Milan on my own - Please Help!
 

I'm going to Milan on business. I arrive next Tuesday at noon at Linate Airport, take a taxi to the Crowne Plaza in San Donato Milanese and then wait until the next day to go to a workshop.

I'll work from 9 am to 5:30 pm Wednesday through Friday and then I'll have Saturday and Sunday.

I'm told I'm 15 minute walk from the subway that takes me to the city center.

What should I not miss? Is there enough for 2 full days? Where should I eat? What should I do after work?
I won't have a car.....should I take a tour?

Please educate me....I LOVE Italy but never been in Milan or gone by myself and this is a last minute business trip

I only spent part of one day in Milan but I think I'd enjoy two days there if I ever have the opportunity to go back.

Definitely visit the duomo. I loved walking around the top of the duomo - although it might be a bit cool up there in November.

Unfortunately, I didn't make a reservation to see "The Last Supper" but I will if I'm ever able to go back.

I've been half a dozen times. The duomo for sure. There is a huge shopping mall next to it, and at the far end of the mall is the opera house.

Watch out for gypsies, especially at the train station. With one encounter your wallet and watch will be gone and you won't know it until much later.

So don;t bring my good watch to Milan????

I never travel with expensive jewelry.

I've not been to Milan but have traveled solo to a few European cities. You need to print out some city guides from the internet &/or purchase a guidebook like "Let's Go" or similar for Milan.

After you arrive get a good city map. Most hotels offer them free, I like paper ones because I make notes on them.

Carry the business card from your hotel and have small change for taxis, in case you get lost you can always grab a cab back.

I don't know Milan well, but I would recommend you not miss:-

Duomo, Last Supper, Gallerie Vittorio Emmaneule II, Peck, la Scala, Academia Brera.

And the only place I've eaten there in living memory was the Torra di Pisa near the Brera. It was very good

I enjoy Milan for the energy of the city, the great window shopping in the high end boutiques, and the graciousness of the city. It has a nice feel to it, being more of a business than a tourist destination.

Staying in the center is definitely preferable but the public transport is good and frequent.

Check out the Brera District for cafes and entertainment.

Risotto is a specialty of the region so be sure to enjoy some. We were there last month and enjoyed several varieties during our stay.

You can hit the high spots of Milan in one day. On the second day take a train to Lugano, Switzerland (about a 1 hour train ride). It's my favorite city in the world and it is much more interesting than Milan.

Meanwhile it's just about Tuesday in Milan and OP will be landing in a few hours. Could we have a trip report when OP is back, please?

I'd like to second Sheila's recommendation of Peck, or to be more precise, Cracco Peck. Peck is a famous delicatessen but they opened a gourmet restaurant near the Duomo under the leadership of chef Carlo Cracco. A meal at this place may just be the highlight of your visit in Milan. The chef is very talented, he came from top restaurants like Alain Sendersen (Paris), Alain Ducasse (Monaco), Enoteca Pinnchiorri (Florence). You'll get high cuisine & very attentive personalized service at a bargain there. I would reserve.

Cracco-Peck
via Victor Hugo 4
20123 Milano
Tel: 02 876774