Milan

This is one of Italy's finest skiing areas, to the north-east of Milan. Cortina d’Ampezzo offers great skiing, from blue slopes suitable for families with children to black pro-slopes. The area is known for high quality cross country skiing as well and attracts skiers from all over Europe.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is considered Italy's poshest ski resort. Given this, you will not be surprised by the large amount of bars, luxury shops, fine dining options, and nice hotels with spa centers.

The Swiss Zermatt area, at the border to Italy, offers high class skiing at sky reaching altitudes. Slopes start at 2500 meters above sea level and ski lifts can take you as high up as 3900 meters for a stunning ride down the mountain sides. Despite high altitudes, Zermatt is considered to be a family friendly ski resort. Wolli's Park is a haven for kids and beginners. It is located at the top of the Sunnegga funicular.

Zermatt has its own app, giving you extensive information about open slopes, current weather, tips on tracks depending on level and, of course, a guide to where you can go for that lovely swiss cheese fondue lunch in the slopes.

Facts:

Number of lifts: 32
Highest slope: 3899 m.a.s.l.
Total length, all slopes: 200 km
Longest slope: 25 km (from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to Zermatt)

Courmayeur is located at the Italian side of Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe.

The majority of lifts in this popular ski resort in the Aosta valley are cable cars and chairlifts, making access to the slopes convenient. The main station is at Plan Chécrouit, with a separate lift taking you from the centre of Courmayeur.

Facts

Number of lifts: 18
Overall length, slopes: 100 km
Highest altitude: 2624 m.a.s.l.

The cathedral in the center is Milan's most famous building. Construction began in 1386 and was completed as late as 1965.

The facade which was finished in 1813, is gothic and has lots of ornaments. A total of 3500 sculptures and statues can be admired on this impressive facade.

AC Milan and Inter - here we come! If you are a fan of Italian football, you may like to join a guided tour on the San Siro stadium.

Tours are organized most days, except on match days. The stadium offers family discounts and if you bring small kids it might be good to know the stadium offers bathrooms with baby changing tables.

More information here

Close to The Duomo de Milano, with an entrance from the open piazza in front of the cathedral, you can visit the grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Inside you will find lots of the well known Italian (and expenive) brands as well as some of the more casual brands like Massimo Dutti and other Inditex brands. And, as always in Italy, you can have an espresso with pastries.

Looking for authentic Italy? Once landed at Bergamo Airport, you are in the middle of the famous Lombardia region. Your closest call to picturesque Italy is in the old town in Bergamo. Actually, Bergamo is a weekend retreat for many Milanese.

Other cities you should consider visiting include Como by the beautiful Lago di Como and Brescia, an hour by train east of Bergamo.