Attractions

The Duomo is the largest Cathedral of its kind in the world, and features 135 spires, and a staggering 3200 statues. The Gothic edifice is located at the Piazza del Duomo, and was constructed in 1386 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti. The building can accommodate up to 40,000 people which was the entire population of Milan at the time. There is a five Euro admittance fee, which is well worth the price, especially since you can get some superb views over the city from the Dome.

Museo Poldi-Pezzoli is packed to the hilt with treasures including significant collections of jewellery, tapestries, ancient weaponry, period furniture and works of art - including Botticelli's 'Madonna and Child'. Vermeer's famous 'Girl with Pearl Earrings' also resides here, as well as Tiepolo's and Moroni's 'Knight in Black'. The Museum is located in the city centre, metro Montenapoleone, and it is six Euros to gain admittance.

The Pinacoeca de Brera is based on a collection of religious art which was acquired (looted) by Napoleon and includes Andrea Mantegna's 'The Dead Christ', Veronese's 'Last Supper', as well as numerous works by other Masters such as Raphael, Bellini, Goya, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Van Dyck. Naturally, the museum should be high on a list of 'things to do' for art lovers.

For more culture head for the Casa Museo Boschi di Stefano which is a 300 strong collection of who's who of the 20^th century greatest artists. Paula Moderson-Becker's 'Expressionist Girl' sits alongside Umberto Boccini's futuristic works, along with paintings by Mario Stironi and Lucio Fontana. This attraction is located at the Lima Metro stop, close to the centre, and admittance is free.

Museo Inter e Milan is a 'must see' for sports fans. A stadium tour takes in the locker rooms, as well as videos of matches and a look at the wealth of trophies amassed by one of the world's best football teams. The stadium is located at Via Piccolomini 5, a short metro and tram ride from the city centre.

Museo Nationale della Scienza e della Tecnica offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the world's greatest inventions including those from Leonardo da Vinci to today. There is also a collection of steam engines and the chance to hop aboard a submarine which dates back to the 1940's.

Santa Maria delle Grazie is where Leonardo's 'The Last Supper' is housed this magnificent work of art is, some would say, a good reason to come to Milan. The fresco is situated in the former monastery's refectory.

Events

Milan Fashion Weeks attract the rich and the beautiful from all across Europe and beyond. The fashionable set congregate around the Via Monte Napolieone, the Via della Spiga and the Via Manoni, hoping to be the first to clap eyes on the latest Italian and international designer's collections. Catwalk shows abound, and celebrity spotting is a favourite pastime for visitors in a city which is entirely taken over by fashion during the months of February/March and September/October each year.

The Italian F1 Grand Prix takes place on one of the first F1 tracks ever built - Monza is the also the fastest track making it a real highlight on the F1 calendar. Sports fans head here in September, with the track just ten miles north of Milan.

Christmas is a good time to visit Milan, since Milanese people celebrate in style. The Oh Bej! Oh Bej! (So beautiful! So Beautiful!) Christmas Fair takes place in December. There are street markets, around the Saint's Basilica and many stalls selling candy floss, chestnuts and other seasonal goods.

Leisure and Recreation

Milan is shopping paradise - and known as the shopping capital of the world, since with the best fashion boutiques situated around the Quadrilatero. The Via Montenapolene, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea feature some of the most up market stores, with Gucci, Chanel, Armani and Valentino some of the names located here. For a break from shopping a meal at Robert de Niro's restaurant, Nobu, is an option. For those without an unlimited budget however, there are more affordable shopping facilities at the Corso Vittorio Emanuelle, Via Torino and Corso di Porta Ticinese, where high street brands are situated.

For a night out the Brera gallery and Navigli quarters are the places to head for, which is full of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Rolling Stone, Alcatraz and Old Fashion are hip hangouts, while for those seeking culture The Piccolo Teatro features avant-garde productions, as well as ballet.

On a rainy day why not watch a film in the Anteospazio Cinemas which show a range of films, from classics to independent - plus there is a bookshop and restaurant on site. On Mondays the films are shown in their original language soundtracks.

Weather

The climate in Milan is broadly similar to the Mediterranean, but like any other city the buildings and large population make it a little warmer in the summer. In fact summers can be extremely hot with temperatures often rising to 30 ^o Cor above in August. Milan is shielded by its mountainous backdrop in the winter but temperatures in January will drop below freezing at times. Winter is the season which is characterised by the highest amount of rainfall and fog.

Getting There and Around

Milan Malpensa Airport is located around 30 miles from Milan, to the northwest of the city, and most European and transcontinental flights arrive here, at Terminal One. The airport is connected to Milan city centre via rail, terminating at Stazione Centralewith. The Malpensa Express service stops at Stazione Cadorna which is slightly north of the centre. There is also a shuttle service which links the airport with Gallarete railway station for a direct service to the Central Station.

Milan does not have a coach station, but coaches stop at the Statione Centrale for the airport, as well as to a number of other European destinations. Eurolines runs a service from Piazza Castello.

Getting around Milan is easy - especially by Metro, with the three lines, red, green and yellow having stops at all the main attractions. Milan also has an efficient tram, bus and trolley bus system - and tickets can be used on all forms of public transport.

White or yellow taxis can be hailed from the streets, but they are more readily available at taxi ranks which are situated around the main railway stations. Driving is not a particularly pleasant pastime in Milan, with much congestion both during the day and in the evenings - plus, parking is severely limited. Milan is easily accessible on foot with most of the main attractions centred around the Duomo in the centre.

Top 6 Free Things to Do

The Basilica Sant'Ambrogio is a free attraction part of which dates back to the fourth century. The remains of three saints can be viewed - kept in a glass case in the main altar. The 12^th Century basilica is one of the most beautiful in the whole of Milan, constructed in the Romanesque style. Located in the Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, the church is open Monday to Saturday 7am until 5pm, and 3pm -8pm on Sundays.

The Cimitero Monumentale is a Victorian Monumental Cemetery, which provides a means for escaping the bustle and noise of Milan city centre. There is some wonderful art nouveau architecture on view, with the remains of Toscanani, Alessandro Manzoni and Salvatore Quasimodo commemorated here. The Palanti Chapel is a moving memorial to the 800 Milanese people who were killed in concentration camps during the war.

The Parco Sempione features a castle, bars, a museum and the Arco delle Pace, which looks quite similar to the Arc de Triomphe from a distance. The park is free and its well kept grounds are perfect for a picnic on a sunny afternoon.

The Giardini Piccolo is another green space in Milan, which has lot of paths for a stroll, and plenty of attractions for children. The National History Museum is also located here. The park is open from 6.30 am until dusk, and is located to the North of the city.

The Pirelli Skyscraper is an attraction worth viewing, notable for its intricate design by Gio Ponti. The structure is now over 50 years old - and the landmark building even managed to survive a plane which crashed into it in 2002. Located in North Milan in the Piazza Duca d'Aosta.

The Stazione Centrale is Milan's main railway station which was built in 1931. The station is a fascinating reminder of Italy's past and features Fascist mosaics, many of which sing the praises of the Lombardy region.

Money and Costs

The unit of currency in Milan is the Euro, which comes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 and 500 notes. Most restaurants and attractions will accept the major credit cards, as well as the shops. Milan is not noted as a travel destination for those on a budget, and most restaurants will be on the expensive side - plus, nearly all the museums charge an admission fee.

Currency exchange facilities can be found at the airport and around the Piazza del Duomo in the centre of the city. The Banca Cesare Ponti is known for its good exchange rates, as well as the Banca Commericale Italiana, both of which also have 24 hour ATMs and currency exchange machines.

Tipping is not mandatory in Milan, although most people will feel inclined to leave a small amount if the service has been good, when an amount of around 10% may be added to the bill. Taxi drivers do not usually expect a tip, but it is usual to round up to the nearest euro.