Another place worthy of consideration for a daytrip is Turin, where I studied. Admittedly it's fallen a bit in disrepair thanks to a city council with a combined brain wattage insufficient to power a potato clock but... it's still a beautiful city with some great museums. The best Egyptian museum this side of Cairo, a delightful museum of Oriental art, amazing squares and piazze and great architecture throughout. Food's great too and it's just 50 minutes from Milan or a 90min bus ride from MXP.