Moon Milan & Beyond: With the Italian Lakes

DISCOVER MILAN & BEYOND

MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCES

EXPLORE MILAN & BEYOND

THE BEST OF MILAN & LAKE COMO

IF YOU HAVE…

WHERE TO GO FROM MILAN

BEST OF THE LAKES

IF YOU LIKE…

BEFORE YOU GO

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

GETTING THERE

GETTING AROUND

KEY RESERVATIONS

BUDGETING

WHAT TO PACK

DAILY REMINDERS

Only in Milan can you step outside of a 4th-century church to find a narrow alleyway covered in street art, with all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants next to aperitivo bars, and edgy concept stores next to stores selling handmade leather goods. If Rome is the Italian city of history, and Florence is the Italian city of art, then Milan is the Italian city of design, diversity, and opportunity. Milan offers classic Italian culture, from Gothic churches and Renaissance art to pizzerias, wine bars, and gelato; but it’s also the only city in Italy that blends its historic heritage with modernism and internationalism in equal measure.

The city center is rich with historic sights, from the Duomo to La Scala, but the uniqueness of the city lies in the different cultures and communities that make up the individual neighborhoods and districts. Between all of them, it’s easy for any visitor to find a little corner that feels almost like a home away from home.

Traveling just an hour or two outside of the city gives you access to some of the most beautiful and charming lakes in the world. The villages dotting the shores of Lake Como provide old-world charm and idyllic views. The lush and colorful islands of Lake Maggiore take you back to another time in Italian history, and the “king of lakes,” Lake Garda, offers a little bit of everything from mountain views and sandy beaches to Roman ruins and wine villages. For a bit more tranquility with just as much charm and beauty, head to the smaller lakes in the region like Lake Molveno, Lake Orta, and Lake Iseo.

Regardless of your interests, you’re bound to find something to suit you here—no other region blends history with modernity and cosmopolitan glamour with natural beauty in quite the same way.

MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCES

EXPLORE MILAN & BEYOND

THE BEST OF MILAN & LAKE COMO

To get a taste of the city and a lakeside getaway, spend two days in Milan and two days on Lake Como. With this itinerary, only public transportation is needed.

DAY 1:

Spend your first day in Milan by the city center, where you can visit some of the major sights and soak in the city’s bustling atmosphere.

▪  Start your day off with an espresso and a sweet pastry at a local café in the city center.

▪  Stroll down Via Montenapoleone, window-shopping at the flagship stores for some of the most prominent Italian fashion brands such as Prada, Gucci, and Valentino.

▪  Head to Piazza del Duomo, then spend an hour or two exploring the roof of the Duomo, where you can catch unparalleled views of the city from above.

▪  Grab lunch at one of the many restaurants surrounding the Duomo, such as upscale Berton or the traditional A Santa Lucia.

▪  Walk off lunch with a leisurely stroll through Milan’s largest and most beloved public park, Parco Sempione. The Sforza Castle stands imposingly at the entrance of the park—go inside to discover some of the city’s history.

▪  In the early evening, indulge in a modern twist on classic Italian recipes or a cocktail (or two), and nibble on some finger foods at a traditional Milanese aperitivo hour in a nearby bar, like Deseo.

▪  And if you’re still hungry, there’s nothing like ending your night with a delicious meal at a neighborhood pizzeria.

DAY 2:

Sample the city’s art and design scene on your second day in Milan.

▪  After breakfasting at your hotel, head to the Brera Picture Gallery, the city’s most famous Italian picture gallery. You can also take a stroll through Milan’s most endearing library, the Braidense National Library, which is in the same building.

▪  Stop into Pisacco for lunch, one of the most talked-about restaurants in the city. Sample the city’s art and design scene on your second day in Milan.

▪  Head to 10 Corso Como, a complex with galleries, shops, a café, and a bookstore—a distillation of Milan’s art, design, and cultural scene in one place. Go to the garden and enjoy an espresso with some intricately decorated cookies or up to the rooftop garden for a cocktail.

▪  Finish your afternoon with some shopping in the local boutiques, concept shops, and vintage stores in the Ticinese and Navigli districts.

▪  Call the canals of Navigli home for the evening, barhopping between several places that host lively aperitivo, such as Maya on the small canal.

DAY 3:

Head to Lake Como, then village-hop around the lake by ferry.

▪  Grab an early train from Milan’s Central Station to Varenna, then spend your morning exploring Villa Cipressi, strolling through the beautiful gardens full of cypress trees.

▪  Take a boat to Bellagio and enjoy lunch at one of the local eateries in the center of the village, such as Terrazza Barchetta.

▪  Spend two or three hours of your afternoon wandering around charming Bellagio, which is full of local boutiques, gelaterias, and lakeside bars for you to grab a glass of wine and admire the lake as well as the surrounding mountains.

▪  Take the ferry to the small village of Menaggio on the lake’s western shore, and pop into the small Church of Santa Marta for a moment of quiet reflection.

▪  Linger over a dinner of local cuisine at Osteria Il Pozzo.

▪  Call Menaggio home for the evening. For a luxurious night, stay at the Grand Hotel Menaggio, which has an on-site wellness center and balconies overlooking the lake. If you’re looking for something less expensive, try the family-run Hotel Garni Corona.

DAY 4:

Visit the city of Como on Lake Como before heading back to Milan for the evening.

▪  Start your morning by grabbing a quick breakfast at one of the cafés in the colorful lakeside square in Menaggio.

▪  Hop on a ferry to the city of Como, then spend your morning exploring the city center, visiting the historically important Duomo, and browsing through local shops selling the famous Como silk products.

▪  Grab lunch in the city center at Osteria L’Angolo del Silenzio, serving homemade pastas, fresh lake fish, and more.

▪  In the afternoon, take the Brunate Funicular up to the village of Brunate, for jaw-dropping views of the lake from high above.

▪  Once you’re back down on the lakefront, grab a train back to Milan’s Porta Garibaldi station. From there, walk through the beautifully designed Piazza Gae Aulenti on your way to dinner at one of the restaurants in the Porta Nuova neighborhood, such as Il Solferino.

BEST OF THE LAKES

If you want to skip Milan altogether and spend your trip hopping around the various lakes, the best and easiest way to do so is to rent a car. This itinerary hits the four largest Italian lakes from west to east, but can easily be done in the opposite direction.

DAY 1:

On your first day, travel back in time while exploring the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore.

▪  Hop on a train from Milan’s Central Station to Stresa, then head straight to the ferry station on the lakefront to purchase a ticket for all three islands.

▪  Head to Isola Madre and spend an hour or two exploring the Palazzo Borromeo and the colorful botanical gardens.

▪  Catch a ferry to Isola dei Pescatori, and enjoy a leisurely lunch of traditional Northern Italian food.

▪  Take a brisk stroll around the island, and make sure to pop your head into the historic Church of San Vittore before you leave.

▪  Take a ferry to the third and final island, Isola Bella, then walk through the grand Palazzo Borromeo and the lush, multi-level Borromean gardens.

▪  End your day by heading back to Stresa for the evening for a relaxing drink and dinner overlooking the waters of the lake.

DAY 2:

Spend your second day village-hopping around Lake Como.

▪  Drive to Menaggio from Stresa (roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes), then spend your morning in this charming lakeside village on Lake Como.

▪  Ride the Trombetta Express, a small trolley that plies western shore of Lake Como, stopping in Menaggio, Cadenabbia, and Tremezzzo multiple times a day in the high season. Hop on and off as much as you like with a day pass.

▪  End your day back in Menaggio with a meal at Il Ristorante di Paolo, then stay the night at one of the many hotels.

DAY 3:

Head to Lake Iseo to see Europe’s largest lake island, Monte Isola.

▪  Jumpstart your morning with a two-hour road trip from Menaggio to Iseo on Lake Iseo, which you’ll call home for the day.

▪  Take the ferry to Monte Isola, and explore the largest lake island in Europe. Starting at the Church of San Michele in Peschiera Maraglio, slowly make your way around the footpath on the island’s edge.

▪  Have lunch on the waterfront at La Foresta.

▪  Head back to Iseo, and rent a bike for a ride through the Franciacorta wine region. Stop into a winery or two for a tasting and tour.

▪  Have dinner and spend the night at the intimate I Due Roccoli. Book your table and room in advance to make sure you don’t miss this spot during the high season.

DAY 4:

On your fourth day, head to the southern tip of Lake Garda.

▪  Start bright and early with a 45-minute drive to Desenzano del Garda, on the southern end of Lake Garda, which has been a popular getaway since the 1st century.

▪  Head to the waterfront, then grab a boat to Sirmione to explore the Rocca Scaligera castle and Roman ruins of Grotte di Catullo.

▪  For lunch, head to La Cambusa back on Desenzano for a robust tagliere plate.

▪  Spend your afternoon roaming around Desenzano, exploring the ruins of Villa Romana and popping into a few local stores for some shopping.

▪  Head to the waterfront and grab a seat and a gelato at one of the handful of gelaterias lining the shore.

▪  Grab dinner at Molin22, one of the highest-rated restaurants in Desenzano, serving quality Italian food near the waters of Lake Garda.

DAY 5:

Spend your last day enjoying the outdoors in the beautiful Lake Garda area.

▪  Kick off your final day with a 1.25-hour drive from Desenzano del Garda up to Malcesine on the northeastern end of Lake Garda.