UNAHOTELS Malpensa

Santa Maria delle Grazie

Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece "The Last Supper" is located next to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Cenacolo Vinciano. Although the great Italian genius lived in Milan for 15 years, this masterpiece is the only one preserved in the city. Also visit the small romantic vineyard, which was given to the master by the Duke of Milan, Ludovica Sforza in 1498. The grape variety is the same as that grown in Leonardo da Vinci's time.

The Last Supper was painted on the wall of the refectory of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Corso Magenta. Milan was not spared during the 2. World War II and the building was hit by several bombs, which resulted in the collapse of several walls and the roof. However, the wall with the Last Supper escaped the destruction and remained standing.

It is recommended to buy the tickets in advance, and remember that each visit is limited to 15 minutes, but it is worth it.

Castello Sforzesco

One of the great sights in Milan is the Renaissance palace 'Castello Sforzesco'. All the city's rulers have lived here since the 15th century and the castle is also one of the largest fortifications in Europe, built by Francesco Sfora.

Castello Sforzesco is a bit like night and day, with an ominous exterior protected by sinister towers and moats, but an impressive and beautiful interior with several museums and exhibitions. Also visit the ´Civiche Raccolte d´Arte Antica´, a collection of antiques and paintings.

Pinacoteca di Brera

The Pinacoteca di Brera houses Milan's unrivalled collection of art from the Renaissance and other periods and, together with the Doge's Palace in Venice, is one of the most important art museums in northern Italy. The many halls are filled with stunning paintings, from Tintoretto and Veronese to the romantic and very beautiful pictures of Francesco Hayez, one of the great Venetian painters of the 19th century.

Pinacoteca di Brera simply offers sublime art in a class of its own, and while art may be a lower priority, everyone visiting Milan owes it to themselves to visit the amazing Pinacoteca di Brera.

The area around Pinacoteca di Brera is filled with small art galleries and bars, so set aside an early afternoon to explore the neighbourhood.

The Pinacoteca di Brera is a large place that may seem a bit unwieldy. Therefore, before visiting, it might be a good idea to make a plan of action and find out if there are any preferences.

Milan

In the middle of the fertile Poslette lies Milan, which is also Italy's second largest city. The vibrant city has everything expected of a major city, and more, in an alternating way that blends the new with the ancient without reservation. Milan offers vibrant life, plenty of culture and art, and architecture that never fails to impress.

Milan is also Italy's financial and fashion centre, which tends to die down pretty quickly. Get acquainted with Italian fashion icons in the impressive shopping street, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, where restaurants, bars and cafés mingle with the best of Italian clothing design and fashion in the beautiful arcades.

Feel the rush of history and power in Castello Sforzesco, the muses of art and Hayez's hot kiss, Il Bacio, in Pinacoteca di Brera, not forgetting Calaf's soaring and confident 'Nessun dorma' from La Scala opera. Milan is overwhelming, to say the least, in a pleasant and sometimes hectic way. But there is always a little green spot where visitors can rest their ears after the cultural bombardment. Milanese are proud of their city, historical heritage, and their football team, and rightly so, more than they should be.

La Scala

Go on a city break in Europe and enjoy a cheap weekend in Milan, Italy. Find a cheap hotel stay at Risskov and get away on a city break filled with exciting experiences. Piazza della Scala is home to the very famous opera, La Scala, built in 1778 and the centre of the most exquisite singing experiences. It is the place where opera singers let their voices lead the audience in and out of fairy tales, with adultery, murder, heroes, anti-heroes and both sadness and joy. The words 'Just for pleasure' certainly apply here, and La Scala Opera has provided the backdrop for the premieres of Verdi's Otello and Puccini's Turandot, among others.

The Scala opera is very busy and it can be a bit of a hassle to get tickets, but try La Scala's website anyway and remember to do it well in advance or drop by the box office.

Also visit the small museum which contains a lot of history about the opera and many of the famous singers who have performed in the famous opera house. Find a cheap trip at Risskov and come on a wonderful summer holiday or winter holiday to Milan.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Shopping is an obvious activity when you go on a city break or weekend break in Milan. The main shopping street, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, is full of expensive boutiques and is a great place to browse and window shop. The arcade houses all the big brands, from Prada to Gucci, and is particularly remembered for terminating McDonald's lease when the burger chain didn't fit in with the surroundings. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II was completed in 1865, and numerous shopping arcades around the world have tried to emulate its magnificent architecture. It's also where Milanese meet to be seen and perhaps flirt a little, and the many restaurants and great bars are always a good place to meet and experience hectic Milan up close.

Lake Como

Como is close to the Swiss border and is a popular town with tourists. Como town in the southernmost part of Lake Como, which is also the third largest in Italy, and which is certainly one of the very big reasons why Como is so popular with tourists.

Lake Como is considered one of Europe's most beautiful lakes, and a trip north along the lake will inevitably bring the traveller close to Hollywood personalities and other famous names who all have homes in the area. After the Ice Age, the glaciers began to disappear and Lake Como was the result when the ice finally melted. The lake is enclosed between rock walls and has a very beautiful deep blue and inviting colour.