TMQE Travels are travelling again! This time it’s Milan in Italy, where we visit the famous Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Sforza Castle, Bosco Verticale before heading to Lake Como to cruise on the water and visit Villa Balbianello and Bellagio. Jérémy and Ben here again! We love to travel and to satisfy our wanderlust, we are on a European roadtrip exploring the best places for a city break on the continent. We love to escape Britain to experience the best culture, cuisine and attractions that Europe has to offer. If you’re a tourist like us and just need a good itinerary for what to do and how to do it when you’re in Milan, we will show you the best things to put on your itinerary.
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Milan is a city in Lombardy, Northern Italy that has become one of the fashion capitals of the world.
Milan’s star attraction is undoubtedly the Duomo. The city’s vast cathedral, it was started in the 14th century and took six centuries to complete, being finished only in the 20th century. One of the biggest cathedrals in the world, this fabulously ornate structure lends from nearly every architectural style across each century of its construction.
Across the square is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping arcade. So who was Vittorio Emanuale II? He was Italy’s first king. So why is he not Vittorio Emanuele I then? Well he was King of Sardinia first before Italy reunited in 1861, when he assumed the title of King of Italy. He was the first person to have that title since the sixth century! I’ll bet the Kings of all the other kingdoms were annoyed. Fuming. So Vittorio Emanuele I was just King of Sardinia. Gutted. And I’ll bet he doesn’t have a shopping centre named after him.
The biggest building in the city is Sforza Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Milan, which is one of the biggest castles in Europe. Enlarged and embellished over the centuries, the original 14th century structure evolved from a palace to a citadel, which is reflected in its vast defensive structures. Today it mostly houses museums and art galleries, with some of the interiors painted by Leonardo da Vinci, but the courtyards and gardens are completely free to access. And at the end of the garden is the Arco della Pace, built by Napoleon.
Milan is a quickly growing city and contains the Italian stock exchange, which means its financial district is leaming and modern. Italy is the third largest economy in the EU and its centre is right here, in Milan. And the city’s most interesting new buildings? The Bosco Verticale, a pair of residential towers that are covered from top to bottom with more than 900 trees. And the most beautiful thing of all? Milan by night.
Lake Como is just 30 minutes by train from Milan, which is well worth visiting. Travel to Como in the morning and get a day pass for the ferry, so you can hop on and off to see the sites of the area. But bear in mind, the ticket will set you back about £25 each. The jewel of the lake is Villa Balbianello, which just out into the lake on a leafy green promontory and is definitely worth exploring. With luscious terraced gardens, the villa was originally a monastery before being converted into a private residence by Cardinal Durini in 1785. Today, the villa has been used as a filming location for many Hollywood movies, including Casino Royale and Star Wars. Lake Como has three arms, with the town of Como at the end of its South-Western. At the very centre where all three meet is Bellagio, a picturesque little town with the very best views of the lake. Lombardy is one of the most beautiful areas of Italy and if you want history, stunning architecture and beautiful scenery, it is well worth a visit.
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