Things to do in Mariano Comense

The Piazza del Duomo is the central square in Milan. The spacious piazza is flanked by the Cathedral of Milan (Duomo) and surrounded by centuries-old buildings. This busy square is a hive of activity any day of the week. Start your trip to Milan here, as some of the most significant buildings in the city are close by and the city’s main streets fan out from the piazza. Go shopping at one of the oldest shopping centres in the world, admire the architecture or drink espresso in cafés surrounding the square.

Stand in front of the Cathedral of Milan (Duomo) to take in one of the largest churches in the world. The many intricate spires of the late Gothic building are truly impressive, and it’s little wonder that this structure took almost six centuries to build. The Duomo is an icon in Milan. It is instantly recognisable in the heart of the city, where it covers almost 12,000 square metres (40,000 square feet).

Straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy, Lake Lugano offers the best of both countries. Enjoy its year-round Mediterranean climate and sparkling blue waters while majestic snowcapped mountains beckon in the distance.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the oldest shopping centres in the world. The grand glass-enclosed arcade today houses luxury Italian fashion labels and fine-dining restaurants. Come to admire the 19th-century architecture. Shop at the flagship stores of many of the biggest names in fashion, or sip prosecco in one of the bars. The arcade sits on the Piazza del Duomo.

Villa del Balbianello is set in a commanding location on the edge of a wooded promontory that juts out from the coastline. Stroll around the handsome building befitting this striking setting and find well-landscaped gardens and an interesting museum.

Book a ticket to attend a performance of opera, ballet and music at the grand old Teatro alla Scala, which has been running for centuries. Today the opera house also has a museum and hosts performances almost any night of the week. Learn about Italian opera and the history of the theatre. See students walking through the grounds on the way to a class at the prestigious Academy for the Performing Arts, which is also located on this site.