Milan, as we know, is one of the most popular Italian cities, no doubt also because of its strategic location. In fact, the Lombard capital makes it easy to reach many interesting destinations that are not so far away. For example, the Alps are so close that they can be seen from the highest peak of the Duomo, then the charm of the fabulous Lake Como is less than an hour’s train ride from Milan, and the various towns and villages that can be visited during the day or at the weekend are also close by. Not so far from Milan are the common cities of Verona and Bergamo, easily accessible, then Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. Trains are a great way to reach any destination, especially the high-speed ones that allow day trips to cities like Venice or the magical Cinque Terre in Liguria – perfect to visit from May onwards.
We have selected some of the unmissable places, not too far from Milan, to visit. Because you know, sometimes – especially for locals – it is really important to be able to unplug from this beloved city.
WHAT ARE SOME PLACES CLOSE TO MILAN TO VISIT TO UNPLUG FROM THE CHAOS OF THE CITY?
1. A WALK ON LAKE GARDA, IN SIRMIONE
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- SIRMIONE (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)
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- SIRMIONE (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)
2. IN LECCO, HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS AT PIANI D’ERNA
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- VARESE – VILLA PANZA
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- PIANI D’ERNA – LECCO
3. DISCOVERING A COLOURFUL VARENNA, ON LAKE COMO
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- VARENNA (Photo by BRIGITTE HAGEMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
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- VARENNA (Photo by BRIGITTE HAGEMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
4. IN VARESE, A VISIT TO DISCOVER CONTEMPORARY ART AT THE FAI VILLA PANZA PROPERTY
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- VARESE – VILLA PANZA
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- VARESE – VILLA PANZA
5. THE ELEGANT CHARM OF THE BORROMEAN ISLANDS ARCHIPELAGO, ON LAKE MAGGIORE
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- ISOLE BORROMEE (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
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- ISOLE BORROMEE (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
6. CREMA AND THE QUARANTINA FOUNTAIN, THE POND FROM “CALL ME BY YOUR NAME”
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- Processed with VSCO with c5 preset
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- FONTANILE QUARANTINA – CREMA
All the places mentioned are easily reached by car or simply by train. To reach the Piani d’Erna all you need to do is take a train from Milan to Lecco, and once you have reached your destination, simply join the free shuttle bus that will take you to the Piazzale della Funivia dei Piani. All other signposted locations can be reached in the same way, for the Borromean Islands you will need to reach Stresa from Milan, it is from here that all the ferries to visit the Borromean Islands depart – about every 10 minutes.
What are you waiting for to treat yourself to your day trip or a weekend away from the city?