Things To Do
Milan
Duomo di Milano: Must-see while in Milan! The Duomo is the 2nd largest Catholic Cathedral in the world. Construction began in 1386 & took over 6 centuries to complete. You can buy tickets online in advance to climb the terrace & revel in a wonderful view! Around the Duomo, are lots of shops & restaurants. Right across, is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's oldest shopping mall. Last Supper: The original Last Supper painting can be found in the Leonardo Museum in the heart of the city. You must purchase tickets online in advance. Navigli Canal: This historic canal has lots of bars & cafes. You can easily walk or take the metro from the city center. Sforzeco Castle: Beautiful, medieval castle built in the 15th century. You can easily walk or take the metro from the city center. Via Pasteria Milano- delicious pasta & very affordable. 2 glasses of wine for only 10 euros! Fabbrica del Grano- great Italian food near city center And every street has great gelato :)
Lake Maggiore
While Varese has a beautiful lake of its own, we highly recommend checking out the surrounding lakes as well either before or after the wedding events. If you are looking for a scenic and elegant experience, Lake Maggiore is the perfect option. The lake runs up to Switzerland, so there are amazing views of the Swiss Alps and the Borromean Islands. Stresa, Laveno, and Verbania are all beautiful cities to visit on this lake that offer lots of restaurants and shopping and a variety of price points. If you are looking for a 5-star, luxurious experience, book a stay at the Villa e Palazzo Aminta in Stresa. This hotel is ranked as one of the Leading Hotels of the World and offers first class dining, state-of-the-art spa treatments, and a marvelous view of the Borromean islands.
Lake Como
Lake Como is one of the most iconic waterfronts in Italy. There are lots of great towns surrounding this lake, but it can be more crowded and expensive compared to Lake Maggiore. If you want to visit Lake Como, we recommend skipping the town of Como (very crowded and more industrial) and heading to Bellagio. Bellagio is the most famous town on Lake Como and offers beautiful gardens and great shopping. Check out Giardini di Villa Melzi for beautiful gardens with a lake view. Fun fact: we had our engagement photo shoot here! On both Lake Como & Lake Maggiore, you can easily hop on the ferry to explore the lake and visit other towns. You can buy tickets directly at the ferry station and tickets are around $7 per person.