We arrived at Linate Airport in MILAN two and a half days prior to our tour start date. Rick Steves advises arriving at your destination one to two days in advance to overcome jet lag, have leeway for flight delays and rest for the upcoming tour.  We chose to spend our "decompression" time in Milan adding another Italian  city to our itinerary. 

 

As the fashion, industrial and convention capital of Italy, Milan's focus is not on its past, but there are several note-worthy sites within walking distance of the Duomo (Cathedral). We reserved our hotel many months in advance based on its close proximity to the train/metro station and found that for the small price of a metro ticket we could be at the Duomo in ten minutes!

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To take full advantage of our brief stay, we made online   reservations from home with a Milan tour company,           Autostradale, one of several mentioned in Rick's travel     book. The guide was well-informed and our three-hour tour included The Last Supper and Sforza Castle which would have been difficult to get to on our own. Tickets sell out quickly so plan accordingly.