Best of Milan & Lake Como
Get spooky at Monumental Cemetary
You may think I’m crazy for kicking off this ‘Best of Milan and Lake Como’ list with a cemetery, but hear me out. Famed for its plethora of artistic tombs and monuments, Monumental Cemetary has some seriously staggering sarcophagi, legendary crypts and is essentially the city’s best outdoor sculpture gallery. Pay your respects to some of Italy’s greats while you track down the Campari family tomb (yes, Italy’s iconic drink) which is a replica statue of The Last Supper.
Wes Anderson’s Cafe & Magical Mushrooms
Whilst honestly for me the Fondazione Prada is hit-or-miss in terms of the rest of its artwork, I thoroughly enjoyed the installation art below, the impressive gold facade of the building, and the cute Wes Anderson-designed cafe complete with pinball machines that feature Wes’s fave actor, Jason Schwartzman.
Wander the streets … and visit the Galleria
No trip to Milan is complete without a trip to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Duomo. Although completely swarming with tourists, these beautiful spots, which stand side-by-side, are still very much worth checking out (but I do recommend trying to see these earlier in the morning for the best photo-op). If you’re a designer brand lover, the Galleria has everything from Gucci to Prada and more. These monuments are extremely central so there is no need to seek them out as you will accidentally stumble upon them day after day.
Elsewhere you can indulge your senses with truffle cacio e pepe at pink palace Gloria Osteria (part of the Big Mamma group), or stroll through upscale Brera where you’ll find everything from vintage perfumeries to the Pinoteca art gallery.
Or, if you fancy some Italian groceries, why not head to Eataly and enjoy the pastries, cheeses and preserves before wandering down the nearby streets filled with cute artsy boutiques.
Villa del Balbianello & Cernobbio
After Milan, we hired a car and stayed in a house in the hills near the quaint town of Cernobbio.
With tiny roads that feel like one-way streets and sheer drops from cliffs, driving in this part of Italy isn’t for the faint of heart, but the views are certainly breathtaking.
I recommend picking up a pistachio croissant at the Vincenzo Dascanio Café in the middle of town and taking wooden a boat ride on the lake to Villa del Balbianello. Backdrop to movies such as Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale, the former home showcases stunning views of the lake, as well as previously concealed secret passages.
Whilst the gardens of the villa are lovely, it’s worth taking a sneak peek inside with a tour - although, book ahead as these sell out fast! Once your eyes have had their fill and you’re ready to fill your belly, you can leave the property through some very grandiose gates and take a water taxi. I recommend trying the risotto at Osteria del Beuc in Cernobbio, it was the best.
Villa d’Este
With a prominent position on the Lake, hidden behind tall gates, Villa d’Este feels at once exclusive and luxurious. It was the perfect spot for our elopement! Formerly a 16th-century royal residence, now a 5-star hotel, the building retains its royal charms with long halls and grand staircases.
Apart from the restaurant, Veranda which serves up mouthwatering dishes and was featured in the 2023 Michelin Guide, the most impressive part for me was the sweeping view from the mosaic garden to the pool.
To add to the enchantment, during the evening we enjoyed fireworks and a live jazz band at the tables outside overlooking the lake. The cocktails were exorbitantly priced but if you consider that you get the view and show included, it seems like a small price to pay for such a great time.
