Milan
 

Hello all,

I will be spending a few days in Milan this June with my 14 year old son...will be there to see Pearl Jam :)....was wondering if you guys have any recommendations on must see sights, restaraunts, museums, etc. Any feedback is welcome!!

Thanks,

Blake

Make a reservation to see the Last Supper- it really is a memorable experience, whatever your religious orientation. Go see the Duomo (exiting the Metro by the Duomo is breathtaking- you walk up and out and Voila, there it is!). The Sforza Palace was also worth touring. We didn't spend a long time in Milan but enjoyed it more than we were led to expect.

Make sure you purchase Last Supper tickets quickly. Already Sold out through May 5, 2014. Here is website link. http://www.vivaticket.it/index.php You can pick language on top left. I understand there are tours that take you to the Duomo, Gallery, Sforza Castle and a couple of other sites and guarantees entry to Last Supper should you not get tickets on time. Which is the dilemma I have since my friends and are will be in Milan April 23-May 2 (friend on business trip), and official site for Last Supper shows no tickets available for those dates. :(

In the evening head for the Navigli district for the passeggiata (evening stroll) and wander around. There are three streets along a canal jammed with clubs, bars, restaurants, gelotarias, a flea market (mercato di pulci), and good for people watching. The area is a former factory zone now gentrified into a great nighttime venue.

The Leonardo Museum is pretty neat and close to a metro stop.

Go into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele at the Piazza Duomo and find the "Torino." As you enter the galleria at the intersection turn left to find the ceramic bull in the floor. It's easy to find because there are always people around it. When it's your turn place the heel of your shoe on its testicles and spin. This is a Milanese ritual for good luck. So many people do this the ceramic piece needs replaced every several years.

After spinning on the bull's balls continue walking with your back to the Piazza Duomo and at the end turn right on Via Santa Radegonda 16 and walk down the street several blocks to Luini on the left. They sell panzarotti (fried calzone) stuffed with all sorts of good things. It's easy to find because people will be all over the street in line and eating on the sidewalk.

Buon viaggio,

Consider daytrips: I think Turin is fantastic, and much more naturally pretty and easy than Milan; I haven't been to Lake Como but that's probably worth looking into (maybe others will have something to say); a swing east (Verona or Vicenza or Padua or Venice) might be worth it - - Venice is the obvious possibility, but can be a plodding hell for daytrippers - - Padua might be the most rewarding of the bunch.

Thank you all for the the tips!!!

rbciao....that bull thing sounds badass!! totally going to do it!! haha