![Go to an opera when you're in Milan - La Scalla Opera House in Milan, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/lascala-operahouse-milan-italy-thetastesf-1009757.jpg)
Our jet lag was especially bad on our most recent trip to Italy, so even after a late dinner of cocktails, charcuterie, and wine at the Bulgari Hotel Milano, we were wide awake at 4:45 AM. We checked what time sunrise was and debated whether we should head out for an early morning walk, and after trying unsuccessfully to fall back asleep for another hour, we decided a sunrise photography walk was the best plan.
![The neighborhood where the luxury Hotel Bulgari Milano is located is full of blooming trees in the spring, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/bulgari-hotel-milano-italy-thetastesf-1000003.jpg)
![Streets of Milan - Early morning strolls around Milan, Italy - see a snapshot of Milan for your next vacation, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-italy-thetastesf-1009752.jpg)
![Visit the galleria vittorio emanuele in Milan, Italy The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/galleria-vittorio-emanuele-milan-italy-thetastesf-1009778.jpg)
![The shops in the galleria vittorio emanuele in Milan Italy, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-italy-thetastesf-1009878-2.jpg)
![Stroll around milan in the early hours of the morning, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-italy-thetastesf-1009759.jpg)
![Visit the galleria vittorio emanuele in Milan Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/galleria-vittorio-emanuele-milan-italy-thetastesf-1009762.jpg)
Milan, especially the Centro Storico, is beautiful at daybreak. The streets are quiet and free of tourists, and we had an amazing time getting pictures of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele nearly empty, with wet pavement glistening in the early morning light. The Piazza Duomo was similarly quiet, with just a few runners and yogis exercising and some very early commuters on their way to the office.
![Visit the milan cathedral duomo di milano, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-cathedral-duomodimilano-milan-italy-thetastesf-1009819.jpg)
![Get insider tips on your visit the milan cathedral duomo di milano, climb to the roof and see the beautiful architecture and the entire city of milan, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-cathedral-duomodimilano-milan-italy-thetastesf-1009968.jpg)
![Get insider tips on your visit the milan cathedral duomo di milano, climb to the roof and see the beautiful architecture and the entire city of milan, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-cathedral-duomodimilano-milan-italy-thetastesf-1009976-2.jpg)
We always try to avoid crowds, and in the quiet of the morning, and with no lines, we decided to check out the Duomo, which opens at 8:00 AM. We had a great experience, and are share our tips for visiting and skipping the lines here.
![Venture around Milan Italy for amazing shopping and beautiful architecture, The Taste FS](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-italy-thetastesf-1009793.jpg)
![Walk around Milan Italy for amazing shopping and beautiful architecture, The Taste FS](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-italy-thetastesf-1009854.jpg)
![Beautiful gardens and fountains - Early morning strolls around Milan, Italy - see a snapshot of Milan for your next vacation, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-italy-thetastesf-1009989.jpg)
![We love the displays in milan and the luxury shopping - valextra in Milan, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/valextra-milan-italy-thetastesf-1000065.jpg)
![Get a coffee in the morning at the Campari Bar in Milan, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/campari-bar-milan-italy-thetastesf-1009939.jpg)
![See window boxes with trailing vines - Early morning strolls around Milan, Italy - see a snapshot of Milan for your next vacation, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-italy-thetastesf-1009996.jpg)
![Vespas leaning on the wall - Early morning strolls around Milan, Italy - see a snapshot of Milan for your next vacation, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/milan-italy-thetastesf-1009987.jpg)
We headed over for coffee at Pasticceria Marchesi as soon as they opened, and prior to getting our tickets to the Duomo. This gorgeous cafe (owned by Prada) is a must-stop in Milan if you love coffee and confections.
One thing we love about Milan is the store displays. The shopping here is fantastic, and the Milanese display products with so much pride that the installations are like works of art – both in the store windows and displays inside. As we walked back to our hotel shops began to open, so we popped into a few like Valextra (which was particularly striking) to see how they displayed their leather goods – on giant cuts of wood from floor to ceiling. The store not only looked cool, but it smelled amazing! Just one example of the extraordinary touches.