Milan
Culturally, fashionably and socially Milan is undoubtedly one of Europe's most charming and one of Italy's most vibrant cities. The most famous designers on the globe have their headquarters here and the shopping streets of Milan attract the bold and the beautiful from every corner of the earth. But it's not all fashion and haute couture, Milan has all the style and cultural pedigree you'd expect of an Italian city, and its streets are lined with trees and art treasures. With the Duomo, Milan has the world's third largest Catholic church; a fantastically ornate Gothic conception that sits in the center of the city.

Meanwhile Milan's piazzas and art galleries boast sculptures and canvases from the most famous Italian artists of the Renaissance. The city is a lot less pedestrian than Rome and Venice, and its inhabitants are more energetic than those of other Italian cities. In the day the loafing around is left very much to the tourists and it's only in the evening that the Milanese themselves let their hair down or, more accurately, coiffure it up. When they do indulge in leisure the Milanese takes it seriously, which in Milan means looking good. There is nowhere better in the world for people watching and picking up fashion tips as the most elegant people in Italy stroll in the piazzas and the cafés fill up with the well-dressed denizens of the city.

Discover Milan
One of the world’s fashion capitals, Milan offers endless opportunities for chic shopping. Hit the artsy neighborhood of Brera for leather goods and Via Monte Napoleone for exclusive, expensive boutiques. The enchanting mosaics and glass vaults of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II make shoppers feel like they’re wandering inside a painting. Take break from your spree to gape at the iconic Duomo, then grab tickets to a performance at La Scala. Post-opera, the Navigli district pulses with late-night activity. 

Tourist Office Milan

MilanoCard
MilanoCard is the Milan City Pass, which offers free public transportation and free or discounted entry to over 500+ Milan tourist attractions, including more than 20 top Milan museums, shops and restaurants. MilanoCard is not transferable. Children under ten years old ride free! http://www.turismo.milano.it/wps/portal/tur/en

The essentials of Milan
1) Duomo di Milano
2) Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
3) Motta Caffe Bar Milano 1928
4) Piazza della Scala
5) Via della Spiga

1) Duomo di Milano
Milan's extravagant Gothic cathedral which was built over 600 years in pink Candoglia marble reflects the city's creativity and ambition. Its pearly white facade, adorned with 135 spires and 3400 statues rises like the filigree of a fairy-tale tiara, attract the crowds with its extravagant detail. The interior is no less impressive, punctuated by the largest stained-glass windows in Christendom, while in the crypt saintly Carlo Borromeo is interred in a rock-crystal casket. Begun by Giangaleazzo Visconti in 1386, the cathedral's design was originally considered unfeasible. Canals had to be dug to transport the vast quantities of marble to the center of the city and new technologies were invented to cater for the never-before-attempted scale. The most spectacular view is through the innumerable marble spires and pinnacles that adorn the rooftop. On a clear day you can see the Alps.

2) Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the world's oldest shopping malls. Housed within a four-story double arcade in central Milan, the Galleria is named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. It is truly a magnificent shopping arcade, covered with a glass and iron roof. The interior of the impressive five story structure is decorated with patriotic mosaics and statues.

3) Motta Caffe Bar Milano 1928
No visit to Milan without a Cappuccino from Motta. This traditional business has many coffee shops throughout Milan and also serves a good breakfast. There is one inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.  No need to get a table, if you don't want. Just order it at the bar and drink it there.

4) Piazza della Scala
Piazza della Scala is a pedestrian central square which is connected to the main square of Milan, Piazza del Duomo, by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II passage. It is named after the renowned Teatro alla Scala opera house, which occupies the north-western side of the square; the building actually includes both the opera house and the Museo Teatrale alla Scala (La Scala Museum), dedicated to the history of La Scala and opera in general. Most of the architecture of the square is due to architect Luca Beltrami, who designed the eponymous palace, the facade of Palazzo Marino, and the Banca Commerciale Italiana building. The centre of the square is marked by the monument of Leonardo da Vinci by sculptor Pietro Magni (1872).

5) Via della Spiga
Via della Spiga is one of the Italian city of Milan's top shopping streets, forming the north-east boundary of the luxurious Quadrilatero della Moda, along with Via Monte Napoleone, Via Manzoni, Via Sant'Andrea and Corso Venezia.

Excursions
Lake Como
Lake Como is just 32 miles away from Milano. The city of Como contains numerous works of art, churches, museums, parks and palaces. The town of Como has many silk factories so if you want to buy silk Como is a good place to go. Como also has a Silk Museum dating from 1900 where you can see the entire silk-making process.

Bergamo
Bergamo is an Italian city northeast of Milan, in the Lombardy region. Its older upper district, called Città Alta, is characterized by cobblestone streets, encircled by Venetian walls and accessible by funicular. It is home to the Duomo di Bergamo, the city cathedral. Also here are the Romanesque Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the grand Cappella Colleoni, a chapel with 18th-century frescoes by Tiepolo.

Lugano
A meandering Lake of Lugano and uncountable hills and mountains are surrounding Lugano and the area around it. Lugano is the third financial place in Switzerland after Zurich and Geneva and a holiday destination for many Swiss since the end of 1800's. Along the lake you see lots of Venetian-type villages, showing of the closeness of its neighbor Italy. Words and pictures cannot describe its beauty.