We’ve really enjoyed being back in Milan, especially at this time of year. By mid-December the Christmas lights are on, the little markets are bustling and there’s a definite wintry chill in the air.

During this visit, as well as returning to a few favourite places, we made some wonderful new discoveries. And we loved it all. Too much Milan? Apparently not for us.

 

First stop Milan central - Piazza del Duomo
First stop Milan central - Piazza del Duomo
From the outside looking in to the extraordinary cathedral
From the outside looking in to the extraordinary cathedral
The Christmas market around the Duomo
The Christmas market around the Duomo
And the famous shopping arcade Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
And the famous shopping arcade Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Christmas lights in the Galleria were slightly different this year, but no less sparkling
The Christmas lights in the Galleria were slightly different this year, but no less sparkling
And there were lots of these, brought to you by Dolce e Gabbana
And there were lots of these, brought to you by Dolce e Gabbana
We revisited the Navigli district where a system of dams designed by Leonardo da Vinci still can be seen
We revisited the Navigli district where a system of dams designed by Leonardo da Vinci still can be seen
And here's the Oh, Bej! Christmas markets around the Castello Sforzesco; crazy busy and lots of fun
And here's the Oh, Bej! Christmas markets around the Castello Sforzesco; crazy busy and lots of fun
Milan has a lovely Christmas tradition of exhibiting an important masterpiece as a gift to the people of the city; this year it's Perugino's 'The Adoration of the Magi' (c1476)
Milan has a lovely Christmas tradition of exhibiting an important masterpiece as a gift to the people of the city; this year it's Perugino's 'The Adoration of the Magi' (c1476)
No visit to Milan would be complete without a wander through Parco Sempione
No visit to Milan would be complete without a wander through Parco Sempione
The historic 38-hectare park is right in the centre of the city
The historic 38-hectare park is right in the centre of the city
This was something new for us; the flamingos in the garden of the Villa Invernizzi
This was something new for us; the flamingos in the garden of the Villa Invernizzi
Apparently a collective noun for flamingos is 'flamboyance' - a flamboyance of flamingos - brilliant!
Apparently a collective noun for flamingos is 'flamboyance' - a flamboyance of flamingos - brilliant!
Once again we were dazzled by the incredible architecture to be found on almost every Milanese street
Once again we were dazzled by the incredible architecture to be found on almost every Milanese street
Palazzo Berri-Meregalli was completed in 1913, at the end of Milan's 'Liberty' architecture period
Palazzo Berri-Meregalli was completed in 1913, at the end of Milan's 'Liberty' architecture period
The lavishly decorated building is a mix of styles and materials
The lavishly decorated building is a mix of styles and materials
Palazzo Bonacossa designed by architect Antonio Comini (1894)
Palazzo Bonacossa designed by architect Antonio Comini (1894)
Today the Palace houses Milan's Museo d'Arte e Scienza
Today the Palace houses Milan's Museo d'Arte e Scienza
This is the wonderful Villa Necchi Campiglio (with the city's first private swimming pool) created by Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi and completed in 1935; it was commissioned by wealthy industrialists Angelo Campiglio, his wife Gigina and her sister Nedda
This is the wonderful Villa Necchi Campiglio (with the city's first private swimming pool) created by Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi and completed in 1935; it was commissioned by wealthy industrialists Angelo Campiglio, his wife Gigina and her sister Nedda
The architecture was ground-breaking in its day; but its 'rationalist' style was also associated with Fascism, so after WWII the family asked another famous architect, Tomaso Buzzi, to come in and 'soften' the home's rigidly minimalist style
The architecture was ground-breaking in its day; but its 'rationalist' style was also associated with Fascism, so after WWII the family asked another famous architect, Tomaso Buzzi, to come in and 'soften' the home's rigidly minimalist style
The family had no heirs and when Gigina died in 2001 at the age of 99, she bequeathed the villa to the Italian Heritage Foundation
The family had no heirs and when Gigina died in 2001 at the age of 99, she bequeathed the villa to the Italian Heritage Foundation
Everything in the house (except the paintings) is exactly as it was when the family lived here - furniture, books, clothing - everything
Everything in the house (except the paintings) is exactly as it was when the family lived here - furniture, books, clothing - everything
Even the telephone contact book which includes the numbers of members of Europe's royal families; Villa Necchi Campiglio is magnificent
Even the telephone contact book which includes the numbers of members of Europe's royal families; Villa Necchi Campiglio is magnificent
Something different but from exactly that same era - the spiral staircase in Palazzo dell'Arte (which houses Milan's design and art museum, La Triennale); the building was designed by Giovanni Muzio and completed in 1933
Something different but from exactly that same era - the spiral staircase in Palazzo dell'Arte (which houses Milan's design and art museum, La Triennale); the building was designed by Giovanni Muzio and completed in 1933
This is Santa Maria presso San Satiro (1482); but that name isn't the most intriguing thing about this church, it's the large golden apse behind the altar - the apse that doesn't really exist
This is Santa Maria presso San Satiro (1482); but that name isn't the most intriguing thing about this church, it's the large golden apse behind the altar - the apse that doesn't really exist
It's a clever optical illusion - the apse is really only 97cm deep; an existing road behind the church at the time of construction limited the available space so rather than forego the apse altogether, the popular trompe-l'oeil technique was employed - to great effect
It's a clever optical illusion - the apse is really only 97cm deep; an existing road behind the church at the time of construction limited the available space so rather than forego the apse altogether, the popular trompe-l'oeil technique was employed - to great effect
But enough history, it's time for a bit of Christmas shopping
But enough history, it's time for a bit of Christmas shopping
If you're looking for something unusual, Milan is the place to find it (Greg's going to love these fluffy boot things I got for him)
If you're looking for something unusual, Milan is the place to find it (Greg's going to love these fluffy boot things I got for him)
How about a puffer jacket for Fido? Perfect for this cooler weather
How about a puffer jacket for Fido? Perfect for this cooler weather
Or perhaps your pup prefers a more formal style?
Or perhaps your pup prefers a more formal style?
And what to get for someone who has everything? Of course! The golden pineapple snow globe. Seriously, what's not to love about Milan? More please.
And what to get for someone who has everything? Of course! The golden pineapple snow globe. Seriously, what's not to love about Milan? More please.