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Milan - Italy Travel Information
Milan is the capital of sophistication in Italy and the financial and commercial centre of the country, attracting fashion fundis, opera lovers, the young, the beautiful and the bold. Shopping, eating and clubbing is serious business here and it is no surprise that the city boasts the world's most beautiful shopping mall, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Milanese icons of La Scala Theatre (Teatro della Scala) and the Gothic Duomo, one of the world's largest churches, are iconic attractions in Milan. Italy travel in Milan and Milan holiday packages offer a holiday packed with cultural attractions in the world's most sophisticated city. The city's urban tentacles stretch for miles, although the significant historical attractions are contained between the two landmark sites - the Duomo and the Sforzesco Castle. These reside within the inner loop of the city's concentric design, which is split into four squares: Piazza Duomo, Piazza Cairoli, Piazza Cordusio and Piazza san Babila. The modern civic centre lies to the northwest, around Mussolini's colossal train station built in 1931. A skyline of skyscrapers from which the sleek Pirelli Tower emerges dominates the area around here. The Fiera district that stretches around Porta Genova station is the nub for trade and fashion fairs.
Milan, Italy travel and Milan holiday packages offer the perfect chance to explore the unique city, with luxurious accommodation and flights included in a bargain price. Try cheap package holidays in Italy from Holidays Direct and explore the sophisticated capital in style.
Duomo (Cathedral)
Towering over the Duomo Piazza is the world's largest Gothic cathedral of the same name. Its construction began in 1386 and continued sporadically until Napoleon ordered its completion in 1809. Its lengthy creation bestowed on it 3,400 statues, 135 spires and 96 gargoyles. It is best visited in full sunshine when the colourful mosaic of its stained glass windows illuminates the interior. The church is a five-aisled cruciform seating 40,000 worshippers. The 16th-century marble tomb of Giacomo de Medici lies in the south transept and lying buried at its heart is St Charles Borromeo, the cathedral's most important benefactor. Every year in May and September a nail from the cross of Christ is displayed to worshippers and is retrieved from its resting place by the bishop who is hoisted to the nivola to reach it. Across the piazza in the Palazzo Reale is the Museo del Duomo that displays the treasures from the cathedral. It also houses the Museo d'Arte Contomporanea, showcasing a collection of Italian Futurist art.
Address: Piazza del Duomo 18; Telephone: (02) 7202 2656; Opening time: Daily 7am to 7pm. The dome is open from 9am daily, closing between 5pm and 6.30pm depending on the season. Treasury: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm (Saturday until 5pm), Sunday 1.30pm to 4pm; Admission: Free (Cathedral); €1 (Treasury); €6 (terrace by lifts); €4 (terrace by stairs); admission including the museum is €8
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a glass-domed arcade, which stands four stories high and extends from the Duomo Cathedral to the Piazza della Scala. It was originally built as a link to the opera house but has become a fashionable place to hang out, sip coffee or camparis, or take a stroll through its many exclusive shops. Milanese gather in this conservatory to escape the winter rains or to socialise after a busy working day.
Address: Piazza del Duomo
Theatre Museum at La Scala (Museo Teatrale alla Scala)
Situated on the site of the Church of Santa Maria alla Scala is the world-renowned opera house, the Museo Teatrale alla Scala. The Museum provides a wealth of mementos from the opera house dedicated to the nation's beloved composers and performers. These include Rossini, Puccini and Toscanini. Two halls are devoted to Verdi alone and contain memorabilia such as the spinet on which he learnt to play, hand-written scores and the baton given to him after the momentous reception of Aida.
Portofino
Portofino is a beautiful coastal village situated on the sun kissed stretch of Italian Mediterranean in a small cove. It has long been the playground for the rich and famous, attracting the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace. It is not surprising therefore that its exclusivity and prices rose to match its holidaymakers. The scenic surrounds can be explored from the outlying nature reserve graced with cypress and olive slopes. Set off from here on a 90-minute trek to San Fruttuoso or a 2½-hour hike to Santa Margherita. Other sights around Portofino include its castle and the lighthouse (faro) with its breathtaking view of the coastline.
Telephone: (0185) 269 024 (tourist office)
Cinque Terre
Overlooking crystalline waters of the Italian Riviera and located on Italy's northwest coastline are five quaint fishing villages known as the Cinque Terre, meaning 'Five Lands'. It is a picture postcard dream of sparkling clear waters and dramatic vistas contained within the tranquil embrace of the villages that are connected to one another by a scenic pathway that curves through the hillside among olive groves and vineyards. Monterosso is the largest of the towns and is recognisable through the huge statues carved into the rocks facing its shores. The village of Riomaggiore is quickly identified through the myriad fishing boats festooning its shores and is linked by the 'lovers lane' to the charming town of Manarola. Corniglia perches precariously onto the mountainside and is accessed through a steep climb and Vernazza's promenade and piazza have beautiful sea vistas.
Santa Maria delle Grazie
Leonardo da Vinci's world famous painting of The Last Supper is situated in the refectory of an old monastery and next to the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. The fresco depicts the moment of Christ's revelation of the betrayal. Judas hovers to the right of the painting with his hand placed protectively on the bag of silver. Scaffolding covers the bottom of the painting (an ongoing restoration project), leaving the rest in full view. Controversy has erupted over the removal of layers of corrective over-painting completed in the 18th and 19th centuries. The painting has endured more than hot debate however as it escaped the bombing during WWII that destroyed the roof of the refectory.
Address: Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2, Corso Magenta; Telephone: (02) 8942 1146; Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am to 6pm. Visits are limited to 15 minutes, in groups of 20. Booking is essential and reservations are only accepted 60 days prior to visit; Admission: €8, or €11.25 including a tour
Museo Poldi-Pezzoli
In 1879 Poldi Pezzoli donated his impressive art collection to the city and it is now contained in the Museo Poldi-Pezzoli. Numerous masterpieces hang from the walls of the Golden Room with its vista onto a picturesque garden. Antonio Pollaiolo's Portrait of a Lady has become the symbol for Milan's own style and elegance and depicts the profile of an elegant woman. Other famous paintings include a Virgin and Child by Andrea Mantegna, Bellini's Ecco Homo, Piero della Francesca's St Nicholas and Guardi's Gray Lagoon.
