DK Travel : Milan and the Lakes

Milan is Italy’s economic powerhouse, a bustling city of finance and industry, media empires and fashion houses, backed up by an impressive cultural heritage of important art galleries and ancient churches. Yet a 40-minute train ride takes you to the azure pools of “the lakes”, lined with fishing villages, villas and laid-back resorts.

La Banque

Low-priced restaurant and disco housed in an ex-bank. The Neo-Classical rotunda is interspersed with tables, disco balls and big screens tuned to fashion shows.
La Banque

This businessmen’s lunch spot transforms into a yuppie disco – one of the few in Central Milan – with live music after 11pm; dress well.
La Milanese

A 70-year-old family place offering the truest preparations of local classics in the city (see La Milanese, Milan).
La Milanese, Milan

Classic Milanese cooking doesn’t get much more fundamental, or much better, than this. Service is dour but good-natured, and the menu is simple. You can even get by just with the risotto e ossobuco , a half-portion of each staple dish on one plate for a low price.
La Murrina

Central Milan’s best shop for unique hand-made glass pieces.
La Notte

Film director Michelangelo Antonioni takes the slow death of affection between a couple, masterfully played by Marcello Mastroianni and Jeanne Moreau, and sets it against a backdrop of rapidly industralizing Milan in 1960.
La Palma, Stresa

Almost luxury-level living at relatively moderate prices: lake views from balconies, oversize marble bathrooms, pool.
La Pietra del Paragone (1812)

Rossini’s work signalled La Scala’s shift from comic opera and Neo-Classical works to Romantic melodrama.
La Rucola, Sirmione

The Bignotti family’s genteel restaurant delights gourmands with a creative menu based around seasonal ingredients and local fish and meats.
La Scala

This is Milan’s – indeed, one of the world’s – top opera companies, where Verdi was once house composer, Callas formerly graced the stage and costumes are designed by top fashion artistes. Performances have now returned to this gloriously restored 18th-century theatre after three years at the purpose-built Teatro degli Arcimboldi.

Jump to top

Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €110
- €110-€160
- €160-€210
- €210-€270
- over €270
Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €20
- €20-€30
- €30-€40
- €40-€50
- over €50