MILAN AND COMO IN 4 DAYS - how I planned our visit

    Milan is a beautiful city in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Known as the fashion and design capital of Italy, Milan is also famous for its historic landmarks, beautiful art and architecture, and delicious cuisine. My friend and I visited Milan in March, wanting to avoid the huge crowds, but keep in mind that March is a risky month in terms of weather. However, we were very lucky and the weather was great. We spent two days in Milan and two days on Lake Como, so I want to show you what my itinerary for us looked like and give my suggestions and impressions.

    Day One:

    On our first day in Milan, we started by exploring the historic center of the city, the Piazza del Duomo square. Tired from the trip, we didn't have much energy to explore further, so we only saw the basics and enjoyed resting and trying some food. We arrided around the noon, so having to wait for our check-in time, we started the day off at Ceresio 7, a rooftop bar with a beautiful, urban atmosphere and a great view, drank a lemon soda with a view of the pool and refreshed ourselves. The best croissants in Milan, Aroma Napoletano, are nearby, so we went there to try the famous brioche, and it was definitely worth it.

    After indulging in the late breakfast we had, we headed to to check in and freshen up for a half an hour before beginning my exploration of Milan. In the afternoon, we bought our 72 hour metro tickets, and headed to the city center to enjoyed a walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world's oldest shopping malls, and admiring the beauty of Duomo di Milano, a true masterpiece and marvel at the beautiful architecture of the Milan.

    We had made a reservation for dinner at Penelope a Casa, a restaurant with such a cozy and aesthetically pleasing interior. Although the food did not satisfy my taste buds, it's possible that the reason for that was the fact that I misunderstood the dish that I ordered. It's hard for me to provide an objective review of the food, given the confusion I had. However, I can say that the staff were very hospitable and accommodating. It was a delightful surprise to receive complimentary cotton candy prosecco with our bill. Since I'm not a fan of the taste of alcohol, I haven't tried it, but I can attest to the fact that the cotton candy was delicious.

    Day Two:

    We started the day with a delicious breakfast at Cesarino before embarking on our second day of exploring Milan. I ate a prosciutto panini, a sandwich with ham, basel, cherry tomato and a few more ingredients. It was incredibly delicious and cost 8 euros, but made me full almost until dinner.  Definitely recommend. After our breakfast, we visited Palazzo Brera and the surrounding Brera district, immersing ourselves in the art and culture of the area. Brera was certainly my favorite part of the city.

    In the afternoon, we had the incredible opportunity to see The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Be sure to book your tickets online in advance, as this is the only way to see this piece of art. I bought our tickets online about 6 weeks before the trip. The painting was truly breathtaking and was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. However, what delighted me even more was the picture across of the Last Supper. Few people know that there are two paintings there and almost everyone comes to see the Last Supper, including us, but we were even more thrilled when we saw the Crucifixion by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano, since we didn't expect to find it there. While everyone was photographing the Last Supper, no one was in front of the Crucifixion. I think it's sad that this picture is so underrated because it definitely doesn't deserve that.

    Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to visit Sempione Park and the Sforza Castle, which we planned to, but we'll be sure to prioritize it during our next trip to Milan. 

    After visiting the artistic highlights of the city, to cap off our day, we enjoyed an aperitivo at Navigli, the heart of Milan's nightlife and a network of canals and waterways that were once used to transport goods into the city. Today, the area is filled with cafes, bars, and restaurants and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. It was very cold, but still beautiful. Along with the ordered drink, you get food, and sometimes even a buffet. It was really worth it, the food was great. We also bought some magnets there, since they were twice as cheap as in the city center. 

    Days Three and Four

    In the morning we hopped on a train to Varenna and enjoyed the scenic ride through the beautiful Italian countryside.

    Once we arrived in Varenna, we took our time to explore the town's narrow streets, colorful houses, and stunning views of Lake Como. It was such a relaxing and picturesque experience. It was an incredibly beautiful place and I will definitely go back to it sometime, because I want to see what it looks like when the weather is sunnier. Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy and gloomy on the third day. And I still have the desire to visit Villa Monastero, which opens in April, so Varenna will surely be on my list again sometime.

    On our fourth and final day in Milan, my friend and I took a ferry to the charming town of Bellagio on Lake Como. We spent the morning wandering around the town, exploring its narrow streets, and visiting souvenir shops to pick up some unique gifts for our loved ones back home. In the end it turned out that we forgot the souvenirs, but at least we have the memories.

    We worked up quite an appetite and decided to stop at a local mini restaurant to try the famous Italian flatbread, piadina, with prosciutto while chilling with some pigeons next to us and enjoying the breathtaking views of the lake. We also treated ourselves to some delicious gelato to cool off from the summer heat. I choose raspberry and vanilla ice cream because I like raspberry, and I always thought vanilla was irrelevant, so I wanted to give it a try. I have to admit it wasn't bad. I still prefer the other flavors though.

    As the evening approached, we made our way back to the airport to catch our flight home. Although our trip was coming to an end, we couldn't help but feel grateful for the unforgettable experiences we had during our time in Milan and Lake Como. We departed with wonderful memories and a promise to return someday soon.

    In conclusion, Milan is a beautiful city! I've heard stories about how Milan is pointless, not worth visiting, an overrated and too industrial city, but I actually truly enjoyed it. I believe that every place has its own charm and that it is up to you to discover it. Milan definitely has something to offer different types of people. I think that three days is the minimum for a tour of Milan, and that we could have dedicated minimum one more day to see a few more things, but now at least we have a reason to return to it and discover new cute places and pretty streets. And Como was a special treat for us, Italy lovers! A real Italian place, with a recognizable atmosphere and streets where you forget about navigation and leave it to exploration. Don't miss it by any chance!