My son and I will likely spend a few days in Milan in late July. We will probably take a day trip to Lake Como on our own. But I’m also looking at a day trip to St. Moritz riding the Bernina Express. Does anyone have any input on good tour vendors?
Also any hotel recommendations that don’t break the bank? Which area is best to stay in?
We were in Milan for a few days last spring and really enjoyed it but we had a really hard time finding an affordable hotel. We ended up in an older place near the duomo which was great location in terms of walkability to restaurants and sights but I would definitely not recommend.
I highly recommend doing the roof tour of the duomo. Try to get the first time slot. We were there just when it opened and we had the whole roof top to ourselves for quite a while.
We loved this hotel, great location, on a one way street so not a lot of traffic noise but easy to walk to everything. I thought the rates were very reasonable, I’m sure summer might be more expensive than when we went in the fall.
Take Walks is a great tour company. Duomo is great. If you are afraid of heights you will not like it at all. The last supper is pretty cool. We were just there 1/2 day, so am not much help as to what to do. It’s the financial capital and doesn’t necessarily give you that Italian feel like of Florence or Rome. orvzfome,
I stayed here in Sept, it was perfect for me. Near the central train station. At the time it was about $160 p/n.
I couldn’t bear the cigarette smoking literally everywhere in Milan.
B&B Hotel Milan, Central Station B&B Hotel Milano Central Station
Be on the alert for pickpocketers.
Yes - my D was on a business trip in Milan, and was on the subway, where someone slit into her computer bag and removed her wallet. She didn’t even realize it had happened until later.
When I visited Italy later (including Milan), I purchased a travel purse that has fabric you can’t cut through, and clips to secure zippered areas.
My D lives in Europe and says phone theft is a problem as well.
We stayed in two hotels in Milan, but neither was inexpensive. The first was nicer but it cost a lot more, The Square Milano Duomo. We were going on a Uniworld cruise which started in Milan and switched to their hotel, Rosa Grand Milano which costs less but still pricey.
I have a Travelon purse and it’s great. The slash proof fabric and especially the clips to keep zippers closed really gives peace of mind. You can also lock it onto the back of a chair so someone can’t just grab it and walk off. If you have a larger size bag you can combine it with a travel jacket/windbreaker, essentials and truly be set for the day basically hands free.