Travel Drunk Note:  Today’s guest post on Italy comes from our friend Shane at NationalRVParks.com.  If you are travelling, or recently returned from a trip and have a cool story, email us.

 The English translation to the title is

“my beautiful Italian adventure with my family” and it surely was. The genesis for this trip started with an invitation that I came across online to join the Hyatt Gold Passport program. The invite simply stated that for $75 a year, and with your successful acceptance into the program, the new member was entitled to two free nights anywhere in the world where there existed a Hyatt property. Now, being what I’d like to consider a great bargain hunter, I researched Hyatt properties in Italy. Italy was always a country on our family’s short list of European destinations, and there happened to be a premiere Hyatt property in the city of Milan called the Park Hyatt Milano. The cost of each night in October, when we were planning to travel, was an astounding $850 per night. This sealed the deal for me. My wife and I ,separately, applied for the card and were quickly accepted. That was four nights in Milan, at one of the best hotels in Italy , for free. Flights to Italy were inexpensive in October because, it seems, the whole world is suffering from a bad economic climate and the cost of plane travel is a bargain. Four coach seats on Aer Lingus, round trip from Boston, Ma. for less than $2800 cemented the decision for us. We were off.

Our itinerary included a stop in picturesque Lake Como.

The plane ride was uneventful, however our luggage was misplaced upon arrival in Milan. This turned out to be fortunate because our cab driver could not drop us directly off at the Park Hyatt Milano because of a workers strike. In Italy, strikers are afforded the right to protest march even if it means blocking streets and shutting down avenues of entry. We had to be dropped off a few blocks away, so, carrying luggage would have been a challenge to say the least. So, with lost luggage and a general worker’s strike shutting down the center of the city, our Italian adventure had an inauspicious beginning. However, fortunately, that would soon change for the better.

The city of Milan is vibrant, active, and cosmopolitan. It is widely recognized as the fashion center of the world. Many of the world’s foremost designers have boutiques and have their clothing lines debut there each year. The world famous Via della Spiga and Via Monte Napoleone are only steps away from the Park Hyatt. Famous designers like Gucci, Prada, Dolce and Gabana, Versace, and among others all display there designs there. Their product lines are quite pricey, but it was great fun to window shop. Even if it was just to see how the “other half” lives.

The Park Hyatt hotel is a sterling property. By European standards, meaning hotel rooms are always too small and amenities sparse, this hotel proved to be top-notch. The rooms are spacious, the beds are comfortable and large, and the bathrooms are spa-like. The toiletries are created exclusively for this property alone by the world famous fragrance designer, Laura Tonatto. The scent was unique to anything we had ever experienced anywhere. Alas, they are not available for sale other than at this property. Maybe that will give us just the incentive we need to return!

The Park Hyatt is also conveniently located in the Galleria of Victor Emmanuelle. This is widely considered the first mall in the world. It has a unique tile floor and a hand made glass ceiling. La Scala, the most famous Opera House in the world is located only steps away. Verde, Toscanini, Rossini, had all of their world renowned operas debut here. It is still active today and operas are held almost every night. Madame Butterfly was playing while we were in Milan. We aren’t an opera family, so we didn’t attend. It was a great experience to visit the theater itself, however.

Milan is also the home of one of the world’s most famous masterpieces, “The Last Supper” of Leonardo DaVinci (Cenacolo Vinciano) It is on display at an unassuming church called Santa Marie della Grazie. It was painstakingly restored a while back and is truly an majestic masterpiece. We were allowed to view as part of a group for about 10 minutes and were ushered out through the ever present gift shop.

There is another area of Milan that is quite charming and not as well known as these other attractions. It is a section called the “Navilgli”. The Navigli is an area of Milan where there are canals, and on each side of these canals are numerous specialty shoppes, boutique hotels, and wonderful trattorias, ristorantes, and osterias. If you go to visit around the hours of 5-7, there is a Happy Hour, where, for the price of a drink, you are provided with the most delectable appetizers called “checcetti”. They are complimentary and one can make a meal of these little bites alone! Many Milanese do!

Milan is also home to one of Italy’s most famous Cathedral’s. It is called the “Duomo”. It is a magnificent example of gothic architecture. It took over 400 years to complete, and a really great treat was when we took the elevator up to the Church’s roof. From there, we viewed a majestic Panorama of the city, and also viewed intricately crafted spires and butresses of the Duomo up close. The Duomo is located merely a minute’s walk from the Park Hyatt. I’m giving a big hint to the reader to consider joining the Hyatt Gold Passport Club. It is truly a great value.

Lago di Como, or lake Como, is located only 45 minutes from Milan by train. We were there in no time. It is a gorgeous lake rimmed by quaint little villages. We visited a few by purchasing a boat ticket that allowed us to disembark and re-board at any village. Lago di Como is also the home of many celebrities like George Clooney and Madonna. The lake town of Bellagio, which is known as “the Pearl” of the lake, is the lake’s centerpiece. This quaint little piece of Italy was actually Steve Wynn’s inspiration to build the The Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

Lake Como is also home to the Villa Balbienello. This is signifigant to all of the “Star Wars” afficiandos among us, because this is the setting where Princess Leia and Hans Solo were wed. This is a stunning property that is meticulously maintained and provides sweeping views of the lake.

Our family had a one-of-a-kind experience in Milan and Lake Como and would highly recommend this part of Italy to anyone.