We really enjoyed Milan last April but it wasn't as warm then and rained quite a lot. Sit at a bar in a piazza with a coffee in the morning and just watch people, there are elegant peeps in Milan
YYou could always just do the Passo della Tenda (26 hairpin bends on gravel) to cross the border, then head to Milan via Cuneo .
It would be easier and quicker than the Via del Sale
Good start @Pedro apart from the weather. You've definitely made the correct decision about the Via del Sale , it's not the place for a rental bike on gay tyres
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, it's a bit suspicious Fred. There's not a bit of mud on those tyres and you live in Wales, if you lived in the south of France I wouldn't question it ............