Asia’s Top 10 Romantic Destinations
1. Boracay Island, Philippines (Pearl of the Orient)
This tropical paradise is hailed as 2013 Best Beach in Asia by TripAdvisor and number 2 in the 2013 World’s Best Islands list of Travel + Leisure. Aside from the stunning powdery, white-sand beaches, this place is also ideal for couples this love month because they can find affordable hotels on Boracay island that are close to the myriad of fun activities they can enjoy.
Adventurous couples can engage in exhilarating sports and activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and windsurfing on Bulabog Beach. They can also explore the island’s beauty through an afternoon of horseback riding. Couples can also have front seats to the captivating Boracay sunset by renting a paraw sailboat or by simply setting up a private picnic or dinner by the beach.
Thebest time to visit Boracay is during the dry season, which starts in November and runs through April. Called the 'Amihan season' this period brings with it, the cold, northeast wind across the island. Humidity and rainfall remain low, and the sea water is perfect for swimming, diving, and other activities
2. Bali, Indonesia (The Island of the Gods)
An intimate paradise experience awaits couples in the island of Bali. This Indonesian attraction boasts of crystal blue waters, white and black sands, tropical forests, lush landscapes, and ancient temples. Couples have several activities to choose from like aquatic sports, cycling, or a guided walk to the rainforest and the beautiful temples. For those who want some food variety from those in cheap hotels in Bali can enjoy a dreamy dinner experience from the rooftop restaurants in Seminyak.
The SOS Supper Club and the Lunar Bar Restaurant & Sky Lodge offer auspicious food, drinks, and a magnificent view of the sunset. Couples looking for tranquility can have Julia Robert’s Eat Pray Love experience in Bali’s enclave in Ubud. The Maya Ubud Resort Spa is a luxurious and serene resort where guests can enjoy a well-deserved R-and-R.
The best time to visit Bali is generally during the summer months of June, July, and August when the weather is driest and the days are sunny.
3. Phuket, Thailand (Pearl of the South)
Referred to as Pearl of the South or the Pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket definitely lives up to its flashy nickname because of its pleasant weather, majestic sandy beaches, and bustling nightlife. The largest and most visited island in Thailand is ideal for couples because of the various entertainment options available day or night. There is a designated beach for every type of person visiting Phuket. Couples who prefer mingling with crowds can enjoy noisy and hedonistic Patong beach, while the laid-back ones can take pleasure in the ambiance of Karon beach.The south of Kata has beaches that are nice and quiet, so does the north of Patong and Kamala such as Surin, Bang Tao, and Nai Yang.
Aside from relaxing at the beaches, couples can also visit the town’s busy markets, Sino-Portuguese architecture, and Chinese herbal clinics. They can also venture out in a car or scooter to check out Phuket’s viewpoints for sunset.
The best time to visit Phuket is between November and April when weather conditions are ideal for beach activities, such as swimming and boating. The six months between May and October are monsoon season, and although accommodation prices are much lower this time of year, the water conditions can be dangerous.
4. Siem Reap, Cambodia (Great Gate to Angkor)
Siem Reap, Cambodia, is known as the home of the famous Angkor Wat, but there is more to this city than its admired temples. Besides Angkor Wat’s magnificent architecture, another sight pleasing to the eye are the visiting monks clad in orange robes, creating a striking but attractive contrast against the ancient-gray walls. Angkor Wat is a romantic place to visit during the love month because here couples can capture the majestic sunrise slowly being revealed from the darkness inside the temple.
Aside from admiring the largest monument in the world, couples can also enjoy Siem Reap’s other tourist attractions like the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the Banteay Srey Butterfly Center, the Angkor National Museum, the Phnom Kulen National Park, and the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary.
The best time to visit Siem Reap is in December and January, when the days are assuredly sunny and dry. Just be aware that this is the peak tourist season, so you'll find it more crowded everywhere and prices will be higher.
5. Bangkok, Thailand (Land of Smiles/Venice of the East)
In 2008, Travel + Leisure named Bangkok as World’s Best City, beating Florence in Italy and Bali in Indonesia. It is also a hot city according to the World Meteorological Organization; tourists need to bring an umbrella and stay hydrated. Aside from marveling at the fascinating Buddhist temples in the city, couples can also admire the warmth and hospitality of the Thai people. Hailed as the Land of Smiles, Bangkok remains to be one of the friendliest cities in the world.
The best time to visit Bangkok is between November and February. This is Thailand's cool season, with daytime temperatures slightly under 30°C and relatively low humidity
6. Maldives (The Necklace Island)
Known as the flattest country, the Maldives has a maximum elevation above sea level of eight feet (2.4 meters). Despite its lowest high point, this happy island is advertised as “the sunny side of life” because of its tropical and tourist-friendly climate.
The Maldives can offer couples a dreamy love month because of its excellent beaches, exotic nature, and ethnic events in the over one thousand islands. The high visibility of the waters all year round makes this country’s waters perfect for scuba diving. Couples can marvel at the world’s richest coral reef areas and over 1,000 species of fish and other marine creatures.
The Maldives are hot and sunny all year round, with average temperatures of 23ºC-31ºC. The best weather – and the best time to visit the Maldives – is between November and April. The high season falls between December and March. The monsoon runs from May to October, peaking around June.
7. Palawan, Philippines (The Land of the Promise)
Named as the World’s Best Island for 2013 by Travel + Leisure, Palawan is also considered as the zenith of romance in the Philippines. Aside from its immaculate white sand, the island is also blessed with crystal-clear waters, untouched beaches, and diverse flora and fauna.
In fact, the Secret Lagoon Beach in El Nido was ninth in TripAdvisor’s list of the Best Beaches in Asia. After diving and snorkeling, couples can have a memorable tour of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, home to one of the world’s longest underground rivers, which is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
For the best combination of agreeable temperatures of around 27°C and as little rain as possible, the best time to visit Palawan is between February and March. The first months of dry season can still be rainy, while the last months are usually pretty hot and humid
8. Hoi An, Vietnam (The Lantern Town)
Hoi An, Vietnam—also known as The Lantern Town—is another perfect place for couples. Here they can take a stroll while viewing the sunset, sip cocktails in a character bar, and enjoy an al fresco dinner in a riverside cafe in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This island is also known for its delectable and affordable street food. At less than $2, couples can savor white rose dumplings and fat noodles (cao lau) served with mint and pork. After munching on local delicacies, couples can ride a colorful wooden boat on the Thu Bon River or a breezy bicycle ride around Old Town.
The best time to visit Hoi An is from February to June.
February to April is the time of comfortable temperatures, low humidity, favourable sunshine hours and balmy sea temperature.
9. Kyoto, Japan (The Ancient City)
In Japan, February is not just the month of love; it is also celebrated as the chocolate month! Kyoto is considered Chocolate Paradise as local cake and sweet shops, cafes and restaurants, and department stores all provide special Valentine’s Day chocolates, foods, and gift products. Kyoto also has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites that couples can visit; three of notable ones are Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu-dera, and Ryoan-ji.
Couples can also make a wish at the wishing ball found near the 24-meter-high statue of Bodhisattva of Mercy, which was created in 1955 to honor the casualties of World War II.
The best times to visit Kyoto are October/November (fall) and March/April/May (spring). You can visit Kyoto at any time of year because the weather is temperate. Summer (June/July/August) in Kyoto is hot and humid. Winter (December/January/Febuary) in Kyoto is cold. The rainy season goes from mid-June to late July, but it does NOT rain every day and you can travel.
10. Halong Bay, Vietnam (World’s Eighth Wonder)
Halong Bay is one of the top tourist destinations in Vietnam because of its distinctive wildlife, amazing terrain, and beautiful caves. Couples can admire the unique caves and grottos filled with limestone karsts. Me Cung Grotto even has fossilized layers of shells signifying that the cave was inhabited about 7,000 to 10,000 years ago.
Some tourists are able to explore the island’s beaches and mountains, but so much more are left untouched due to their steep sides and extreme heights. Thousands of karst formations lie around the bay; some look like a tortoise, a girl, roosters, and soldiers. They are also the reason why Halong Bay has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and why it has been identified as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature by the New7Wonders Foundation.
October to December (Fall) is the best time to visit Halong Bay and peak season thanks to the pleasant weather and low chance of rain, though you can expect double the crowds. While June to September (Summer) is the low season and has a higher chance of storms and typhoon.
Europe
Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Asia to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It comprises the westernmost part of Eurasia.
Paris, France's capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Its 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. Beyond such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, the city is known for its cafe culture and designer boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
The famed Louvre museum houses da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” The Musée d’Orsay has Impressionist works by Monet, Degas and Renoir. On the Seine’s Right Bank, the Montmartre neighborhood is home to Sacré-Coeur Basilica and sweeping hilltop views. In the Marais, nightclubs sit among restored 17th-century mansions. On the Left Bank are the Latin Quarter, bustling with Sorbonne scholars, and the historically bohemian Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The city’s open-air cafes are an institution for casual eating and people-watching. Fine-dining restaurants, bistros, markets and patisseries reflect other aspects of France's famed culinary heritage.
Tourist Attractions: Eiffel Tower, Louver Museum, Cathedrale Notre – Dame de Paris, Ace de Triomphe, Champs – Elysees, Sacre-Coeur, Musee D’Orsay, Palace of Versailles, Montmartre, Tuileries Garden, Luxembourg Gardens, Moulin Rouge, Place de la Concorde, Sainte-Chapelle etc ...
Best Time To Visit: is from April to June and October to early November when the weather is mild and enjoyable and the tourist crowds are smaller than summer.
Rome, Italy’s capital, is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture on display. Ancient ruins such as the Forum and the Colosseum evoke the power of the former Roman Empire. Vatican City, headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, has St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, which house masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes.
The 18th-century Spanish Steps sit at the heart of Rome’s high-end shopping district, with designer boutiques lining Via Condotti and Via Borgognona. Visitors toss coins into the iconic, baroque Trevi Fountain. The Pantheon, dating to the second-century A.D., holds Raphael’s Renaissance-era tomb. Rome’s hearty cuisine includes such traditional dishes as carbonara, amatriciana and saltimbocca. After-dark activities range from seeing one of Verdi’s classic operas at Teatro dell’Opera to club-hopping in working-class Testaccio, once the city’s slaughterhouse district.
Tourist Attractions: Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Sistine Chapel, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, Palatine Hill, Baths of Caracalla, Capitoline Museums, Arch of Constantine etc ...
Best Time To Visit: is between September and November and April to May when the crowds are fewer, days are bright and sunny, and evenings are crisp and cool.
Venice the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, and the Campanile bell tower offering views of the city’s red roofs.
The Gothic pink-and-white-marble Doge’s Palace sits on the east side of the piazza. Before the Christian holiday of Lent, this area becomes the epicenter of Venice's Carnival, where partygoers dress in elaborate masks and costumes. A gondola ride away are the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, an influential gallery of modern art, and the Galleria dell'Accademia, a museum of Renaissance-era and Vedutisti paintings. The covered Rialto foot bridge leads to a market that supplies many of the city's fish-focused Venetian restaurants.
Tourist Attractions: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Square, Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal, Burano, Bridge of Sighs, Murano, San Marco, St Mark's Campanile, Piazza San Marco, Lido di Venezia, Gallerie dell'Accademia, Torcello, Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venetian Lagoon, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Teatro la Fenice, etc ...
Best Time To Visit: is April, May, September, and October. Best Time for Sightseeing: Mid-spring, and particularly the first half of May, is the very best time to enjoy sightseeing in Venice. The cold of winter has lifted and the sun makes a daily appearance, while temperatures are comfortably warm.
London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city.
Sir Christopher Wren’s 17th-century St. Paul’s Cathedral towers above ‘The City’, where London’s global Stock Exchange conducts its business. Royal sites include Buckingham Palace, housing the monarch's main residence and offices, and the Tower of London, a former prison that’s home to the Crown Jewels. The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Britain and Tate Modern explore local and international history and art. West End theatres present classic and cutting-edge drama. Covent Garden, Soho and Spitalfields Market are popular dining and shopping areas. Major public spaces include Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath.
Tourist Attractions: Big Ben, Coca-Cola London Eye, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, The British Museum, London Bridge, Madame Tussauds London, The London Dungeon, The Sherlock Holmes Museum, Somerset House, Wembley Stadium, Emirates Air Line, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, The Albert Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, River Thames, Oxford Street, The National Gallery, Piccadilly Circus, Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, St James's Park, etc ...
Best Time To Visit: is March through May when the temperatures are mild and the city's parks are green and blooming. However, late spring – along with summer – is also prime tourist season.
Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. The fantastical Sagrada Família church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí dot the city. Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró feature modern art by their namesakes. City history museum MUHBA, includes several Roman archaeological sites.
Barcelona's medieval roots are seen in the mazelike Gothic Quarter. The bustling central promenade, La Rambla, is lined with cafes. North of La Barceloneta, a neighborhood with a wide beach and seafood restaurants, Parc de la Ciutadella is home to the Zoo Barcelona. Parc Güell is a hilltop garden with colorful Gaudí mosaics and panoramic views. A funicular climbs to the top of Montjuïc, where the Magic Fountain presents light and music shows, and the Palau Nacional displays Catalan art. The culinary scene, anchored by La Boqueria market, ranges from fine dining to tapas bars. Vibrant nightlife can be found in El Born and Eixample.
Tourist Attractions: La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, Mercado de La Boqueria, Montjuïc, Plaça de Catalunya, Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, Cathedral of Barcelona, Ciutadella Park, La Barceloneta, Palau de la Música Catalana, Camp Nou, Columbus Monument, Passeig de Gràcia, Tibidabo, Tibidabo Amusement Park, Güell Palace, Aquarium Barcelona, Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, etc ...
Best Time To Visit: is from May to June when balmy temperatures in the low to mid-70s mesh with a flurry of festivals that trumpet the advent of summer.
Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell'Accademia displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture. The Uffizi Gallery exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.”
Another architectural highlight is the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone-arch pedestrian bridge that’s packed with jewelry stores. Near the bridge, on the south bank of the Arno River, is massive Palazzo Pitti, once home to the powerful Medici family, showing works by such renowned artists as Raphael and Titian. On the north bank, the Piazza del Signoria is one the city’s most visited squares thanks to the imposing Palazzo Vecchio (the town hall) and the much-photographed statue “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” by Cellini.
Tourist Attractions: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, Galleria dell'Accademia, Pitti Palace, Piazzale Michelangelo, Piazza della Signoria, The Baptistery of St. John, Basilica of Santa Croce, The Boboli Gardens, Fountain of Neptune, Piazza della Repubblica, Basilica di San Lorenzo, Museum of Opera of Saint Maria of Fiore, Loggia dei Lanzi, etc ...
Best Time To Visit: is between May and September when warm weather ushers in art festivals, open-air dining and the kind of Italian sunshine that inspired the Renaissance painters. Unfortunately, it also brings sweltering weather
Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.
In the 1970s Madrid became the epicenter of La Movida, a burst of expression in the arts. The Prado forms a “Golden Triangle” with the Reina Sofía Museum (home to Picasso’s “Guernica”) and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Sunday flea market El Rastro is in the medieval La Latina neighborhood, popular for nightlife, theater and tapas bars. Central square Puerta del Sol houses the statue of the Bear and Strawberry Tree from the city’s coat of arms, while the Museo Arqueológico Nacional displays a vast collection of historic artifacts. Real Madrid, the dominant soccer club, plays at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Tourist Attractions: Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace of Madrid, El Retiro Park, Museo Nacional del Prado, Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, Madrid (Calle Gran Vía), Temple of Debod, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Mercado de San Miguel, Catedral de la Almudena, Plaza de Cibeles, Palacio de Cristal, Puerta de Alcalá, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, El Rastro, Plaza de España, Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, Barrio de La Latina, Madrid Zoo Aquarium, Manzanares, Sabatini Gardens, Plaza de Santa Ana, Parque Warner Madrid, Juan Carlos I Park
Best Time To Visit: is in the fall (September to November) or spring (March to May), when balmy temps blow through the city, making it come alive.
Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River. Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” it's known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colorful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated hourly show. Completed in 1402, pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints.
Rising above the city on a steep hill, 9th-century Prague Castle is now the seat of the Czech president. The castle’s St. Vitus Cathedral includes windows designed by art-nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. The city's former Jewish Quarter is home to the Old-New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest active Jewish house of worship, and the Old Jewish Cemetery, with thousands of vertically stacked graves. New Town's main boulevard is lively Wenceslas Square, where art-nouveau buildings house shops and cafes. Letná Park, with views over Prague’s bridges and red rooftops, has a large beer garden.
Tourist Attractions: Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Prague Astronomical Clock, Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, Dancing House, Lennon Wall, The Powder Tower, Petrin Tower, Golden Lane, Strahov Monastery, Národní museum, Church of Our Lady before Týn, Letná Park, Wallenstein Palace, Old Town Bridge Tower, Jan Hus Memorial, National Technical Museum, Lesser Town Bridge Tower, etc ...
Best Time To Visit: are the spring and early fall when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. Because of the city's generally chilly climate, the warmer summer months (average high temperatures hover in the low to mid-70s)
Vienna, Austria’s capital, lies in the country’s east on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence. In the MuseumsQuartier district, historic and contemporary buildings display works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists.
The elegant Ring Road around the Innere Stadt district features government and public buildings including the 18th-century Burgtheater, where the Vienna State Opera presents numerous productions yearly and hosts the annual Vienna Opera Ball, one of a series of glittering city events. The Hofburg Imperial Palace has lavish Habsburg apartments and hosts displays by the Spanish Riding School’s renowned Lipizzaner stallions. A symbol of the city, Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral sports a colorful tile roof. The Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel in the Prater park has far-reaching rooftop views.
Tourist Attractions: Schönbrunn Palace, The Hofburg, Belvedere Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna State Opera, Prater, Rathaus, Albertina, Hundertwasser House, Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel, MuseumsQuartier, Karlskirche, Schönbrunn Zoo, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Naschmarkt, Prater Wien, Austrian National Library, Stadtpark, Vienna, Danube Tower, etc ...
Best Time To Visit: is from April to May or September to October. The mild weather in spring and fall brings mild crowds. Most visitors aim to enjoy the warm, sunny weather that Vienna experiences in the summer months.
Istanbulis a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.
The Ottoman-era Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) was named for its blue interior tiles. Circa-1460 Topkapı Palace, home to Ottoman sultans until the 19th century, contains royal artifacts and rooms that once comprised a large harem. Nearby is the Spice Market and rambling Grand Bazaar. Spanning the Golden Horn estuary, atmospheric Galata Bridge is a popular fishing spot and leads to the city’s modern heart. The Galata area is known for its medieval tower and upmarket boutiques. Beyoğlu's stylish bars lie south of Taksim Square. The city's eastern, Asian side encompasses residential areas and waterfront districts such as Kadiköy.
Tourist Attractions: Hagia Sophia Museum, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace Museum, Basilica Cistern, Bosporus, Dolmabahçe Palace, Sultanahmet Square, Süleymaniye Mosque, 15 July Martyrs Bridge, Miniaturk, Gülhane Park, Vialand, Heybeliada, Istanbul Aquarium, Emirgan Park, Rahmi M. Koç Museum, Obelisk of Theodosius, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Fatih Mosque, Madame Tussauds Istanbul, etc ...
Best Time To Visit: are from March to May and between September and November. That's when crowds at the city's attractions are manageable, room rates are average and daytime temperatures generally sit in the 60s and 70s.
Milan, a metropolis in Italy's northern Lombardy region, is a global capital of fashion and design. Home to the national stock exchange, it’s a financial hub also known for its high-end restaurants and shops. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper,” testify to centuries of art and culture.
The cathedral shares the central Piazza del Duomo with the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This glass-roofed, 19th-century arcade is now home to luxury shopping and upscale cafes serving classic Milanese food such as risotto and osso buco veal stew. Milan’s cultural scene centers on the 18th-century Teatro alla Scala opera house and the Pinacoteca di Brera gallery, which houses centuries of Italian painting by artists such as Titian and Caravaggio. Twice a year the Quadrilatero d'Oro fashion district buzzes when catwalks take over neoclassical palaces for the famous Milan Fashion Weeks.
Tourist Attractions: Duomo di Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Sforzesco Castle, Teatro alla Scala, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Pinacoteca di Brera, Sempione Park, Monumental Cemetery, Royal Palace of Milan, Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, Arco della Pace, Naviglio Grande, Archaeological Museum, Madonnina, Alfa Romeo Museum, etc ...
Best Time To Visit: are April to May or September to October. These spring and fall months straddle the city's manic peak tourism season, and they also escape the summer's sweltering temperatures.