By Cathy H. Burroughs
International Travel Writer/Blogger

Thank you, dear Luca, for an enchanting private tour, full to the brim with fascinating insights from you in your spectacular Vintage Tour Milano!

Right out of the gate, Luca, the tour’s creator and lead guide, kindly picked us up in his completely jazzy, super cool, spiffy, classic open top, open air, fire engine red 1969 Fiat 500. He then introduced us to the highlights and saga of our own lively and evolving Dergano neighborhood, somewhat on the outskirts.

A breezy classic car ride around Milan is first and foremost worth its weight in gold. And secondly, Luca is a brilliant and articulate guide with a never ending enticing commentary, extolling all aspects of Milan as he effortlessly, smoothly and seamlessly navigated our uber classy open air ride in the Vintage Fiat 500.

Then he introduced us to the city’s unique layout of distinct concentric circles, dating from its Roman era, its time of Spanish ramparts and its outer urban ring of modernity, urban and progressively forward aiming – futuristic Milan.  Luca, the company’s founder and mastermind, delivered a dazzling historic, cultural, architectural and current play by play. In doing so, he eloquently uncovered the mysterious and elusively beautiful, sophisticated and complex city of culture, architecture, style, fashion and design.

All of this while we dashed lickety-split through the secret alleyways, past bygone villas and courtyards, historic gates and walls and former canals – all places not easily accessed. On our action-packed tour were the awe-inspiring iconic architecture of its gothic center with its epic, gasp-worthy  cathedral, castle and galleria.

Then on to Porto Nuova- and its equally gasp-worthy vertical forest  – a pinnacle of cutting-edge ecological innovation in its gravity-defying botannical skyscrapers. Included in our hour was the storybook cobbled lanes of the ever growing posh and current artistic Brera neighborhood – one of Milan’s most appealing.

Tour Options
This content rich, thrill-a-minute tour of this often misunderstood city of hidden courtyards and elusive interiors offers several speeds and varieties, all with stops to explore at your leisure. There was our quick and fully-satisfying custom-made introduction and overview which we loved (30 minute or one hour versions available); a one, two, three hour or more variation; Leonardo 500, focusing on DaVinci’s massive impact on the city.

There’s also a fast or slow choice, a skyline or central city itinerary (there’s an expanded take on this, as well), there’s canals, a nighttime version and custom rendition made to your specifications- all in your ultra spiffy classically romantic four-seater red Fiat 500. It will be driven by the company’s visionary director/creator Luca, or one of his team of licensed and galvanizing guides in one of a fleet of fabulous five Fiat 500’s.

If there’s more than triple in your party, double, triple or more the fun within your own version of the “Italian Job.” With a string of up to five Fiats, light up Milan, by day or by night, as well as her closely held mysteries, history, drama and innumerable charms!

While these tours are often geared toward a four or five star hotel clientele they are open and affordable for all.

Highly, highly recommended! A pure delight! Invaluable door to door service may be available upon request for a supplement.

info@vintagetours.it
+39 346 83 53 403
Meeting Point: via Palestro, 16 (by appointment only). Hotel pick up: selected hotels only.

Big thanks go to Giacomo Chieffi of YesMilano.

Cathy H. Burroughs is a widely published travel writer and blogger whose passion for Europe permeates her articles and travel coverage. Her articles have appeared in the New York Times international supplement and elsewhere. She is the travel and adventure blogger for www.journeypod.com, a lauded online luxury travel guide, and others.