Monza is a hidden jewel because of its proximity to Milan. We were in Milan just prior to going to Monza. I was there 15 years ago, staying at the Hotel de la Ville. 15 years later, We have to say that we were disappointed in Milan as a location...the amount of graffiti was staggering, and the streets had a fair amount of litter. On the brighter side, the Last Supper tour was awesome, the cooking class fun and informative, and the streetside Caffe Dante became our favorite spot. Monza, on the other hand, is much nicer all around...beautiful parks, the central town area is clean, very little graffiti, and loaded with historical buildings. In my opinion, Monza is a true gem. I'd bypass Milan any day for Monza. And, the Hotel de la Ville is a stunning 4+ star hotel that is a must stay, directly across from a massive historical villa, Villa Reale. Our guide through Monza was Elisa. She was nothing short of fabulous! Leisurely paced, no rush, very knowledgeable in a way that captivated your attention. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND Monza as a destination and Elisa as a guide!



















