milan with kids

[Milan, Italy] Monte Stella: The Hill with a View of Milan

If you are weary from sightseeing and shopping in Milan, and are looking for a tranquil setting, head to the lovely Monte Stella. Condition: You would need a little bit of energy to hike up the hill :). If you are a fitness enthusiast, you could jog along the path here. Monte Stella is a verdant location with various paths leading around and up the hill. This artificial hill was created from rubble resulting from WWII damage.

Pasquetta at Giardini Pubblici, Milan

The Monday after Easter Sunday, known as Pasquetta, is typically spent outdoors – in the countryside with friends, a picnic in a garden… And so, although the weather was barely showing signs of spring, we decided to visit one of the public parks in Milan, the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli. We had already seen the civic aquariumand the Museum of Natural History that are located in the same garden. This time, we were ready to enjoy the outdoors.

Milan’s Centerpiece: The Duomo

I gazed and admired and stared and marveled and wondered and gazed again… We rode the metro to the ‘Duomo’ stop, took the exit towards the Piazza del Duomo, ascended the stairs, and… I simply couldn’t take my eyes off the Duomo, located in the heart of Milan. I had viewed many pictures of this centerpiece of Milan earlier. Yet, when I saw the actual marble structure in all its grandeur (there is absolutely nothing that is simple about it), I was almost speechless.

The Milan Aquarium: A small delight for kids

A winter weekend in Milan. Freezing temperatures outdoors. A three-and-a-half year old bundle of energy waiting to head out on a weekend morning. Parents in deep thought. How about the Milan Aquarium? It turned out to be a great decision on our part. A short ride in one of our favorite modes of transport, the tram, took us to one end of Parco Sempione, where the Milan Aquariumis located. This small aquarium, which offers free entry to all visitors, was a welcome respite from the bitter cold outside.