Have you read my Milan report ? It is stored in the yahoo! hotel &destination data base of this list. Anyway find attached a copy of it. I apologise to people that have already read my report in the past but I have been kindly asked to re-send it from Linda.

Hope it will be helpful.

Ciao, Marco in Milan - Italy

>I'm leaving Saturday for a few days in Milan, and will have a day or two
>free for sightseeing. Any must sees?

MILAN By Marco De Angeli, Dec. 2001

This would be a quick reference guide to get an idea and discover my city, Milan in Italy. Anyway this is not and would not be an exhaustive guidebook.

Milan is Lombardia's regional capital and the most important Italian city after Rome. Lombardia is situated in the north of Italy and is bordered by Swiss in the north. Milan is often called the business capital of Italy.

Key: (*) = interesting; (**) = very interesting; M = underground station (Metro); R = Passante Ferroviario (Railway Urban Metro)

- (**) Duomo (the Cathedral): started in 1386 it is the Cathedral of Milan and its gold statue of the Blessed Virgin, placed at the top (108 m), is the symbol of the city. It is possible to go up to the Cathedral roof where you can have a wonderful view of Milan and the Alps situated to the north of the city. Under the Cathedral floor (entry by a stair inside the church by the main door) there are the interesting archaeological ruins of the previous churches (370). The Duomo is the symbol of the city. You can get to the Duomo by: M1/3 Duomo.

- (*) Il Broletto (Piazza Mercanti): the last medieval corner of Milan, just a few hundred meters from the Duomo. It was the heart of the city for centuries. It is a square were they used to do a street market and there was the Council house in medieval era (now closed). M1/3 Duomo.

- (*) Teatro alla scala (Piazza della Scala): the major lyrical theatre of Italy, it was built in 1777 in neo-classical style. In order to know the show scheduled, see the web site http://lascala.milano.it . M1/3 Duomo.

- (**) Sant'Ambrogio church (Piazza S. Ambrogio): is the most important church after the Cathedral and one of the oldest in Milan. It was built in 397 in romanic style and is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Milan: Saint' Ambrogio. Masses in Latin. M2 S. Ambrogio.

- (**) S. Maria delle Grazie church (Piazza S. Maria delle Grazie): it was built in 1490 in gothic style with a little cloister. It was a Dominican monastery where, in the dining room, Leonardo Da Vinci painted the Last Supper. M1/2 Cadorna.

- (**) L'ultima Cena (Piazza S. Maria delle Grazie 2): The Last Supper, the well known Leonardo Da Vinci fresco. Note that to visit the Last supper, reservation is compulsory; you can book by phoning to 0289421142 from Italy or +39 0289421146 from abroad. An operator will give you the booking code. You have to pay and pick up the ticket half hour before the visit). You Could arrange the reservation to the entrance desk too. The visit is limited to 15 minutes per person. Time table: Tue-Sat 8.15-18.45. Mon closed. M1/2 Cadorna.

- (**) Castello Sforzesco (Piazza Castello): Sforzesco castle, just in the heart of the city, was built in 1450 by Francesco Sforza duke of Milan. Free entrance. Nowadays the castle is used as a museum and for exhibition. It is possible walk up to the external walls. In the castle Museums you can find sculptures (the most important is Michelangelo's Pieta'), furniture, pictures (by Tintoretto, Tiepolo etc.), and an interesting Egyptian art section. Free entrance. M1 Cairoli.

- (*) S. Maria presso S. Satiro church (Via Torino): this church was built in 1476-86 in renaissance style by Bramante that painted a wonderful false presbytery (as a prospective joke). M1/3 Duomo.

- (**) Basilica di S. Lorenzo Maggiore (Corso di porta Ticinese): it is one of the oldest churches in Milan and a very important example of architecture. It was built for the first time in the V century. The columns outside the church (II-III century) are really impressive. M1/3 Duomo + tram 3.

- (*) Basilica di S. Eustorgio (Piazza S. Eustorgio): it was built in XI-XIII century. There is an interesting chapel in the Crypt: the Portinari Chapel. Under the church there is a little paleochristian cemetery (inquire to the sacristy). M1/3 Duomo + tram 3.

- Casa di riposo Giuseppe Verdi (Piazza Buonarroti 29): Is the rest home for old musicians, it has been founded by the great musician Giuseppe Verdi in 1899. In the crypt are Giuseppe Verdi's and his wife's tomb. Free entrance. M1 Buonarroti.

- Cimitero Monumentale (Viale Ceresio): the monumental cemetery of Milan built in 1865 by Maciachini. The main building is like a Pantheon where there are tombs of famous Milanese people (e.g. the great writer Alessandro Manzoni). It represents an interesting 1800s, 1900s open space exposition of Lombardia architectural styles. M2/R Garibaldi + tram 33.

MUSEUMS: - (*) Museo del Duomo (Piazza Duomo 14): it is a museum where the long history of the Cathedral is reported and many statues from the church decoration are exhibited. Monday closed. How to get to: M1/3 Duomo. - (**) Civiche raccolte del Castello Sforzesco (Piazza Castello): See Sforzesco Castle described above. Free entrance. M1 Cairoli. - (**) Pinacoteca di Brera (Via Brera 28): This national gallery is one of the most famous in the world. There are pictures by Mantegna, Tiziano, Tintoretto, Raffaello, Caravaggio et al. M3 Montenapoleone. - (*) Museo Poldi Pezzoli (Via Manzoni 12): It is a private collection comprising of great Italian paintings from XV-XVIII century. M3 Montenapoleone. - (*) Museo della Scienza e della Tecnica (Via S. Vittore 21): The best technology and science museum in Italy dedicated to the great scientist Leonardo Da Vinci. The Leonardo da Vinci Gallery is particularly interesting. M2 S. Ambrogio. Web site http://www.museoscienza.org - (*) Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (Piazza Pio XI, 2): It is the oldest museum in Milan and library (1618) founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo. There are pictures by Botticelli, Leonardo, Caravaggio, Tiziano, Bramantino et al. M1/3 Duomo. - (*) Museo di Storia Naturale (Corso Venezia 55): This Natural History Museum comprises sections dedicated to mineralogy, geology and paleontology. Free entrance. M1 Palestro. - (*) Museo Bagatti Valsecchi (Via S. Spirito 10): It is a residential building made in Renaissance style in 1800s, handmade articles and furnishings from the Italian and Lombard Renaissance. Closed Monday. M3 Montenapoleone. - Museo Archeologico (Corso Magenta 15): In the Archeological museum you'll find an extensive collection of objects from the Roman,Greek and Etruscan eras. Free entrance. M1/2 Cadorna.

STREET MARKETS - Via San Marco, M3 Turati. Every Monday morning. - Viale Papiniano, M2 S. Agostino. Every Tuesday morning. - Via Zuretti, M2/3 Centrale. Every Wednesday morning. - Piazza Mirabello, M3 Turati. Every Thursday morning. - Via Pagano, M1 Pagano. Every Friday morning. - Viale Papiniano, M2 S. Agostino. Every Saturday all day.

Specialized street markets: - Mercato dell'antiquariato (Alzaio del Naviglio Grande): Antique Market on Naviglio Grande every last Sunday of month. M2 P.ta Genova. - Fiera di Senigallia Flea market (Darsena di Viale D'Annunzio): Traditional flea market every Saturday morning. M2 P.ta Genova. - Flower Market (Piazza Mercanti): Flower and houseplant market every Sunday morning. M1/3 Duomo. - Stamps and Coins market (Via Armorari): Stamps, Coins and phone cards collecting, every Sunday morning. M1 Cordusio.

SPECIAL EVENTS - December 7th, 8th (S. Ambrogio patron day): the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! traditional Milan Trade Fair (Piazza S. Ambrogio and surroundings): a big and traditional street market. M2 S. Ambrogio. - February or March, Ambrosian Carnival (the Saturday before the first Sunday of Lent): in the afternoon scenic Carnival parade; in the evening Carnival mask parade and street concerts organised by the Council. Piazza Duomo and surrounding. M1/3 Duomo. - March, first weekend of Spring: special opening of interesting places (gardens, churches, palaces, etc.) normally closed to the public, organised by FAI (Italian Ambient Foundation). Free entrance. Inquire to the information offices. - New Year's Eve: street concerts organised by the Council. Piazza Duomo and surrounding. M1/3 Duomo. Inquirer at information offices. - April (a Sunday): StraMilano traditional foot-race through the town center.

SHOPPING STREETS: - In Corso Buenos Aires (M1/2 Loreto; M1 Lima; M1/R Venezia) there are shops for fashion and other kinds of goods. - The well known Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Manzoni are full of the major fashion shops, footwear and jeweller shops. M3 Montenapoleone, M1 S. Babila. - In the pedestrian area around the Cathedral (Galleria and Corso Vittorio Emanuele) you will find big bookshops, record shops and the megastore La Rinascente. M1/3 Duomo, M1 S. Babila. - In via Magenta (M1/3 Cadorna) you'll find craft activities. - In Via Paolo Sarpi you can find any kind of things. - In December, before Christmas, there is L'Artigianato in Fiera, an interesting craft fair in the big Fiera di Milano exposition area. Free entrance. M1 Amendola.

RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTLIFE: - A well known area for restaurants and after dinners is Navigli area. The Navigli are a network of canals, built in medieval times (XI century), that cover all the city and were used to bring marble for the Duomo. Nowadays the last area in Milan where the Navigli are still open space is called Navigli area (Piazza 24 Maggio - Porta Genova. M2 Genova). In this

area it is possible to see a corner of medieval Milan; now it is full of restaurants (where it is possible have good food reasonable priced), Pizzerias, Pubs and Cabarets. It is crowded with Milanese people every evening, especially during weekends. - Another after dinner area is located around Via Brera (Via Fiori Chiari, Via Madonnina, etc.). M2 Lanza. - If you like fast foods, there are some Italian style fast foods (pasta and pizza, self services) in the Duomo area named Autogrill, Ciao and Spizzico (Piazza del Duomo, Piazza S. Babila, Via Dante, Corso Buenos Aires). - A bakery, well known by students, to take away a good Panzerotto (a dough stuffed mainly by tomato and cheese and cooked into a oven or fried) is the bakery Luini in Via S. Redegonda 16, just behind the megastore La Rinascente and just a few steps from the Cathedral. M1/3 Duomo.

SIGHTSEEINGS - The Tourist Guide Center (Via Marconi 1; M1/3 Duomo; Tel. 02863210 or 0286450433, fax 02863210) singles or group tour (call for arrangement). - City sightseeing on bus: a 3 hours tour on bus daily (except Monday) (Last Supper entrance included in the tour fee). Multilingual comment. Information: Autostradale company, Piazza Castello 1 (M1 Cairoli) Tel. 02801161. Reservations in the major hotels too. - Sightseeing by Tram is organised by the Municipal Transport Company (ATM), aboard an original 1920's tram named Ciao Milano, that leaves from Piazza Castello (M1 Cairoli). Three departures a day (hop on - hop off). Multilingual commentary. For information phone to 028055323 or http://www.atm- mi.it/eng/tempoli/ftemplis.htm .

TOURIST INFORMATION - APT Milan Tourism Office, Via Marconi 1; M1/3 Duomo; Tel. 02725241. Free city map. - APT Central Station, departure hall; M2/3 Centrale; Tel. 0272524360 or 0272524370. Information, free map and hotels availability. - Centro Servizi - Milan Council Information Office, Gallery Vittorio Emanuele 11/12 (by Piazza della Scala), tel. 028690739 M1/3 Duomo. Self service tourist and events information organised by the council authorities.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTS - Municipal Transport Company (ATM). Information Point: metro' station M1/3 Duomo. Public transport maps. Info tel. 800016857. An urban ticket (for buses, trams and metro) costs less than 1USD and is valid for 75 minutes. It is sold in newsagents and tobacconists. There are tourist tickets that lasts 1 or 2 days which are sold in newsagents located in the metro stations. It is also available a discounted 10 tickets kit. Tickets ARE NOT sold on the coaches. The Metro system consists of 4 lines: number 1 (red), 2 (green), 3 (yellow) and the Passante Ferroviario (blue). Metro runs from approximately 6 am until 00.30 am (there is a bus service that replaces Metro lines 1 and 3 during night). Web site http://www.atm-mi.it/eng/default.asp ATM runs many suburban lines too.

RAILWAYS -Trenitalia (Italian National Railways Company): Central Station Information Office (departure hall). Open daily from 7.00 to 21.00. Tel. 147888088. Web site http://www.trenitalia.com . +From Central Station depart long distance trains. M2/3 Centrale. +From Garibaldi Station depart regional trains. M2/R Garibaldi. - Ferrovie Nord Milano (North Milan Railways Company): Information Office (Cadorna Station) is opened from 7.00 to 20.00, tel 0220222. +From Cadorna Station (M1/2 Cadorna) depart trains to north Milan area (Varese, Como, Laveno) and to Malpensa International Airport (Malpensa express). Web site http://www.ferrovienord.it

AIRPORTS - Linate airport (LIN), 5 km from Milan: flights to/from Rome and to/from others domestics and Europeans destinations. For information phone to 0274852200. How to get to Linate: Bus n. 73 from Corso Europa (M1 S. Babila) using a normal ATM ticket; it take about 25 minutes. There is an other company bus (STAM) that runs to/from the Central Station. - Malpensa International Airport (MPX): for information phone to 0226800613. How to get to Malpensa: there is a train shuttle to/from Milan Cadorna Railway Station (M1/2 Cadorna), named Malpensa Express, which runs every half hour from 6.30 to 20.30. It takes 40 minutes and stops in Saronno too. Web site: http://www.ferrovienord.it/webmxp . There is a coach service to/from Milan Railway Central Station, named Malpensa Shuttle, every 30 min. (it takes about 50 minutes). The service runs from 5.00 to 22.30 every day.

INTERNET CORNER: - In the Telecom Office in the gallery Vittorio Emanuele (M1/3 Duomo) there is an internet corner working by phone cards. There is a telephone and fax service too. - Centro Servizi - Milan Council Information Office, Gallery Vittorio

hour). M1/3 Duomo.

ACCOMMODATION: - APT in Piazza Duomo (Via Marconi 1) and APT in the Central Station assist tourists in finding accommodation. Free list of hotels, no bookings. To make hotel reservations: - Milan Hoteliers Association (Corso Buenos Aires 77): reservation centre web site http://www.traveleurope.it . - Milan Hotels Central Booking: Tel. 028054242, fax 028054291. - Italian Hotels Reservation Center: from Italy 800015772, from abroad +39 0229403320 or 0229404616. - Inpholine, hotels reservation: Mon. - Sat. toll free number (from Italy) 800.008777, web site http://www.initalia.it -Youth Hostel YHA P. Rotta, Viale Salmoiraghi 1, tel. and fax 0239267095. Breakfast included. M1 QT8. Compulsory membership card. Web site http://www.hostels-aig.org . - Private Hostel La Cordata, Via Burigozzo 11, tel. 0258314675, e_mail: la.cordata . Self catering kitchen. M2 Genova + tram 9 or M3 Missori + tram 15. Web site http://www.galactica.it/aziende/la.cordata

SURROUNDINGS AND ONE DAY TRIPS - Lake Como: + (*) Como city. To see: Lake promenade, the Cathedral (XV-XVII century), Broletto (old council house, XIII century), S. Abbondio church (XI century), cable car to Brunate where you can have a beautiful overview above the lake. It is possible take a boat trip aroun the lake. How to get to Como from Milan: by train (FS company) from Central or Garibaldi Station, (FNME company) from Cadorna station (it takes half hour or an hour, it depends on the train). + (*) Bellagio town. It is a peninsula in the centre of the lake. To see: beautiful and characteristic down town, Villa Serbelloni (XV century villa with a great garden, only the garden is visible), Villa Melzi (neoclassical palace with great garden, only the garden is visible). How to get: by train from Central station to Varenna (it takes an hour, you have to catch trains with destination Sondrio or Tirano) then the ferry to Bellagio (10 minute).

- Lake Maggiore: + (*) Stresa: characteristic lakeside town, promenade on the lake, Villa Pallavicino (great botanic garden and little freely animal zoo, greenhouse; closed in winter), cable car to Mottarone montain (1490 m., great Alps overview). How to get there: by train from Central or Garibaldi Station (an hour/an hour and half, catch train to Domodossola). + (**) Borromee lake islands (10 minutes by ferry from Stresa): they are made up by three little and beautiful islands, Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori. Isola Bella: Borromeo palace (in Barocco style with luxurious rooms, pictures and statues collections, graves and a great garden; it is closed in winter). Isola dei Pescatori: very picturesque fishermans' island. Isola Madre: the largest one; Borromeo palace (XVIII century with a beautiful botanical garden).

- (*) Sirmione town, a great peninsula in lake Garda: it is a lovely pedestrian town, Scaligera Castle (XIII century), the archaeological site of Catullo graves (Roman villa with a little museum). How to get there: by train from Central station to Desenzano (1.20 hour) then by bus.

- Morimondo Abbey and Vigevano town: Morimondo Abbey (XII century it was built by Cistercians monks) is located in the Valle del Ticino regional park. How to get there: 21+6 km by car, SS494 to Abbiategrasso then SS526. Vigevano : Piazza Ducale (a great Renaissance style square (1494)), Castle and clock tower (1345). How to get there: 32 km by car, SS494 or by train from Genova train station (M2 Genova).

- Pavia City: + (*) Certosa di Pavia: it is a great Abbey (XV century) with a marble face and a cloister. In the church there are tombs of dukes of Milan. How to get there: by train from Garibaldi or Lambrate station (40 minutes). + (*) Pavia city: it is situated upon the Ticino river. Cathedral (XV century in Renaissance style), S.Michele church (XII century, many king were crowned in this church), S. Pietro in Ciel d'Oro church: (XII cent. In Romanesque style, there is the Arca di S. Agostino containing the S. Agostinos' bones), Visconteo castle (1360, it contains paintings and archeological museums). How to get there: 40 km by train from Central station or Lambrate station (30/45 minutes).

- (**) Bergamo city: there is a beautiful medieval city centre located up to an hill (by cable car from the modern city): Piazza Vecchia (the main and characteristic square), Palazzo della Ragione (medieval council house), S. Maria Maggiore church (XII cent. in Romanesque style renovated during 1500s, carpets, frescos and a carved timber choir place), Colleone's chapel (great example of lombard Renaissance style), Battistero (1340 baptistery), Pinacoteca Carrara (painting museum with Mantegna, Bellini, Botticelli, Tiziano, Tintoretto et al.). How to get: 56 km by train from Central, Garibaldi or Lambrate station (an hour).

- (**) Mantova city: it is situated on the Mincio river: S. Andrea church (XV cent. in Renaissance style, frescos and paintings; in this church there is the tomb of the great painting Mantegna), Piazza delle Erbe (characteristic medieval square), Rotonda di S. Lorenzo (XI cent. little and characteristic church), Duke Palace (XIII cent., frescos by Mantegna, carpets and the duke rooms), Chatedral (XVI cent.), Palazzo del Te (the great suburban duke palace, XVI cent., great frescos, garden). How to get there: 150 km by train from Central station (2 hour).

There is a network of fast train services from Milan to Genova (Genoa), Torino (Turin), Verona, Venezia (Venice), Firenze (Florence), Roma (Rome) and Napoli (Naples) which leave from the Central station. A sleeping car service is also available during nights.

MILAN AND LOMBARDIA COOKING: - Risotto giallo (yellow rice), rice cooked with saffron; - Cotoletta alla milanese (Milanese cutlet), steak fried in egg and bread mixture; - Osso buco (Bone with hole), leg of beef with marrow; - Cassoeula, braised pork meat with cabbages; - Cotechino con lenticchie, boiled bagged pork salami and lentils; - Trippa alla Milanese, tripe Milanese style; - Ravioli alla zucca, pasta rolled and stuffed with pumpkin; - Pizzoccheri alla Valtellinese, particular kind of pasta cooked with cheese and vegetables; - Bresaola, a bagged horse meat;

SWEETS: - Panettone (a Christmas time sweet), a ball oven cooked mix of flour, sugar, eggs, raisins and candied fruits; - Torrone, a honey, almond, sugar and vanilla mix; - Pan dei Morti (bread of the dead) (All Souls Day sweet), a mixture of cocoa, sugar, honey, pine nuts and candied fruits. - Colomba Pasquale (an Easter time sweet), a mix of flour, sugar, eggs covered with sugar and almonds pieces that look like a dove.

USEFUL WEB ADDRESSES http://www.milanoin.it/index.asp General information (hotels, restaurants, shopping). In Italian; http://www.vivimilano.it what's on in Milan (in Italian); http://www.hellomilano.it General info about Milan (useful info, entertainment, events, museums, advice, tips and what's on); http://www.comune.milano.it Milan Civic Network; http://www.regione.lombardia.it Lombardia regional network; http://www.inlombardia.it Information about tourism in Lombardia; http://lascala.milano.it La Scala lyric theater official site. http://www.museionline.com/eng/ Italian museums information; http://www.rcs.it/mimu/english Museums in Milan;

http://www.atm-mi.it/eng/default.asp Municipal Transport Company official web site; http://www.trenitalia.com Italian National Railway Company official site; http://www.ferrovienord.it/webmxp Train Shuttle between Milan and Malpensa International Airport (time table, fee); http://www.sea-aeroportimilano.it Milan Airports official site (time table about flights and general info); http://www.airpullman.com Coach service between Milan and Malpensa International Airport (time table, fee);

http://www.initalia.it Hotel reservation center. http://www.hostels-aig.org Italian Youth Hostels Association official site. http://www.mappe.virgilio.it/mappe/mappege.asp City Maps of the major Italian cities. http://www.paginegialle.it Italian yellow pages.