Born and raised in Milan, Alessandro Bianchi offers a personal lens on the city — from childhood favourites to family-friendly places worth discovering today.
“We love to call it relational tourism because it’s creating relations between people with different traditions, cultures and languages.”
Alessandro’s top 5:
For the curious
The Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology holds a special place in my heart. I would visit this beautiful place every Sunday as a child, and to this day it is my number one choice for families. Set in an old monastery, children can explore all types of inventions, from the railway to airship pavilions – for me, this spot brings fantasy alive. On a rainy day, I’d recommend The Museum of Children. It’s a 15-minute drive from the hotel and focuses on interactive learning through exhibits and fun workshops. Or perhaps head to The Museum of Natural History in Montanelli Park, it has something for all children, be it cars, machinery, nature or dinosaurs - which are always a particular favourite.
For the culinary-minded
We love to eat in Italy, it’s a cliche, but it’s true! And I think it’s a great way to bond, through food so I like to recommend an afternoon cooking class. The Navigli area offers a selection of private companies that will teach you to make dishes such as Mondeghili, traditional Milanese meatballs - a firm family favourite. For families with pickier eaters, I’d head to Da Berti in the Isola district. It’s an easy-going venue, a traditional Milanese trattoria that serves a range of food from pasta dishes to fish and steak. It also has its own garden, which is great for children to play. I’d recommend making friends with the sommelier as they have some amazing wines and a great wine cellar that he might give you a tour of if you play your cards right!
For the sweet tooth
I’m a big ice cream lover. Gelato reminds me a lot of my childhood and heading to the park with an ice cream in hand. My favourite shop, and one beloved of the Milanese people, is Massimo del Gelato, which is close to 30 years old. It’s famous for having the largest variety of chocolate flavours in Milan - there’s something for everyone, but my personal favourite is pistachio or salted caramel.
For the adrenaline-seeking
Montanelli Park is a great place for kids to let off some steam, or for a bigger playground, families should visit Parco Sempione - it’s the old armoury of Sforza Castle so it’s fun to run around pretending you’re a knight in battle. There is also a small electric train that takes you on a scenic route around part of the park, so it’s a nice activity for an afternoon. For those travelling with adrenaline-seeking teenagers, Aero Gravity, an indoor skydiving centre, is my top recommendation. There is the opportunity for families to do it together - if they’re feeling brave enough! For a calmer activity, but no less fun, Zero Gravity is a great place to go trampolining, which kids of all ages can enjoy.
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Milan
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Milan
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Milan