There are many reasons Milan deserves a visit, but here are the top 6 reasons I suggest adding a couple of days to your itinerary and explore this elegant city! Yes, it's the fashion and finance capital of Italy, but Milano has many more charms to behold.

1- The Duomo, its Roof & the Galleria
The Duomo di Milano is the heart of the city and its piazza is livingroom to everyone, locals and tourists alike. Book a date and time slot online to visit the roof and its interior to avoid the line (various sites sell the tickets including duomomilan). Return after dark for a nighttime photo-op of the illuminated exterior.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a shoppers and architecture lovers paradise. Most of the top brands have a presence here.
Take a spin around with your heel on the boar for good luck!
2- The Last Supper
This is one of Leonardo Da Vinci's most famous masterpieces depecting the final meal of Jesus and his disciples. The Last Supper (La Ultima Cena or Il Cenacolo in Italian) is available by booking ahead. Small groups are allowed in one group at a time in timed entry slots. It's breathtaking in person.

3- Milanese Cuisine
The cuisine here is rich and delicious. Milan has several famous dishes. Osso Buco is typically paired with another of its claims to fame, Risotto Milanese (saffron scented risotto). The two offer a nice contrast in color and flavor- the deep brown veal shank cooked in white wine until falling off the bone contrasted with golden saffron coated rice. The Milanese typically only use a minimal amount of tomato paste and no tomatoes, unlike many state-side versions.

Cotoletta Milanese is a breaded and fried bone-in thinly pounded veal chop, similar to the Wienerschnizel of Austria. My husband has a weakness for this and is taking it upon himself to try out all the top options in Milan in order to share his favorites with you on this blog. It's a tough life, but someone's gotta do it!

Finally, risotto in general is always a good idea in this rice obsessed town.

Restaurants to try for traditional cuisine include: Antica Trattoria della Pesa, Trattoria Masuelli, La Cantina di Manuela, Trattoria Milanese and, finally, da Giacomo.
4- Seeking out the Local Wine
Every region in Italy produces high quality wine and Lombardy is no exception. A good match for the dishes listed above is Valtellina Superiore, a DOCG classified red wine from the alps made from the nebbiolo grape, yet lighter in style than Barolo. Need something to start with? Try a freshing glass of Lombardy's famous DOCG metodo classico sparkling, Franciacorta.
5- Spritz with a View
As mentioned in a prior post, Campari was invented in Milan so don't miss the chance to spritz anywhere, but especially overlooking the Duomo. The department store, Rinascente has a rooftop bar/restaurant overlooking Piazza del Duomo and Camparino is located adjacent in the Galleria Emanuele II. If you don't score a table looking out to the Duomo, don't despair, watching the elegantly dressed Milanese pass by is just as amusing. People here take particular pride in what they wear making Milan the bella figura (beautiful appearance) capital of Italy.

6- Visit Villa Necchi Campiglio
Design fans, if you admired the city mansion in "House of Gucci" or "I Am Love", you were loving Villa Necchi and it's right in the city center and open to the public.
Of course, there may still be time for a little more shopping on Via Monte Napoleone or to take in an opera at La Scala, but I always like to leave a reason to return!
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