La Scala’s season traditionally opens on 7th December, the feast day of Saint Ambrose, Milan’s patron saint
Often referred to simply as La Scala, Milan’s opera house ranks among the best in the world. Milan’s previous theatre, the Teatro Regio Ducale, was destroyed by a fire in 1776; ninety wealthy, querulous Milanese then clubbed together to ask Archduke Ferdinand of Austria for a new one. They got their way: the church of Santa Maria alla Scala was demolished and within two years La Scala was built on its site, keeping only the name.
Construction was funded by the sale of lavish private boxes and La Scala soon became a popular meeting place for the noble and the rich. The gallery, found above the boxes, was open to the (slightly) less wealthy. These loggionisti could be very vocally critical of performances — and this remains true today. In a truly operatic piece of melodrama in 2006, Roberto Alagna stormed off stage when he was booed by the loggionisti, meaning that his understudy - in T-shirt and jeans - had to be rushed on mid-scene to replace him.
Mostly, however, the drama is kept on stage. Since its inauguration, La Scala’s stage has been graced by many classic operas, from those of Verdi to those of Puccini, and its theatre has been filled by some of the world’s marvellous voices, including Pavarotti, Placid Domingo, Diana Damrau and Cecilia Bartoli. It’s a venue that truly deserves its reputation.
Explore the many cultural and architectural highlights of Milan, and learn about its long and varied history from a humble village in the 6th century BC to an important Renaissance stronghold, to the modern financial and fashion centre of Italy today.
On your private full-day tour, you will:
Experience the vibrant atmosphere, stunning architecture, palaces, museums, mansions, churches, modern shopping galleries, and the beautiful parks at the heart of Milan, Italy’s most fashionable city on this full-day tour of the city highlights.
Milan began as a humble 6th-century Celtic village and grew into one of Italy’s most prosperous cities. While it is a large city, the highlights are easily navigable on foot, on this full-day walking tour with your private guide. Experience both modern Milan, with its financial district, and fashionable shopping in the dazzling Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - home to the major fashion houses like Gucci and Versace, Armani and Ferragamo, as well as its venerable history, from castles to churches and old market squares.
Stop outside the Duomo for some holiday snaps – the famous centre point of the city with its Gothic-style spires, and an astonishing cathedral that took over 600 years to complete.
Visit the historic Piazza Mercanti – the medieval hub of the city where swords and suits of armour could be bought and sold. It is surrounded by several grand old buildings which your guide will introduce you to Palazzo della Ragione, Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine, Palazzo dei Giureconsulti, Casa dei Panigarola & Loggia degli Osii.
End your tour with a private guided tour of the iconic Sforzesco Castle including the courtyards and the Museum. Admire the last incomplete work by Michelangelo, the Pietà and other renowned artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci.
Please note that some rooms at Sforzesco Castle might be closed due to restorations.
Experience the vibrant atmosphere, stunning architecture, ancient ruins, modern galleries, beautiful parks and the heart of fashionable Milan, the financial and fashion hub of Italy with an expert private guide.
On your private walking tour, you will:
A 6th-century Celtic village that grew into one of Italy’s most prosperous cities, the centre of Milan is easily navigable on foot. Famous historical attractions, like the Duomo Cathedral and La Scala Opera House, are easily reached as is the temple of Italian designer brands, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Milan is famous as the financial and fashionista hub of Italy. Looking good or ‘La Bella figura’ is an art form in the city and people-watching the oh-so-stylish Milanese is a lesson in panache. Milan is also Europe’s wealthiest non-capital city. Its cuisine is Italian of course but peppered with exotic influences, from border nations and globe-trotting chefs to migrant kitchens. Full of Michelin restaurants, but also out-of-the-way tavernas, local trattorias, and unpretentious cafes down cobbled side streets, Milan has it all.
Enjoying a private, guided tour with a local guide will help you discover the treasures hidden in plain sight throughout the city. As you snap pictures of the Piazza del Duomo and tiny squares accessed through pedestrian archways, hear how Milan became one of the most important financial and fashion centres in Europe.
Enjoy an immersive walking tour through Milan’s highlights and its world-renowned shopping streets.
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