One Week Milan Family Vacation

The city of Milan is an excellent destination for families to explore its rich history, art, fashion, and food. You will arrive at Malpensa Airport to begin your exciting family vacation in this magnificent city. A private transfer will bring you to what will be your home base for the next week where your luxurious hotel will be located in the heart of the city. After checking in, you will soon be greeted by a local guide who will lead your afternoon tour of the Milan Cathedral. Located in Piazza del Duomo, which is the main square, the impressive cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world. The sheer number of detailed statues and spires on the cathedral will amaze you. You will also appreciate the stunning stained-glass windows that decorate the church as well as the multiple altars and gorgeous marble floor. The highlight of the trip to the cathedral will certainly be your visit to the rooftop. This unique experience will allow you to walk alongside the remarkable statues and marble pinnacles for an up-close look at their amazing intricacy. Everyone in the family will enjoy the picturesque views of Milan from the top of the cathedral. In the evening, you can indulge in your first dinner in Milan as you and your family continue to begin exploring this fascinating city.

Day two of your trip will begin with a delicious breakfast and frothy cappuccino before heading out on a private tour of Sforza Castle. Originally a fortress, the castle was also home to the Sforza Family who once ruled Milan. Today, it is the home of multiple museums. Here, you will have the opportunity to see works of art by greats such as Tintoretto and Caravaggio and view the Rondanini Pietà, which is Michelangelo’s last sculpture. Young and old alike will also enjoy the Egyptian Museum and the Museum of Musical Instruments. Once the tour of the castle and its museums has concluded, your guide will lead you outside to the park that is located right next door: Parco Sempione. The beautiful grounds will be filled with lush greenery and flowers. As you relax in the park, the scent of fresh and fragrant flowers will soothe you, and you can bask in these serene surroundings as you snack on a light lunch.

Later today, you and your family will partake in an exclusive pasta making class at a local culinary school where you will learn about the art of creating the perfect dough from a professional chef. Then, you will throw your hands into the flour and make your very own pasta. You can pick your favorite cut, and by the end of the course, you will be able to feast on your delectable pasta creations for dinner. The pasta will be cooked perfectly al denteand will be absolutely delicious. This wonderful, homemade, and family style pasta dinner will be an iconic, Italian experience for everyone and a great way to end your day.

Leonardo da Vinci is considered one of the most talented and brilliant individuals of all time. Day three of your vacation will feature two destinations that are dedicated to Leonardo. After breakfast, the first stop of the tour will be the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Dating back to the 15thcentury, the church is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. You will admire the brick exterior and beautiful dome before venturing inside. The guide will lead you through the ancient building that is adorned with frescoes and marble details before leading you into the dining hall, which is also known as the refectory. It is here that you will marvel at one of Leonardo da Vinci’s ultimate masterpieces: the Last Supper. The painting was completed by da Vinci in the late 1400s and depicts his interpretation of the Biblical story. You will stand in awe at the realistic emotions that he was able to create and will quickly see how the painting is still world-renowned after all these years.

You can sip an afternoon coffee and snack on a biscotti, which is an Italian cookie, before the tour continues to the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology. The museum will be sure to entertain the whole family, as it features everything from displays of da Vinci’s inventions to important pieces of technology. You can even check out the Enrico Toti Submarine and a model of da Vinci’s flying machine. There will also be exciting interactive workshops and the chance to see some of Leonardo’s original sketches. This wonderful day that is filled with all things Leonardo da Vinci will be an unforgettable family experience.

The fourth day of your vacation in Milan will be highlighted with a trip to the nearby Lake Como. After breakfast, a private transfer will take you on the brief ride through Lombardy. Upon arrival, you will quickly see why Lake Como is one of the most popular destinations in Italy as it will be absolutely breathtaking. A local guide will lead you on a tour of the city of Como, which is located on the lake. Its charming and historical highlights will include a 14th-century cathedral and quaint main square, which is known as Piazza Cavour. As the daytime sun shines over the lake, you will have free time to explore some of the shops and dine on a delicious lakeside lunch.

After your tour and lunch, the whole family will set sail on an afternoon boat ride around the lake. You will see spectacular villas that are perched over the lake and picture-perfect waterfront villages as you journey around this unrivaled location. You will be sure to take plenty of pictures as you pass by gorgeous towns such as Varenna and Bellagio along the way. Once the boat ride concludes, your private transfer will return you to Milan by evening where you will enjoy the night at your leisure.

Another inspiring day awaits you on day five of your trip. After breakfast, you and your family will visit the Natural History Museum. Known in Italian as the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, the eye-catching, stone building dates back to the 1800s and is Milan’s oldest civic museum. The museum will be filled with exciting exhibits and attractions in which everyone will delight. You can check out Italy’s only dinosaur skeleton, view tons of rocks and minerals, and learn about zoology as you explore the vast 23 rooms of the museum.

After working up an appetite in the museum, you will venture to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Galleria is one of the oldest shopping malls in the world and will be the ideal way to spend your afternoon. The design of the building will instantly impress you. With its glass ceilings and detailed storefronts, it certainly will not be like any other mall that you have visited. A local guide will suggest options for lunch at one of the cafes and then provide a brief history of this popular destination for both locals and tourists. You will then have several hours to discover the many shops and boutiques. From Prada to Gucci to Versace, the very best of high-end shopping will be yours to discover. The distinct scent of freshly made leather will perfectly compliment your shopping ventures. You will quickly see why Milan is a fashion capital of the world as you pop in and out of the stores and try on the world-renowned Italian leather. There is no doubt that you will find the ultimate souvenir before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Day six of your vacation will be filled with mouthwatering and delicious experiences. In the morning, you will be greeted by your private guide who will lead you and your family on a private food tour of Milan. As you are guided through the city, you will learn about Milan’s different but equally vibrant neighborhoods. One of the first culinary stops will be a salumeriaor meat shop. The delectable smell of salty meat will emanate from the doorway, and here, you will taste some of Italy’s best-cured meats. The prosciutto that you try will be aged to perfection and absolutely delicious. The tour will continue to a local restaurant where you will learn about the process to make a staple Milan dish, risotto alla Milanese,before getting a chance to taste it. Known for its distinct golden color from saffron, this creamy rice dish will be delightful and memorable. The restaurant will also offer a taste of another local favorite: veal cutlet Milanese. The breaded and fried cutlet will provide the perfect balance to the risotto.Your next culinary destination will be a pastry shop and bakery. The variety of sweet confections will be too numerous to count with each one making your mouth water a little bit more. Your tasting at the bakery will be highlighted with a cannoncini, which is an Italian pastry.These fresh puff pastries are horn-shaped desserts that will not be filled until you instruct the worker with your choice of cream. No matter which filling you choose, whether it be vanilla or coffee, will be absolutely divine. Once the food tour concludes, the whole family can take an early evening stroll, which is also known as a passeggiata, and then enjoy your last night in Milan.

There will be time for one last Italian breakfast and walk around the city on your final morning. Perhaps, you will walk along the Naviglio Grande, which is one of Milan’s canals, and admire the peaceful water and old buildings. Soon after, your private transfer will pick you up at the hotel and bring you to Malpensa Airport for your return flight. As you gaze outside the airplane window, you will feel a sense of pure joy as you recount the many wonderful things that you have experienced over the past week. The amazing museums and delicious food will be long remembered, but sharing all of it with your family will make this trip to Milan truly unforgettable.