Private tour of Milan | private tours | shore excursions

Exclusive Italian Private Driver & Guide

One of JoeBanana's driver will meet you at your accomadation in Milan.

Milan has been at the forefront of intellectual innovation for the past two millennia (think Leonardo da Vinci, Saint Ambrose and the early Church Fathers). As a result, the city offers plenty of historical and intellectual heritage, plus some great places to eat, and of course is denominated "the Capital of the Fashion" so you can shop a lot if you want.

The first stop for most tourists is to pay their respects to the breathtaking Duomo. Some 3,500 statues adorn the exterior of this vast cathedral - the third largest in Christendom - which they started to build in 1386 and finished in 1805 because Napoleon wanted to be crowned King of Italy there. If you are lucky enough to visit on a clear day, the view from the roof reaches as far as the Alps, over 60 miles away.

From the Duomo, it's a short walk to La Scala, via the exquisite Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Completed in 1867, this glass-roofed arcade with marble flooring was built to accommodate shopping, strolling, people-watching and coffee-drinking. The opera itself is only in season from 7 December to the end of June, but you can always visit the theatre's museum.

North of the Duomo in Brera is the Pinacoteca Brera, Milan's best art collection, covering 700 years of Italian art. Treasures include Raphael's Marriage of the Virgin, Piero della Francesca's Brera Altarpiece, and works by Titian, Canaletto and Caravaggio.

Further art is on view at the Castello Sforzesco, including the Rondanini Pietà by Michelangelo, and works by Mantegna, Bellotto and Canaletto.

Behind the Castello is the Parco Sempione, one of the few green areas in central Milan. The Triennale building is an obvious mecca for all design fans. Apart from the exhibitions, the café is a big draw: the chairs are all copies of famous modern designs.

The defining intellectual and moral figure in Milanese history is Saint Ambrose, bishop from 374 to 397AD. At the time, Milan was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, although the current Lombard Romanesque design of the Sant'Ambrogio church complex dates from the 11th century.

Another famous adopted son was Leonardo da Vinci. He spent 24 years away from Vinci working for the ruling Sforza family. You'll need to book four weeks in advance if you want to see his Last Supper.

Leonardo, being the supreme multi-tasker that he was, also helped design the locks and canals (navigli) that served as Milan's commercial lifeline. Only the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese remain. The Navigli district, where they converge, is now a focus for trendy boutiques, bars and restaurants.

The Best of Milan

JoeBananaLimos

Milan...

NOTES:

"The proposed itineraries are only examples of possible tours. For different pick up / drop off locations or customized itineraries we invite you to contact JoeBananalimos and he'll help you to design your own tour. "

GENERAL INFORMATION

Available: all year round

Tour duration: 9 hours

DEPARTURE TIME

09:00 AM suggested time

Pick up - drop off location: at your accomodation in Milan or surroundings.

INCLUDED

Luxury air conditioned vehicle

English speaking driver

All taxes, parking, tolls, gasoline and driver maintenance

NOT INCLUDED

Meals and drinks