Historic hits in Italy's most mod city
Leonardo spent three years on The Last Supper. It's said that he went whole days without painting a stroke, just staring at the work. Then he'd grab a brush, rush up, flick on a dab of paint ... and go back to staring.
Milan may be overshadowed by Venice and Florence, but no Italian trip is complete without visiting this city. This vibrant and vital melting pot of people, industry, and history is one of the treasures of the wonder that is Italy.
IF YOU VISIT...
SLEEPING: Hotel Spadari, two blocks from the Duomo area, offers 40 rooms with billowing drapes, grand paintings, and designer doors (splurge, www.spadarihotel.com). Antica Locanda Leonardo is just down the street from The Last Supper and has a romantic, Old World vibe (moderate, www.anticalocandaleonardo.com).
EATING: Near the Duomo, Ronchi 78 is a Milan institution for traditional Milanese cuisine (Via San Maurilio 7, www.ronchi78.it). Pizzeria Tradizionale is an affordable favorite of locals in Milan's canal district (Ripa di Porta Ticinese 7, www.pizzeriatradizionale.com).
GETTING AROUND: Milan's public transit system (www.atm.it) includes a clean and easy Metro; buses and trams fill in the gaps.
TOURIST INFORMATION: www.turismo.milano.it.
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(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)
(c)2019 RICK STEVES DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
