Milan: Located 150 km. north and approx. 1,300,000 inhabitants.
Milan is undoubtedly one of Europe's best destinations in the spring - and the rest of the year for that matter. Here is a selection of the best sights in Milan:
1. Duomo di Milano
The Cathedral of Milan has almost become the city's trademark. It is impossible to go to northern Italy's largest city without also seeing the church too. It is also an experience, for it is both big, beautiful and different from all other churches in the world.
2. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Are you on a shopping trip, Milan is possibly the best city that is at all. If else you have the money for it. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is centrally located, and it is here that all the many large and expensive shops are located. Whether you're ready to spend money or just want to look in windows.
3. Navigli quarter
Normally you associate Venice with canals, but they are also found in Milan.
In any event, two cannals pass through the Navigli quarter (one of them "designed" by Leonardo da Vinci), and it is a good place to go when you are in Milan. Especially in the evening / night, as the neighborhood is packed with bars. Besides the many cozy bars, there are also many interesting shops, which, in contrast to many shops in Milan, are not expensive at all.
4. Pinacoteca di Brera
If you are interested in art, Pinacoteca di Brera is an ideal place to visit.
Despite it's not that big, there are still a lot of paintings to see. The place houses many masterpieces of Italian artists, and Pinacoteca di Brera has a lot of history as a location. It was established in 1776 and is one of Italy's finest museums.
5. Leonardo da Vinci "The Last Supper".
One of the most famous and impressive paintings ever made is Da Vinci's "The Last Supper". This painting can be seen if you go to Milan - the wall painting is to be found in Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan. However, it is virtually impossible to get in on ordinary days why you should not include "The Last Supper" in your program unless you really want to see it. Tickets are hard to get and the que is long.
6. San Siro / Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
A huge football stadium where both A.C. Milan and Inter Milan play their home matches.
7. Monza.
If you are in Milan in September, a trip to the Formula One race track in Monza is also an option.
8. Teatro alla Scala.
If you like opera, Teatro alla Scala is an absolute must. It is the most famous and well known opera house in the world, where many of the greatest stars in classical music are performing. Surprisingly, it is not particularly difficult to get tickets for a performance. It's expensive, but if you want an unforgettable experience, it's worth the money.
Torino: Located 150 km. west and approx. 900,000 inhabitants.
Turin is the main city of the Piedmont region, and this was also where the former royal family had their place of residence. Great shopping, while the city is nice and impressive with the arch covered shopping streets. Turin is the fourth largest Italian city after Rome, Milan and Naples. The city is beautifully surrounded by soft green hills, the lovely river Po and located at the foot of the Alps. Turin is really a pretty well known city in Italy, a city that most people have heard of, but never visited.
Here is a selection of the best sights in Turin:
1. Basilica di Superga
We start a little outside the city, with one of the sights I personally like very well. Visiting the Basilica di Superga is a wonderful experience, which will take half a day to a full day because it is not just a church / basilica to be experienced but also a nice trip by train up the mountain, an enchanting view to all of Turin, as well as a nice village where one's lunch can be enjoyed.
2. The Egyptian Museum
Even though we are in an Italian city, it is possible to look at ancient Egyptian treasures at the Egyptian Museum, which is right in the center of Turin. The museum is very popular because it has more than 30,000 artifacts.
3. Porta Palazzo market
In the center of Milan you can visit the big market Porta Pallazzo, where you can find everything between heaven and earth. The market is open every weekday from morning to noon, as well as all day saturday! The market is divided into several areas, so all the shoe stalls are gathered in one area, all the fruit and vegetable stalls in another area, etc.
You can spend several hours going around the huge market and look at all the many things that are for sale. Many of the items available for sale on the market are not of very high quality, but that's reflected in the cheap prices as well.
4. La Mole Antonelliana
Another museum, but a very special one. La Mole is a stunningly beautiful and unique building, which has become a hallmark of Turin. The building was originally intended to be a synagogue, but today the National Film Museum is located in the spectacular building. Also it's possible to go with an elevator to the top of the building and get a nice view of Turin.
5. Kongeslottet i Torino
The Royal Palace of Turin or Palazzo Reale is a palace in Turin, northern Italy. It was the residence castle for the Savoy House, and was built for Madama Reale Christine Marie of France in the seventeenth century.
6. Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile