- but keep in mind that we do need to sightsee!

One family member is giving me $100 (US) to start his day off righ - having Spumante and fruit/breakfast delivered to him. What else would you recommend to finish out a special day?

I was going to suggest a Campari and orange at Zucca in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. But then I came across this site which may be just what you're looking for:
http://www.travelplan.it/milan_guide...es_weekend.htm

Great site rbrazil - I hadn't seen travelplan before.

That is along the lines of what we'd like to do while in Milan - I'm just hoping someone else has suggestions for a few 'special' touches.

Check out what's happening at Teatro La Scala.

Last week we caught The Barber Of Seville (or Il Barbiere Di Siviglia) - a most boring snoozefest for an admittedly non-opera-lover like me, but a good one as far as my opera-lover wife was concerned.

They usually sell tickets at the theater box office 2 hours before the show with good seats.

Audiences are dressed up and the world-class theater is one of the grandest, no make that the grandest, that I've ever been in.

Dinner at Boccondivino, right in centro storico. No menu, great food and wine with locals only.

Looking up Boccondivino right now - sounds like you've been DRJ? What wowed you? I would like to give the birthday boy an idea of the menu at least

topping one last time - nothing truly 'special' just yet. I know y'all have ideas!

What does he like to do? Take him to Nobu and let him look for supermodels. Would a fabulous dinner wow him? I think you need to give more information if you want to get good suggestions.

For certain a fabulous dinner would wow him, as would 'happy hour' from the best view. He/We will want to savor the sights, sounds and smells since it will be our last day. Any place near the canals worthwhile? As I read about the canal area, it reminds me more of the Temple Bar district (Dublin) than laid back Venice.

It sounds funny, but I think this would be so much easier if it were a woman I was planning this for!

We had a great dinner at Posto di Conversazione in the Navagli.
http://www.postodiconversazione.it/

Very easy to get to on the metro. Lots of people, but also lots of bugs. Spray yourself with a mosquito repellent.

travelphile: I think the website pretty much says it all. Its a cozy and relatively informal place that specialises in salumi and cheese with wines to accompany. No menu, you take what is presented. Our last wine was a Brunello. Fantastic.

I have been thinking what I can recommend to you, but though I have been to Milan several times, nothing comes to mind. We had an excellent dinner at Boeucc; it's the oldest restaurant in Milan, a very classic room, with wood panelled walls and chandeliers. I don't know if he would like that kind of place.
Nobu for drinks maybe?
We passed a place that I had read about, but haven't been to, called La Banque. Quite close to the Duomo. I read that it's a hip club where you can eat as well as drink and dance. Certainly looked very chique (more a place for older people by the looks of it; not a disco!). Maybe someone else here has been there?