A must day trip outside Milan! It's just one hour driving…read morefrom the city, and sort of near Malpensa airport. The villa-museum is a 700' mansion with baroque decoration and furniture. The owners are rich collectors that in the 1960s-1980s buy an impressive collections of conceptual and minimal american art. What it's impressive is that this contemporary art collection perfectly fit the environment, between baroque gold couches, chairs, mirrors, and african vases and sculptures. You can admire unique pieces (some made it for the villa as site-specific installations!) of Dan Flavin, Robert Irwin, and many more. Great videos explain the history of the collectors, and the artists involvement in the development of the collections. The park is lovely, with a great overview on Varese city. Few sculptures here and there made the walkthrough lovely and interesting.

#314-2016:…read more Inaugurated on May 20th 1930, the Milan Planetarium is the largest on Italian soil and it is sponsored by the Milan City Hall. It was originally commissioned by Ulrico Hoepli and designed by the architect Portaluppi, later on it was donated to the City of Milano. Octagonal in shape, it can host up to 300 people on extremely uncomfortable revolving wooden chairs (I believe they haven't been changed since). Little less than 20 meters in diameter, the dome has an octagonal base and features the Milano skyline as it was originally in the 1930s. The Planetarium is equipped with a Zeiss projector that was installed in 1968 and has been in service since. I have been to this Planetarium several times but it was only recently that I have discovered how far things have evolved. I guess, the place needs to lure new viewers (namely of the teenage format). The show (5€ per per person) gives you pointers on how to spot stars, constellations and recites the stories behind said constellations delivered in a contemporary way (WhatsApp, Facebook, InstaGram are mentioned in the stories). I guess things have changed quite a bit since I first came to spot the stars. Worth mentioning that the Planetarium also houses the oldest and most important Amateur Astronomy Club in the city. There are many cultural events held here and in the outskirts of Milan (namely to watch real stars in the field) that make this place a MUST-GO for geeks, nerds and stargazers. If you are interested in knowing a little bit more about the events and the structure, here is the direct web link to consult: https://www.comune.milano.it/dseserver/webcity/Documenti.nsf/webHomePage?OpenForm&settore=SVIY-5HNGA3_HP

On a pleasant November Saturday in Milan,I spent a delightful day enjoying its splendid collection…read moreof Italian Old Master Paintings from the Medieval,Renaissance and Baroque Periods. Since i have a strong affinity for Medieval Italian Paintings,this art museum was a source of joy.I savored splendid Medieval Period Paintings by the Master of Barbavara Altarpiece(("Saint Gaudentius"),Vitale Da Bologna("Madonna of Humility"),Bernardo Daddi ("Processional Cross"),Jacopo Casentino("Annunciation")Pietro Lorenzetti("Madonna and Child Between Saints Catherine and Agnes"),Master of the Cross of Trevi("Annunciation,Crucifixion),,and Lippo Memmi("Saint Elizabeth of Hungary"). Of course,I also was captivated by their paintings by the giants of Renaissance Period Paintings such as Leonardo Da Vinci,Sandro Botticelli,Andrea Mantegna,,Vincenzo Foppa,Lorenzo Lotto,Piero Della Francesca,Piero Dell Pollaiuoolo,and Fra Bartolomeo.At the Poldi Pezzoli Art Museum ,there is labelling of the works of Art in English as well as Italian .The curatorial work at this art museum.is superb. It is a less discovered Milan gem.

What a delightful gallery right on Via Manzoni near the Piazza Scala…read more This mansion houses a personal collection of art, objects d'art, furnishings and lovely interiors. A wonderful collection if you like to see what a man personally collected and kept in his home.

10€ entrance with guided tour only...scheduled tours in multiple languages...waiting by the pool…read morefor 1 hour tour to start...enclosed cafe restaurant by the pool...villa necchi campiglio is definitely worth a visit... house of italy's famous necchi manufacturing family...necchi sewing machines...the house is extremely modern for it's time period of 1930s...enormous pocket doors throughout to section off the rooms or have an open floor plan...each bedroom massive...artwork and personal items still fill the house...servants' quarters and separate stairways...downstairs kitchen with dumbwaiters to bring the food up...servants and work was kept out of sight...massive library, fireplaces and hunting gun collection...double glass wall sunroom to keep area comfortable all through 4 seasons....

Beautiful private home now managed by RAI, featured in the gorgeous Tilda Swinton film "I Am Love"…read more This is a must for design lovers. It's not huge but there is so much to enjoy from the architecture, art work inside, and interior design. Join a guided tour (Italian or English) which takes just over 1 hour -- the guides are passionate about art and know a lot about the villa and its previous owners. There is also a cafe on site overlooking the swimming pool.