Navigli by Night: Milan Aperitivo Tour

History and a spritz with an expert canalside in Milan

$285 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: Cuisine
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Milan

Photos & Highlights

Explore Navigli and the canals during lively twilight hours, includes a tasty cocktail and food
Led by a local
Navigli District and Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio

Tour Description

This twilight tour of the Navigli district in Milan is organized as an early evening traditional Italian stroll, designed to appreciate the city and rub shoulders with locals. In this case, we're bringing along a local insider who will shape our stroll into an introductory Aperitivo Tour. We’ll discover a charming area of Milan known as Navigli, a favorite among locals where hopping nightlife lines the placid canal and, more importantly, where we will delve into the history of the aperitivo, finishing our time together sipping on a delicious cocktail and tasting local Italian snacks. This is a great way to begin a trip to Milan and answer a lot of the questions that come up on our first night in a foreign city.

Relics of the Three Kings

Our tour begins at Piazza Sant’Eustorgio, where our guide will introduce the overarching themes of the tour. We’ll pop into the Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio, one of the oldest churches in Milan, where we’ll discuss the 4th century church and original relics (bones of the Three Kings) that were housed here. We may well discuss the plunder of the church in 1164 by Frederick Barbarossa and the subsequent arguments over the return of the precious relics.

Leonardo da Vinci and Canals

As we leave this ancient church behind, we will meander through Navigli along the canals more commonly associated with Leonardo da Vinci. While Venice may be much better known for its series of canals, its Milanese counterparts also make for a tranquil stroll (with significantly less crowds). We’ll talk about the system of waterways that once connected the lakes to Milan, their function in order to transport materials such as the marble used for the Duomo and, lastly, why the canals were covered over. It’s thought that da Vinci was instrumental in designing the system of locks for the canals in the 15th century, under the direction of Ludwig II il Moro. We’ll admire the design and layout of the canals as we potter along the roads, pedestrian walkways and bridges.

The History of the Aperitivo

As we finish up our stroll together, our guide will take a seat with us as we engage in a typically Milanese activity: the aperitivo. But why and how did this become one of Italy’s most treasured affairs? Our guide will help to explain why this leisurely ritual, undertaken prior to eating, has become so entrenched. We’ll take a drink like campari, aperol, or prosecco based cocktail (or a non-alcoholic beverage for those who feel so inclined) and taste some snacks from the region and Italy in general, such as olives, local cheeses, and small toasts heaped with fresh ingredients. This will be a perfect time to ask our guide any questions we might have about Italian traditions and culture, as well as any lingering ambiguities around making the most of our time in Milan.

For a more focused examination into Milanese cuisine we recommend our Milan Food Tour.

Take Aways

At the end of our time together, we will leave one another sated, relaxed, and with a greater understanding of the endearing area of Navigli. Our guide will have shared their knowledge of the area, Milanese history, and delved into the subject of the aperitivo and its place in Italian culture.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?
We meet near the Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio and ends by the Naviglio Grande canal. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and 24/7 phone number.

Can I do this tour earlier in the day?
For private groups, yes. Please note your preferred start time in the travel notes section.

What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.

Is this tour walking intensive, and/or wheelchair accessible?
Please let us know your requirements and we may well be able to adjust the tour for reduced mobility.

Is this tour appropriate for children?
This walk is not a part of our official family program. That said, we may be able to arrange a visit with a family-friendly guide. Please contact us.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Luisa

Luisa was born and bred in Milan. After getting an MA from the University of Rome, she also received a PhD in Political Science and History from the University of Milan. She has worked as associated Professor by the University of the Study in Milano and as a lecturer of Art and History at the Seton Hall University (NJ) Luisa is passionate about Renaissance, as well as putting traditions, uses and moral codes of the past, in context with today's Milan. She's also been working as a personal shopper for many years and is familiar with the best boutiques and shops in the city. When not guiding, she works as reporter for a major italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Jeremy

Originally from Scotland, Jeremy has been living in Milan for the past 20 years. Here he was an associate lecturer in Milan with the Open University. As well as leading seminars on course subjects he took students to visit the Brera Art Gallery and churches in Milan. Doing so, he discovered his passion for sharing his knowledge with others. Jeremy has a PhD in archaeology, a deep knowledge of Milan's past and present and a love for his adoptive neighborhood of Navigli.

Riccardo

Born in Milan, Riccardo got an MA in Architecture and a PhD in Architectural and Urban Design from Politecnico di Milano. He participated at several academic programs, including one as researcher at the New York Institute of Technology and one as lecturer at the American University of Sharjah (UAE). He is nowadays an Adjunct Professor at Politecnico di Milano, where he teaches Architectural Design and Architectural Theory. After collaborating with renowned international architecture firms, he founded rm/a, his own design studio.

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6 Reviews – (4.73)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Great intro to canals of Milan and learned so much... guide was brilliant and tailored the tour to suit us. The food/drinks were substantial so tasting fee was good value for money.

Jennifer

Jun. 17, 2019

Jeremy went over and above to accommodate me on the day of my tour. A bit of a snafu with my taxi driver but I eventually found the meeting spot. Jeremy could not have been nicer. He is highly qualified in his knowledge and experience in Milan. His history as an archaeologist made for some fascinating conversation about the history of the river system at the Navigli. The tour was interesting, professional and fun! I'm so glad I was able to spend my early day in Milan learning about Milan's beginnings and would highly recommend Context and Jeremy to my friends and clients! Thank you!

Denise

Oct. 31, 2018

Even though we’ve visited Milan almost every year for the last 15, we had never really explored Navigli or knew about its origins. It was a lovely stroll with Myriam!

Lisa

Oct. 23, 2018

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