Meeting with the driver and the guide in hotel.
In spite of its bustling, modern incarnation as the fashion and business capital of Italy, Milan offers enchanting treasures from its glorious past. Founded by the Gauls in the 4th century B.C., the ancient city of Mediolanum was named after its strategic position in the middle of a fertile plain. From Roman domination to recent times, wealthy clients and important artists have left countless vestiges of their power and taste. First stop on our itinerary is Leonardo's recently-restored Last Supper, considered a highlight of Italian Renaissance painting due to its artistic, theological, and scientific implications. A fifteen-minute walk takes us to the Sforzesco Castle with its unforgettable skyline and beautiful courtyards. It was the residence of the Sforza dukes in the 15th century and now houses the Sculpture Museum. Here we can admire Michelangelo's final work, the touching Rondanini Pietà, on which he was working the week he died. Downtown, the majestic Late Gothic Duomo enchants with its marble-encrusted faced and fabulous spires. The huge square in front of the Cathedral is flanked on the left by the porticoes of the Victor Emanuel Arcade. The cast-iron and glass dome of the gallery shelters the luxurious coffees and shops within. The Arcade leads to La Scala opera house, probably the most famous theatre in the world. Unless a rehearsal is taking place, it is possible to visit the wonderful neoclassical interior and museum, which displays unique memorabilia of the performing arts from all periods.
Return to hotel.
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