Ringing in the New Year in Milan & Rome

Get checked into your hotel. No matter the time of day you arrive, you'll probably be a little jet lagged, so take some time to relax and reset. Make a spa appointment, then head up to the roof top bar and take in the views. I recommend the Terrazza Gallia Bar and Restaurant.

If you're feeling yourself and want to venture out to do some site seeing or shopping, since you are in the fashion capital of the world, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This upscale shopping center houses luxury brands and is a marvel to behold in itself. Located right next to Duomo di Milano, your options for site seeing are all around you.

For a lunch option in this same area, I recommend G.B. Bar where you can enjoy panini, salad and charcuterie boards.

If you are looking for a fine dining option, I recommend Ristorante Galleria.

Site seeing:

Other options include, Cenocolo Vinciano where you can see Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, Castello Sforzesco, or for those fashion lovers, the Quadrilatero d’Oro district, translated to "The Golden Rectangle" of Fashion which is considered the "chicest and most expensive street in the world."

New Years Eve Celebration:

No matter how you plan to celebrate NYE, Piazza del Duomo will be where the party is at. If you want to celebrate with the locals in the piazza, there will be a celebration going on with vendors, music and of course, fireworks at midnight.
However, if you want to really step it up, I recommend the Black-Tie affair held at The Roof Milano. With an elegant dress code and a fixed menu of meat or fish, you will have the most amazing views of Milan and front row seats to the firework show.

Now that you have properly rung in the new year, it is time to travel to Rome. Check out of your hotel and make your way over to the Milano Centrale Station. Take the Italo 9977 to the Rome Termini. From here, your transportation can take you to your hotel and you can get checked in.

Depending on what time you arrive, you can enjoy lunch or cocktail hour at Hotel Fontana Rooftop Trevi (ZZF) overlooking Trevi Fountain. Be sure to stop by the Spanish Steps along the way. After cocktail hour you will be near the Pantheon and Piazza Novana.

Site seeing options are endless. Let's head in the direction of the Colosseum and Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where you can have a guided or self-guided tour. Walk along Via del Corso where you can shop in the historical district.

Along this route, you will find Unik Restaurant for your breakfast, lunch or dinner needs. There are lots of gelato options around here as well. I recommend Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato for its natural flavors and high quality, and it's just a few doors down from Unik.

For some nightlife options, check out the Trastevere area. In particular, you might check out the Coffee Pot – A small bar with cocktails and live music.

Now we will head over to Vatican City. You can spend a whole day here visiting all of the museums and sites. Tours of all kinds available depending on your needs and time frame.

For breakfast in this area I recommend Squili Bistro, also known as Capitan Cono..
For lunch near Vatican City, I recommend Pastasciutta. Where you can have homemade pasta made right in front of you and people watch while you eat.

I recommend your last dinner in Rome to be at The Jupiter: Located at the roof top of Hotel Mozart. Take in these views of this amazing city and put them to memory as you dine your last night in the Eternal City.