Popular Day Trips from Milan, Italy | Print |
Written by Meri Howard   
Thursday, 14 June 2012 02:18

Milan is one of Italy's most famous cities, known for its fashion and high art.  There are many international flights that fly into one of the two main airports (Malpensa and Linate) which give it easy access to visit all the museums, parks, and attractions that make it a great city.  However, there are also many daytrips from Milan that you should consider during your Italian vacation.  Here are some of the more popular ones:

Alagna

Alagna (pictured below right) is a major ski resort in the winter where you ski down Monte Rosa, the second highest Alp. It is onthe border with Switzerland and you can ski into Switzerland. It has great hiking trails in the summer.Alagna was founded in the 14th Century by the German Walzer and it still has a German flavor. Go to theBierkeller for beer and German food. You get to Alagna by taking the A26 to Romagnano Sesia and takingthe scenic mountain road of Val Sesia up the hill to the end of the road. Taking the scenic mountain roaditself is worth the trip.

Alagna Italy a town with a popular ski resort

Sacro Monte di Varallo

Sacro Monte di Varallo is one of 9 sacri monti or sacred mountains founded in the seventeenth andeighteenth centuries by Christian monks in Piemonte and Lombardy. Sacro Monti di Varallo is the mostimpressive for showing the life of Christ in life size dioramas in temples showing different stories from theBible and the life of Christ. Varallo is located halfway up the mountain from Romagnano Sesia to Alagnain Val Sesia. Take the exit of Romagnano Sesia off of A26. Follow the signs to Alagna and at Varallo follow the signs to the Sacro Monte which is high on the hill.

Sacro Monte di Crea

Sacro Monte di Crea has temples that primarily tell the story of the Virgin Mary. It is high on a hilloverlooking the vineyards and fields in central Piemonte. From the A26, take the Casale Monferrato exitand follow the signs to Crea.

Arona

Flag throwers during a festival in Arona, ItalyArona is a resort town on Lago Maggiore. There are several walking streets and river walkways and it isbest to find a place to park your car and get out and walk. If you park on the street, be sure to obey theparking laws. There are parking lots where you can pay to park your car. There are beautiful stores thatsell everything from designer clothes to items made by local craftsmen. There are excellent restaurantseverywhere. The view of the lake is also great. In August, Arona holds a Palio. People from the areadress in medieval costumes. There is a parade, sbandiatori (flag throwers), falcons and falconers, duelsand a boat race on the lake.

Isola Bella

Isola Bella is a castle on an island in Lago Maggiore. There is a ferry with a nominal fee that runsfrequently from Stresa. It was built in the 17th Century by Carlo Borromeo for his wife Isabella. It is richwith Baroque architecture and furnishings. The gardens are breathtaking. It is also know for its whitepeacocks.


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