One more question...there's a new message thread on the UK page about buying prescription glasses in Europe. I know many of the great frames are made by Italian companies and I have a new RX so it would be a fun "souvenir" to get a pair of glasses made while I'm in Milan. But, I only wear glasses when I'm sick or on a long plane flight, so don't want to spend too much. Are there any local eyeglass chains in Italy that are reasonably/lower priced, that the regular working folks use? Something like a LensCrafter or Pearle Vision in the US. Thanks!

about the towns being shut down-- Como is not completely a resort town. It will not be shut down and I still think it would be worth the trip.

Sandralist mentioned Luini; we had lunch there on our full day in Milan. It's close to the Duomo and can get pretty busy, but the price is right and we enjoyed our selection of savory and dessert panzerotti.

Lee Ann