Though Milan is a "I-have-no-time-to-lose" metropolis - by European standards, at least - its environs offer a wide range of much softer environments (or harder, if you might like, for instance, to climb a rocky mountain close to Lake Como). Both art and nature are here to please you, within easy reach by car.

What would you like to visit?
.:. A Medieval setting. What about the abbeys of Chiaravalle or Morimondo?
.:. A Renaissance setting. What about the Certosa of Pavia, the square in Vigevano or the 16th century "ideal town" of Sabbioneta?
.:. Lakes and mountains. What about Como, Bellagio or Stresa and its islets?
.:. Industrial archaeology. What about the Unesco Heritage site of Crespi d'Adda?

Have you got kids travelling with you?
What about Gardaland?

Which direction are you heading in?
North. (the Lakes, the Mountains, Central Europe)
You could drive to Como, Bellagio or Stresa.
East. (Lake Garda, Venice)
You could drive to Crespi d'Adda, Gardaland or Sabbioneta.
South. (the Po river, Florence, Rome)
You could drive to the abbey of Chiaravalle or the Certosa di Pavia.
West. (Turin, France)
You could go to the abbey of Morimondo or drive through Vigevano.

Are you interested in art exhibitions?
Why not browsing our what's on / out of town section?

  No Car?
If you don't have a car, and are not going to rent one, some of the places we mention - namely the Charterhouse of Pavia, Como and Stresa - are located on main railway lines (to Genoa, Stuttgart and Simplon-Paris respectively).

You can get more information by going in person to the tourist office in Piazza del Duomo.