We have visitors coming over in July.
I like it when visitors come from the UK. There is so much to see and do in Milan and I do like to ‘show it off’ for, as you know, I love this city. F was talking about taking them to Venice as, for him, Venice is better. But, since the Sunday will be their anniversary and they would prefer to ‘be alone’, we probably shan’t go.
I have, of course, promised something that now seems to be a little more difficult than a) I thought and b) it was in the past.
I have, rashly, promised tickets to go and see ‘The Last Supper’. Given that my old telephone ‘died’, I lost the telephone number I had and, stupidly, I didn’t add it to this blog.
Searching the internet was not the easiest of tasks either but, eventually, I got a few different numbers. The one that is supposed to be ‘direct’ is constantly engaged. I don’t believe it. I am persistent. I am Taurean, after all. It seems that this is a false number or they only actually put it on the hook for an hour a day or something like that. We are in Italy so either is a real possibility.
There is an online booking service (but I think you will pay more). However, on that service, the tickets for June were only made available today. I checked this morning, several times. June tickets were not ‘up’. I checked again, about one hour ago. June tickets were up and everything was sold out apart from four days towards the end of June – and then, only at certain times. Bah! Sometimes this country really does annoy me.
And so I keep trying. I am quite determined. I will also try some of the other numbers – just in case.
I also thought of taking them to the Dialogo nel Buio (Dialogue in the Dark) as this is a great experience. It might not be open at the end of July but I only want to ring and ask once I have tickets to The Last Supper.
Obviously, as this is their first time in Milan, they have to see the Duomo. Also a trip around Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga is essential.
Plus some really nice restaurants. And some time for ‘bar sitting’, especially as it will be hot.
But, first, The Bloody Last Bloody Buggering Supper! Grrrrrr.
Update: I got through to one number. She can’t book for July yet and doesn’t know when they will be come available but about a month from now, she thinks. However, she explained that she has more days/tickets available than those shown on the website. Double grrrrrrr.
HI ANDY-
I feel your enthusiasm for showing your visitors a grand time in your city – love it!
Love to you
Gail
peace….
Thanks Gail. It’s true
L’ultima cena is amazing but I know it’s really hard to book the tickets.
Dialogo nel buio is GREAT. I went twice and I’m sure your visitors will love it. Do they speak Italian? Otherwise it might be difficult to understand “in the dark”
ps. They also have to see Sant’Ambrogio and another wonderful church: San Maurizio in corso Magenta.
It didn’t used to be so hard
So that’s what I intend to do.
No but last time I went, they told me that if I had told them in advance they would have made sure there was a guide who spoke English
Yes …….. but they are only here for a few days ……… and Sunday they want to be on their own …… so I can’t show them everything AND have time for cafe sitting, etc.
p.s. Cafe sitting (sitting outside with a cooling beer) is quite essential if you come from the UK, trust me
I know this feeling! I promised to show my girlfriend everything in England, and in the end we saw probably about 10% of what I promised! And you never know, maybe one day we’ll come over and bug you in Milan! :p
That would be fine, TSM. I would welcome the chance to share a pizza and a beer with you both or, in your case, maybe a coffee?????
I have my parents visiting from Australia next month, thanks for the hints, anywhere else?
Hi Cathy,
Well, if they’re up for it (I don’t know how old/fit they are) there’s the roof of the Duomo which gives wonderful views of the city on a nice day. There’s the churches that Lola mentions in her comment above. If they like art galleries and museums, I do recommend the place at Piazza Reale (by the Duomo) as they always have a number of exhibitions on. Plus there is Pinacoteca in Brera (also Brera is a great place to go for tourists in the evening – some restaurants and bars, etc.) – although I find that the paintings aren’t displayed well and I was, frankly, quite disappointed. If you go to the church at Sant’Ambrogio, just up the road is the Science Museum – which has loads of Leonardo (da Vinci not Dicaprio) stuff on display. If they like Art Deco buildings then there is the Central Station (which is really amazing – middle photo at top of blog) and a wonderful apartment block, as shown in the picture at the top right, which is in Via Marcello Malpighi (plus round there are a few other Art Deco buildings).
For other Museums/Art Galleries, there is the Fondazione Bagatti Valsecchi in via Santo Spirito (just off Monetenapoleone and Della Spiga), a tiny but beautifully formed art gallery and another, just off Corso Buenos Aires is the Casa Museo Boschi-Di Stefano with 20th C paintings and stuff. It was really a private house where some people made a private collection of 20th C art and stuff. On Via Palestro is the Gallery of Modern Art (but I haven’t been there for ages) and the Villa Reale and behind them (and I know you have kids) is a small but lovely park where only people with children are permitted (and no dogs to mess things up).
Of course, there is always the Canal area (Navigli) for a nice stroll along the canals (and they have boat trips along the canals too, although I’ve never tried them) and which, if they are here at the end of the month, has an antiques market on the last Sunday of the month. This area is also really good for restaurants and bars – and Sunday Brunch at the Indiana Post (about €16-18/head) (see my links on the right) is wonderful, especially if the weather is nice and you’ve booked a table outside.
Will that do or do you want more? LOL