So beautiful! The stairs are steep but worth it! There is an elevator you can pay to take if…read moreneeded, but the views were amazing the whole way down so I think walking was the best option.

As far as local history museums go, this is one of the best anywhere. It helps that the subject…read morematter is so iconic. The museum focuses on the scaling of the Matterhorn, and how the town culture developed around Alpine climbing. You'll find all sorts of artifacts like the original ropes and ice axes used to climb the matterhorn. The museum has three levels. The first is the main entrance, ticket booth, and gift shop. There are lockers to leave bags and hangars for jackets. The second level is below the street and is a metal grate walkway with historical items. The deepest and final level has the largest selection of artifacts and information. An audio guide is available in many languages but you'll need to download an app. Staff is minimal but does speak English.

Located in the center of Zermatt, Switzerland under it's namesake the glass dome Matterhorn…read moremuseum. Entry fee CHF 10, but was part of our 10 day Collette tour of Alpine Trains and Scenic Lakes. Severe space restrictions, with most of the museum underground. Three stories, with only the top story above ground. The bottom two floors have a constructed replica of a 19th century Swiss village, with stuffed farm animals, and furnishings from the period. You walk down the main street of Zermatt, only from 200 years ago. Film depicts life back in the older days, and the equipment used to climb the Matterhorn. Model of the mountain, where you may press a button next to the first successful hike to the top by that particular pathway, and see the lighted guided path alongside the mountain. The earliest hikes from the 1860s were on the more gradual inclines, whereas the latest hikes were on the very steep cliff faces. Today about 3000 people successfully climb the mountain annually, as it is described as a moderate climb, but exposed to the elements. About 150 people try to climb the mountain daily, which takes 9-12 hours. The last third is through snow and ice, requiring crampons. Only a handful of those 150 will make it to the top and back. About a handful die each year, with some 500 people killed in attempting the climb throughout the ages. There is even a cemetery for those killed on the mountain. A much more formidable mountain to climb is France's Mt Blanc, tallest mountain in Europe, with some 8,000 climbers killed! There are guides who for about 1300 Euros will take you to the top of Matterhorn, to have your selfie picture taken!

This is the home to one of Europe's most beautiful botanical gardens. Scottish Captain Neil…read moreMcEacharn donated this land to the Italian state in 1931, and it opened to the public in 1952. We admired the ornamental fountains, sculptures, and waterfalls that are accented by a diverse array of flora. It is 40 acres park houses 20,000 plants of particular botanic value and more than 80,000 blooming bulbous specimens and over 15,000 border plants cover the numerous flowerbeds. The English style gardens are below and you climb up some steps to view the Italian gardens. You can also view the Swiss Alps border - Monte Rosa - which is the highest mountain in Switzerland and the second-highest in both the Alps and western Europe. In the movie 'The Sound of Music", when Maria sings "The hills are alive . . ." you can see the alps, that I saw here! The garden is a real work of art generated in 1931 by Captain Neil McEacharn's botanic passion, plants from all over the world. Inside the Mausoleum Chapel, the windows have 4 round large stained glass windows, featuring some botanical favorites! If you're visiting Stresa, make sure you stop here!

It is a hard uphill climb from Varenna to the castle but it is worth it. The path is steep and…read moreprimarily made of small stones. It's not the easiest to walk so take your time and rest as needed. The castle is beautiful. It is also a garden so there are many plants to admire along the way. The plants against the old stones of the castle were something to behold. There are pieces of art throughout the castle as well. I didn't see the name of the artist, but the ghost figures hanging on the walls were haunting and intriguing. We also saw some caged birds along the way. In fact, one person was hosting a falcon show. The bird was flying off the cliff and back to the trainer throughout the show. The trainer was speaking Italian so I'm not sure what he was saying but watching the bird was very cool. The views were stunning. Climbing the tower provided the highest viewing point and the opportunity for amazing pictures. I am so glad we made this hike. It was hard but it was worth it.

Yes, it's a bit of a steep hike and yes, the view is worth it, but so unnecessary to keep an owl in…read moresuch a small cage for over 15 years. No one is hiking to the castle to see the owl. Very sad

#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

Take a cruise or a ferry to explore Lake Como…read more We booked a day trip from Milan to Lake Como with Ciao Florence. The public ferry was an interesting experience. Our family was able to find a place to stand on the top deck and eventually find seats. Our tour guide and group were scattered all over the ferry which made it a bit disorganized. The ferry itself was amazing. The views were magical on a wonderful sunny Friday. When our guide finally located most of the group that had migrated to the top floor, he gave us a bit of insight into Villa Carlotta. The history is one with many families involved. Originally built on ancestral land by the Clerici family who became successful silk merchants. The country estate and gardens were built in the 1690s. As with many wealthy families, the great grandson spent too much money building an extravagant palazzo, the Palazzo Clerici in Milan, which forced his heirs to see their Lake Como villa sold to cover their debts. Over the next couple of hundred years, the property continued to exchange hands until it was eventually was converted to a museum and gardens by royal decree. Nice to be able to see it from the ferry. Maybe next time, we will have more time to explore the villa and its gardens.

What an amazing place! It's a museum and a garden, the bottom floor is a cool interactive museum.read more

Milan is known for quite a few things: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, the Duomo, the fashion…read morecapital of the world, and more. Castello Sforzesco, while it doesn't get as much hype, is on par with the aforementioned attractions. It's a must-visit while in Milan! We saw the castle as part of a tour which did a gross injustice because the tour guide only spent about 20 minutes at the attraction. We ended up skipping the rest of the tour to spend more time at Sforzesco. Located in the heart of Milan, Castello Sforzesco is one of the largest castles in Europe. It's free to enter. Once you do, marvel at the medieval architecture. You can also check out the park adjacent to the castle where you'll find a large statue of Napoleon along with other goodies. While entering the castle is free, you have to pay to see the various museums inside the castle. The most prominent is the one that features Michaelangelo's Pieta. The famous artist's last work, although unfinished, is one of his most notable works. Beyond this museum, there's plenty more to visit. We spent three hours or so at the castle and didn't have time to visit everything before it closed. Make sure to make it part of your Milan itinerary!

This is a campus of museums- you could spend an entire day here alone!…read more We visited prior to another tour so only explored the campus itself not any of the museums- impressive! Many many various courtyards that all have a different purpose & feel. I am sad we did not have more time here to explore but we had not researched the area enough to... shame on our loss