Discover the highlights of Milan on a half-day guided tour, including entrance to the legendary opera house of La Scala. Start in the heart of the city, at the famous Duomo. The Gothic cathedral is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful churches in the world, and your guide will point out aspects of its impressive façade. Admire its flying butresses, and the gilded bronze statue of "Madonnina" atop the main spire. Continue to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a walk through the glass vaults of the majestic 19th-century shopping arcade. Often referred to as, “Salotto di Milano” (“Milan’s Drawing Room”), the gallery is surrounded by boutique shops and cafés. Next, go to Piazza della Scala for a tour of the legendary La Scala Theatre opera house. Built in 1776, the theater has played host to some of the world’s greatest musicians, including Giuseppe Verdi, Bellini, Rossini, and Donizetti. See the beautiful horseshoe auditorium from one of the 4th row boxes (except when rehearsals or performances are in progress). Continue to the hidden Piazza dei Mercanti, and enjoy a short respite from the crowds as you thrill to Bramante’s illusion of space created during the Renaissance. Stroll through the medieval heart of Milan to Sforza Castle, the impressive fortress of the former Dukes of Milan, and now the home of many of Milan’s finest museums.