Susan Serven

Milan is one of the most incredible places to visit.

Not only is there so much history (ancient and more recently – it was a heavily bombed industrial center and the capital of the Italian Resistance after 1943), there’s fashion, wonderful food, shopping, and the art and culture is, of course, incredible.

I had about 72 hours to spend in this magnificent city during a work trip – here are some highlights and tips:

Since I only had a couple of days, I decided to splurge and stay at the Palazzo Parigi, a fairly newly-renovated (2013) luxury hotel built to combine the elegance of both Milan and Paris. It was built on the site of the former 17th-century Palazzo Cramer. I have never stayed at a more beautiful place in my life (the Balmoral Hotel in Scotland is a very close second).

From there I booked a local guide for two days so I could see what I wanted to see and also explore on my own.

First stop, a full walking tour of Milan’s Centro Storico and Brera neighborhoods to get acquainted with this beautiful city.

My guide took me from my hotel to the neighborhood around the Duomo, Centro Storico, which is the historic center, and around to the adjacent Brera district. Brera is known as the artistic heart of Milan, with a charming, cobblestone street vibe, while the Centro Storico is the bustling central area home to the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Leonardo DaVinci museum and other major attractions.

Centro Storico

What it is: The central, historic core of Milan, which is a major hub for iconic landmarks and cultural sites. Very safe and excellent public transport.

Brera

What it is: An adjacent neighborhood to the Centro Storico, considered the artistic and most fashionable part of the city. It is known for its charming, cobblestone streets, 18th-century buildings, and a high concentration of art galleries, studios, and boutiques, great shopping, especially on the side streets.

Don’t miss:  

The Duomo – sign up online as soon as you know you’ll be visiting, it gets booked quickly. Be sure to head down to the Duomo di Milano Archeological Area, which is an archeological site  located beneath the cathedral. It features the remains of ancient religious structures dating back to the early Christian period and is included with your ticket to the cathedral.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – Italy's oldest active shopping arcade and a major landmark of Milan. Housed within a four-story double arcade in the center of town, you’ll recognize its iconic glass dome, the Galleria is named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy.

Castello Sforzesco  - The Sforza Castle is a medieval fortification located in Milan, northern Italy. It was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, on the remnants of a 14th-century fortification.At the end of the fifteenth century, Leonardo da Vinci worked here, under the patronage of Ludovico il Moro. Later renovated and enlarged, in the 16th and 17th centuries it was one of the largest citadels in Europe.

Leonardo's Last Supper, the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie – according to its website: >>Located on the northern wall of the refectory of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, this work is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an unprecedented masterpiece of art history. <

The Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology - dedicated to painter, inventor and scientist Leonardo da Vinci, is the largest science and technology museum in Italy. There are many interactive displays, exhibits.

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana - Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is one of Milano's most important museums, inextricably linked to three geniuses of Italian art: Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael.The Pinacoteca is located near the Duomo and Via Torino, right over Milano’s ancient Roman center, at the intersection of the main Cardo and Decumanus roads.

This was one of my favorite places, I loved the dark rooms with displays of Da Vinci’s work, incredible.

Restaurants: there are so many, but my favorite was Boeucc Milano – the oldest restaurant in Milan, c1696. Incredible food, music, go for lunch, dinner, make a reservation as soon as you know the dates you’ll be in Milan.

If you have longer than 72 hours you can do a full day’s road trip to the Dolomites; if you have a week you can do a loop and include Lake Como as well.

But make time to experience this memorable city on its own, if you can.