Milan
Milan is a thoroughly modern city, but it's two thousand years old, the Roman city Mediolanum. In the Renaissance, for fifteen years Milan was home to Leonardo da Vinci, and he did so many different things as a military engineer, musician, inventor, mapmaker, architect, sculptor, painter - kids can really see why he's a genius.
Coats of arms - As you walk around Milan, look for ancient coats of arms on the outside of churches and castle walls, painted on ceilings, or in floor mosaics. The red cross on a white background is the symbol of the city of Milan. The snake/dragon swallowing a person is the coat of arms of the Visconti and Sforza. Additionally, the red cross or snake/dragon symbols is also paired with a black imperial eagle topped by a golden crown.
Tip: Milan has a fast metro (subway)and extensive tram system to take you throughout the city. Buy a day pass, Abbonamento Giornaliero Urbano, good for 24 hours (from the time it's stamped) for unlimited trips throughout the central zone.
Fun food
Gelato is delicious in Milan. Try limone (lemon), fragola (strawberry), stracciatella (chocolate and vanilla), cioccolato (chocolate), crema (egg cream).
Here's our own Travel for Kids hand-picked list of family hotels and family apartment rentals, all styles and price ranges, convenient to fun things to do with kids in Milan:
