Hello! I have so many questions I don't know where to start. My husband will be in Milan for 2 weeks for business and I will join him the 2nd week. I have not traveled outside the U.S. in 30 years, so I am a little intimidated. I am trying to learn as much about the area, culture, language, etc. as quickly as possible. I will be there for 1 week. What do you advise for me do will he works during the day? Should I strike out on my own, or try to find a guide? I have heard that it is terribly expensive there. What is the best way to plan for our budget? I am cramming to learn as my Italian as possible with language CD's that I have purchased. This is my dream come true but I want to not run myself ragged trying to see everything. I want to see some beautiful art, great churches and really soak up the culture. Please advise.
Also, do you know of a diet to eat for a few days that will help with jet lag? Thanks!

Milan's a very cool place, but not a touristy one. I wouldn't worry too much about language, other than polite hellos and so forth. I'd definitely do some reading ahead of time re Milan's history, as the lack of tourists means that it's not quite as accessible sa places like Rome and Venice. A guide would be cool for a day or so; better yet, one of your husband's Italian colleagues will likely suggest this his wife spend a bit of time out with you if your husband drops the hint that you'll be a bit adrift while he toils.

This is the one place in Italy where I'd definitely pay attention to my wardrobe. Alice Twain's disclaimers to the contrary, milanesi are some of the best-dressed, most attractive people to walk the earth. Think conservative, nicely cut things. On the other hand if you don't normally notice how other people dress don't fret over it.

Milan is fairly expensive, but not horrifically so. Assuming that your husband's employer picks up the hotel bill, I'd encourage you to not sweat the small stuff.

There's no magic diet for jet lag, but do be sure to keep hydrated, and assume local meal times immediately upon arrival. A relatively high fiber diet will keep your insides happy (believe me, the experienced traveller pays attention to these things), and fortunately the normal diet in Italy includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Your "soak up the culture" point of view will be perfect for Milan, and a week's time will provide plenty of opportunity.

You are doing everything right. Relax, you are going to have a ball.

Consider short train trips to outlying sights, should you find some of interest in your research. You might be surprised what 30 minutes on a train can get you.

The reason I think differently for is that I live in Milano. You may find some very nicely dresed crowds as long as you stay in the center of Milano, but than you would see people dressed more or less the same way in Manhattan: the center of Milano IS Manhattan of sorts, with lawyers and to management guys roaminf freely on its streets! Just try to venture a little further from the center and you will see how Italians really dress...
instead of a guide, I would check out the tourist tram: a hop-on hop-off tour of Milano on a wooden early XX century tram. Milano is also a great base for some good daytrips. You may spend a day in Bergamo, Como, Parma, Turin, Cremona, all within less than 1 hour and a half by train.

Get a good guidebook for north Italy, such as Fodors and take a look at your options. A week will go faster than you can imagine in this great part of Italy. Click on "Destinations" above, scroll down to Italy and read the suggested itineraries already prepare by Fodors for Milan, which also includes a suggested 3-day itinerary for Lombardy.

As with most cities in Europe, the interesting old bits in Milan are quite close together. The Duomo, the Galleria and the S'forza Castle are all within walking distance and definitely worth seeing. The castle is actually a museum and you could easily spend a day or more here. You would not need a guide for any of these sights, IMO, provided you have a good guidebook and have done some reading about what you are seeing.

Of course you will want to view the Last Supper. You will need advance reservations and must show up 15 minutes before your appointed time. If you will be in Milan between now and September make a reservation as soon as you can, as this is the popular tourist season. The convent where the painting is located is closed on Monday, so fit this into your schedule. Your hotel should be able to purchase tickets for you now, or you can order by phone, call 011-39-02-89421146 form the US, or go to www.hellomilano.com/sights/sightlastsupper.htm for information.

Lake Como is about an hour by train or bus and would definitely be worth a day trip, you could do this by yourself and I am sure there are guided day trips by bus as well. Your hotel should have information.

Shopping is also a great pastime in Milan. There are so many little boutiques run by designers just starting out, as well as larger ones for established designers. All fun to look, even if you don't buy anything.

Don't worry so much about speaking Italian, as you won't need it to get around. Of course, if you want to learn it to be polite and enjoy your more, then good for you. However, English in my experience English is widely spoken (esp. in shops and restaurants) and most menus will also be in English.

Hi Sarah,
Last March I joined my husband for a long weekend in Milan before heading off to Venice together. I think you've received excellent advice here! Just wanted to chime in some encouragement, as I think you're in for a wonderful time. Here's a couple observations I'd pass on:
1. Most of the shop and restaurant workers spoke very good English. I had learned some basic polite phrases (How much is that? I'll have the ... etc)but everybody immediately switched to English for me! For complicated stuff, learn how to say "Do you speak English?" in Italian.
2. The city is so incredibly clean and nicely laid out. Wonderful shopping everywhere, although everything was high end and quite expensive. THE most gorgeous children's clothes. The ladies' sizes ran a lot smaller than American cut clothes, however!
3. Find Peck. This is a grocery store, cafe, wine boutique extraordinaire! I went in every day and never tired of the displays and treats. I also felt very comfortable there alone for breakfast, lunch, or tea.
4. Definitely take a train out of the city. Even if no companions are available, get yourself a round trip ticket and go for it! Try to book something first class on a Eurostar just for the fun of it. The European train experience is so different from the American, and it is wonderful to see the countryside. Pick one of Alice Twain's suggestions after you read up on them.
5. Besides the fiber, I've always read it's a good idea to have some of the local yogurt when you arrive somewhere. It supposedly helps to keep you from picking up local viruses. ??? Don't know the biology of it, but I do it, and it coincidently seems to work! Also, I find the seasonal peaches in Europe to be the most delicious things on the face of this earth. You've got to try one!
6. Your hotel will probably have brochures for group tours that you can join any particular day. If you hire a private guide or taxi, be sure to confirm the price ahead of time. Even when going from the airport to your hotel, ASK the price first. I was told by the hotel it would be "around" 20 EU, I was charged 50EU. My husband paid 30 EU! Also, tipping is not required or expected for cab rides. There has been great debate at this site about restaurant tipping, and the general consensus was to round up slightly.
Sharing a new experience is such a wonderful way to reconnect with a spouse. I wish you a marvelous romantic adventure!

Cicerone, let me not agre with you. Despite the fact that Milano is a very compact city, it has great places of interest that are NOT within walking distance. For instance, Certosa di Garegano, which is one of the most gorgeous churches of Milano, and which is IMHO a great must see, despite being overlooked by most guides, cannot be reached except by tram, with a 40 minute ride from Duomo. The same is true for the Navigli: while Darsena (the place where the two main surviving Navigli come toghether) can be reached on foot, but to truly explore the area you will need either a bicicle or to take a boat tour. Generally guidebooks are very partial to Milano: aside from the few interest spots in the center (Duomo, Galleria, Scala, Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera) they just concentrate on shopping and business, forgetting everything else. I have neve seen the incredible false bay at Santa Maria presso San Satiro being named in a guidebook!!!

Dreamer2
None of the destination I have listed can be reached via Eurostar trains from Milano. They are allo short-distance trips that can be done through low cathegory trains (mainly Interregionale or Regionale). The best way to Como is not even through Trenitalia trains, much better to take the Ferrovie Nord Milano at Cadorna station for its very scenic arrival on the lakeside. None of these trains allow booking, so tickets can be bought the very day of departure.

Thank you all for replying to my inquiry. As a novice to Fodors, I wasn't quite sure how this was going to work. Thanks so much for the tips regarding day trips to Bergamo, Como, and Turin.
Thanks Alice for the insight. It helps to have someone that lives there with good inside info!
Thanks Dreamer2! You made me feel much more confident that I can do this. Especially the comments about Peck's. Will it be hard to find?
I have been reading a lot of Rick Steve's books and listening to Italian CD's trying to learn a few polite phrases so I won't come off as an ugly American.
I do have one question though. In both Rick Steve's books, and several people that have traveled to Italy, I keep hearing about pickpockets and theivery. Is it as bad as I have read and keep hearing about? I know I am probably a little paranoid since I have not been out of the US in a while and live in a medium size city where crime is low, but should I be concerned? Will I be okay traveling alone during the week while my husband is at work if I take day trips? Thanks for your insight!

I've only passed thru Milan, but wanted to add, if you and your husband have a night free together, the train to Venice is only ~3-1/2 hrs (each way).

As for safety and pickpockets, do get yourself organized, with a good shoulder bag that can go across your body crossways (is what I use) and keep your hand on it in crowded places. Since you will be staying in a hotel and with your husband, I imagine you only need money for 1 day in your pocketbook.

My favorite single woman traveling tip, or really for anyone in a new city TAKE the business card from your hotel and carry it at all times. If you get terribly lost you can find a taxi to take you back (ask the price first as always).

Best wishes for a smooth and safe trip!

I strongly recommend you buy a copy of the Insight Compact Guide for Milan. It's an excellent guide for the city. I got a copy at either Barnes & Noble or Border's. If you can't find or order one, contact them at [email protected]
I've never found any other publication which included so much helpful info about Milan.

Milano is known for being one of the safest big cities of Europe, with crime levels that are only slightly highier than those in Tokyo. Just pay a bit of attention when you are in big crowds and on the buses/subway. I usually have a shoulder bag, carry it with eother the strap over one shoulder or across the body, depending on how heavy it is. When in crowds or on the subway I lay one hand over it. Never had a problem.

I have been to Milan several times, and have never had a problem with pickpockets; just be sensible, as you would in any big city. I must admit that I go there mainly to shop! There is a shop called 10 Corso Como which is wonderful to visit, even if you don't buy. It's like a big warehouse space with lots of unusual clothes and accessories. There is a lovely courtyard restaurant too. And I agree with a previous message about Peck; wonderful place, very near the Duomo.

For art check out the Ambrosiana gallery, it's just off of Via Dante.

For art check out the Ambrosiana gallery, it's just off of Via Dante. Has a lot of great Renaissance paintings, and the building itself is neat.

And there is Torre Branca. You can climb it with an elevator for a broad landscape of the city. On clear days, you will see Monte Rosa.