It was too early to try the aperitif spots that followed my list, so I asked ChatGPT to show me some of Milan’s ‘hidden gems’. Among them were several choices, including describing Porta Ticinese as “a trendy area with vintage shops, street art and a lively nightlife.”
However, I was itching to see art and history, so I opted for another offer on ChatGPT. San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, The church is full of splendid, vividly painted frescoes depicting saints’ stories and scenes from the Bible. There were no queues and the day was peacefully spent with a traditional (and delicious) Milanese veal chop dinner waiting for us. Locanda alla Scala, The final stop on my virtual assistant itinerary.
When I asked ChatGPT to recommend a mid-range boutique hotel for the night, I was offered four options, each with a one-sentence description. Usually, before I book a hotel room, I do thorough research by reading reviews and asking local friends for recommendations. But this was an experiment after all, so I trusted my travel assistant and chose the first night. Hotel Milano ScalaChatGPT described the hotel as a boutique hotel with a “sustainability and wellness focus.”
The hotel is centrally located and within walking distance of many major attractions. The staff were friendly, the room was comfortable and clean, and the filtration system claimed to provide “excellent indoor air quality.” However, despite being a small boutique hotel, it felt overcrowded with tourists, especially during breakfast when groups arrived at the dining room at the same time.
humanity
in contrast, Locanda Pandenuson the recommendation of Milan-based travel designer Franziska Basso, we stayed for the second night. Dreamsteam Exclusive Travel (Member of the luxury Virtuoso network) felt more like staying at home than in a hotel. With only four bedrooms and accessed by a small staircase above the restaurant, it’s quiet and cozy despite being centrally located in the charming Brera district, full of boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. It was nice and felt disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the city.
