Travel for Kids: Milan, Italy



Italy

		Milan


		At first glance, Milan seems like a thoroughly modern city, but that’s the tip of the iceberg. Two thousand years ago, Milan was the Roman city, Mediolanum. In the Renaissance, Milan was one of the most powerful city states, only to fall under the control of the Spanish, Austrians, French in following centuries. Milan was the home of Leonardo da Vinci for over fifteen years, and here, he did so many different things as a military engineer, musician, inventor, mapmaker, architect, sculptor, painter, kids can really see why da Vinci’s a genius.


			World of Leonardo da Vinci

			Centro Storico – Duomo

			Sforza Castle

			Public Gardens

			Coat of arms – As you walk around Milan, look for ancient coats of arms on the outside of churches and castle walls, painted on ceilings, or in floor mosaics. The red cross on a white background is the symbol of the city of Milan. The snake/dragon swallowing a person is the coat of arms of the Visconti and Sforza. Additionally, the red cross or snake/dragon symbols is also paired with a black imperial eagle topped by a golden crown.

			Tip: Milan has a fast metro (subway) and extensive tram system to take you throughout the city. Buy a day pass, Abbonamento Giornaliero Urbano, good for 24 hours (from the time it's stamped) for unlimited trips throughout the central zone. (Buy the day ticket at any Tabacchi shop.) Click here for more info.


			Fun food –

			Gelato is delicious in Milan. Try limone (lemon), fragola (strawberry), stracciatella (chocolate and vanilla), cioccolato (chocolate), crema (egg cream).

			Tip: Chiusa Domenica ("closed Sunday") – Year round, not just August, many restaurants and cafes in Milan are closed on Sunday. Your best bet is Chinese or Japanese restaurants that are often open on Sunday, as well as restaurants near the Duomo.



			Travel for Kids has plenty of fun things to do with kids in Milan, but you'll need a fun place to stay. Here's our own Travel for Kids hand-picked list of family hotels and apartment rentals in Milan, different styles and price ranges, in neighborhoods near to places you'll want to explore:

			Milan family hotels

			Milan family apartment rentals

Tony's Bread
Tomie dePaola

In Milan, delicious panettone, a sweet bread, is a specialty – here's a sweet story about how panettone came about. There was a baker named Tony, who had a daughter, who fell in love with a clever nobleman ... (Picture book)

Leonardo da Vinci
Diane Stanley

Engaging bio of Leonardo da Vinci – his fascination with nature as a child, busy years working for the Duke of Milan, in which Leonardo painted, organized pageants, designed costumes and heating systems, and constructed "the Great Horse," an equestrian monument. Rich, detailed illustrations. (Picture book)

Amazon eBook

Leonardo's Shadow
Christopher Grey

Leonardo da Vinci is painting the Last Supper, but it's going very slowly, and the Duke wants it finished before the Pope arrives in Milan. A suspenseful story of Leonardo, the man, the artist, the inventor, amidst the turbulent life and times of 15th century Milan. (Chapter book)

The Second Mrs. Gioconda
E.L. Konigsburg

A captivating novel of Leonardo da Vinci and his sneaky apprentice Salai, two very different sisters (both duchesses), and the mysterious subject of the Mona Lisa painting, set in Milan. (Chapter book)

Amazon eBook

Journal of Inventions: Leonardo da Vinci
Jaspre Bark

Leonardo's inventions pop off the page – a flying machine, paddle boat, architectural plans, armored vehicle, self-propelled cart, mechanical knight, plus detailed drawings and descriptions in his own words. Super pop-ups! (Pop-up book)

(More children's books on other Italy pages)

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