Visit Milan

We can't get enough of Milan! First-time visitor Persephone Hughes gives her take on the city's vibrant culture, old and new

- PERSEPHONE HUGHES 

 

 

 

As ardent fans of rock band Depeche Mode, my partner, his parents and I just had to see them on their summer 2023 tour.

After investigating European dates we settled on Milan, Italy's second largest city, and booked a four-day city break, not really knowing what to expect.

However what was originally the backdrop for a musical pilgrimage ended up more than stealing the show.

A 3am start meant day one consisted of little more than struggling to differentiate between the local metro and suburban railway, checking into our hotel (Novotel-comparatively cheap, without sacrificing quality of rooms or breakfast), and wiping away sweat. The night-time temperature was in the mid-high 20s, with days hitting as high as 38°C. Bordering on uncomfortable, but preferable to drizzle!

Day two was my birthday. We more confidently took the metro (airconditioned, and actually incredibly easy and convenient to use) to the city centre, emerging at Duomo Station, right in front of the eponymous cathedral.

Oscar Wilde panned the Duomo as "imposing and giant as a failure". Imposing though the world's second largest cathedral inevitably is, failure couldn't be further from the truth. What a sight! Topping out at 108m (354ft), the Duomo marks the centre of Milan.

Atop the highest spire is a statue of the Madonna, affectionately dubbed Lady Madonnina by the Milanese, who is said to watch over the city and its people.

After visiting the cathedral and its gorgeous rooftop terrace, we made our way to the Ambrosiana Art Gallery and Museum. There we were wowed by works by Da Vinci, Raphael and many others, before finding an unexpected trip highlight in a visit to a balsamic vinegar shop.