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Milan stands out from the rest of the other cities in Italy with its strong Swiss influence in cuisine and work ethic. From unique neighborhoods with casual nightlife to plenty of luxury shopping spots, there is nothing this splendid city doesn’t offer. And above all the many good things, Milan is globally recognized as a fashion and design capital.
A woman over 50 like you can choose an area to stay in that fits your travel style. Get a chance to witness fashion week events, visit local tourist spots and check out Italy’s exquisite art exhibits. You can also opt to chill in the laid-back areas such as the old refectory where you can admire Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Last Supper.
Get to know the best excursions in Milan in this blog post!
Top 10 Best Tours & Excursions in Milan
1. Sforzesco Castle and Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini
Located in the heart of Milan, the Sforzesco Castle is a humble abode with Renaissance traces. Witness the Pietà Rondanini by Michelangelo and the Sala delle Asse by Leonardo da Vinci.
Find out surprising facts, unveil the castle’s secrets, learn about Milan’s powerful families as you explore the interiors, and visit the courtyard. The castle also has several diverse museums such as:
- Museum of Ancient Art
- Archeological Museum of Milan
- Antique Furniture and Wooden Sculpture Museum
- Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco
- Egyptian Museum
- Museum of Musical Instruments
- Applied Arts Collection
2. Milan Cathedral and Terraces
One of the most popular archeological monuments is the Milan Cathedral, also known as Duomo di Milano.
Here’s a fun fact. Did you know that the construction took nearly six centuries to complete? Bearing the title as the largest Gothic cathedral globally, it’s a crossroad of diverse ideas and cultures.
Various architects, engineers, and workers exchanged designs, experiences, and skills throughout its construction years.
You can choose from a small group or private tour. Discover the cathedral’s long history and admire its world-renowned Gothic architecture and artworks.
Breathtaking city views await as you continue to the rooftop terraces by elevator. And the ruins of the Baptistery of San Giovannie Alle Fonti are just right beneath the Duomo.
3. Lake Como, Bellagio and Varenna
Escape the buzzing city and head on to a memorable full-day excursion to Lake Como, where you can visit appealing gardens and villas. This bucket-list destination in the Northern region of Italy is made up of small but luxurious towns enclosing the lake’s perimeter.
It’s easy to visit Bellagio and Varenna as both towns are on the opposite sides of the lake. Varenna is nothing like the busier town of Bellagio, so it’s a popular choice for a relaxed overnight stay.
Walking along the tapering cobblestoned streets in these villages leads you to charming villages and extraordinary cuisine, a sweet taste of Italian luxury.
4. Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church with The Last Supper
This refectory is one of Renaissance art’s principal testimonies and a beaming symbol of visionary human genius. For this reason, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to one of Leonardo da Vinci’s great masterpieces, the Last Supper. This unrivaled Renaissance art, along with a few others by the master himself, can be seen up close on a guided tour.
Learn about the church’s riveting history, surprising facts about da Vinci’s perspective, and the compositions and techniques he used from a licensed guide.
5. Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology
This museum is a massive permanent exhibition devoted to the art and discovery of Leonardo da Vinci, a human genius. This is one of Europe’s most important science and technology museums.
Nestled in this historical site is the vast collection of 170 historical models, ancient volumes, and works of da Vinci.
You can discover incredible objects here, such as the Conte Biancamano transatlantic, the brigantine schooner Ebe, and the Enrico Toti submarine. The space offers a peek at the only moon fragment visible in Italy and the Vega space launcher.
A trip to da Vinci’s museum will take you to the past, present, and future of science and technology.
6. Museo Teatrale alla Scala
Book a guided tour to Milan’s most famous opera house and explore traces of the greatest composers and legendary artists. Admire the portraits of Italy’s greatest classical music and opera singers such as Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Giacomo Puccini, and more.
Moreso, the museum is home to objects and symbols of theatrical and musical art appreciated globally.
7. Pinacoteca di Brera
What is an excursion to Milan without visiting its premier art gallery, the Pinacoteca? Travel to the past as you get the chance to admire paintings from Quattrocento (15th century) to the Rococo period (10th century).
Immerse yourself with the artworks like the Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio and The Kiss by Francesco Hayez.
The Lamentation of Christ by Andrea Mantegna and The Marriage of the Virgin by Raffaello are also found there. A licensed guide will walk you through the relics and stories about the works and the artists.
8. Leonardo’s Vineyard
Have you ever wondered how the human genius spent his time when he was still alive?
Leonardo da Vinci generously left us with his vineyard, one of his most adored possessions. As someone from a family of winemakers, he enjoyed growing his grapes and making his wines for many years.
Today, you can rediscover valuable insights into the vineyard’s rich history, led by an expert local guide.
You can wander around the house, vineyard, garden, and greenhouses as much as you like. And even be astonished as you find original vines that were re-planted from several years ago.
9. Cinque Terre
If you’re looking for a refreshing experience of Italy’s natural splendor, immerse yourself in the Cinque Terre. This translates to “Five Lands,” wherein five captivating villages sit along the coast of Liguria.
Many of their national parks boast some of the best hiking trails globally, making Cinque Terre a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Corniglia
The “quiet” middle village is surrounded by vineyards but no direct sea access. You’ll find colorful painted ancient four-story houses here, mentioned in Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. The tranquil, tangled streets lead you to a breezy terrace overlooking the sea.
Manarola
Known for its sweet Sciacchetrà wine, it’s also a humble home to many priceless medieval relics. You can see several fishing boats on the main street and waterfront. There’s a short uphill hike known as the Punta Bonfiglio, where you can see fabulous views and a playground with a bar.
Riomaggiore
Pastel buildings line up on a steep ravine and shine at sunset are found in the largest village of Cinque Terre. More adventure awaits you as a botanical garden, and a bird-watching center lies on the rocky foreland of Fossola Beach.
Vernazza
Enjoy the sea views popping at every turn as you walk through the Genoa-style narrow streets. It is the only secure landing point lined with little cafes and a cobbled main street connecting seaside Piazza Marconi with the train station.
Monterosso
Widely known for its anchovies and lemon trees, Monterosso is a great settlement for a proper beach trip. The village is split in two, in which the new and old halves are connected by an underground tunnel set beneath the San Cristoforo promontory.
10. Serravalle Designer Outlets
You can’t go wrong with shopping, especially when you’re in Italy’s first and largest designer outlet, the Serravalle Designer Outlets. There are roughly more than 170 stores to choose from, offering a long list of the world’s luxury brands.
It features the top Italian designer fashions such as Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Prada, Versace, and Zegna.
The outlet stores are in Ligurian-Piedmont style, linked by tree-lined pedestrian walkways. It’s also the perfect spot to sit, relax, and sip a cup of coffee.
A Sweet Taste of Milan Luxury
Excursions in Milan will take you to the past, present, and future. The capital is beaming with a vibrant environment with traces of the different historical periods and breathtaking sceneries. Other than that, it’s home to many world-renowned artists, classical and opera singers, and luxury designer brands.
Certainly, Milan is a paradise every woman over 50 should visit!
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