Things to do in Milan & the Lakes

Walk among the marble spires on Milan Cathedral's rooftop terraces, then pass through the glass-and-iron Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II towards La Scala, whose museum lets you look into the auditorium from the boxes. See Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper on a 15-minute timed visit, explore Sforza Castle and the museum of Michelangelo's Rondanini Pietà, and stroll the Navigli canals to the Darsena for a sunset aperitivo. Beyond the city, Bellagio on Lake Como has grand villas, gardens and colourful stepped alleys, and Sirmione on Lake Garda holds the Roman villa ruins known as the Grottoes of Catullus.

Good to knowThe Last Supper requires a reservation for every ticket type, with slots released in three-month batches, so book as early as you can. Expect security checks at the Duomo, where suitcases, helmets and glass objects are not allowed. Several sights close on Mondays, including the Last Supper museum, the Sforza Castle museums and the Grottoes of Catullus.