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Milan goes hand in hand with fashion, and as a result oozes style & elegance; the world’s most famous fashion labels began life in Milan and still call this city their home. Twice a year the city becomes the only place to be seen for the fashionistas of the world as Milan’s famous fashion weeks cause a paparazzi frenzy, and the area thrives on the attention. These events perfectly define the locals’ attitude, and display the Milan ethos of embracing the finer things in life.

Even though Milan is seen as “new” Italy, there are still plenty of sights to explore, and architecture that rivals that of “older” Italy. It is part of the fun of visiting Milan to head out in search of these sights as they are not always so obviously apparent, wandering around the less known areas you are certain to unveil some hidden gems. And the best base for unraveling Milan in my opinion is by taking advantage of a Holiday Apartment within the city, competitive prices mean you can get the best location without being stung by city centre hotels, which are often overpriced.

Milan is a bustling city, but as a tourist it is easy to escape the rush, once you have finished indulging (or window shopping) in the Armani, Gucci, Versace and numerous other superstores, a view of the Duomo di Milano is certain to bring you to standstill. This Gothic cathedral is adorned by 3,500 statues and its façade reflects the periods which it has lived through, with various architects, sculptors and artists adding they’re touch. Stunning views of the city and, on a clear day, the Alps can be taken in from the roof, as well as a closer view of the statues and spires.

The pace also calms slightly as the evening draws in, when Milan again shows itself in the same light as other popular Italian cities, beautiful food readily available, relaxing drinks in cafes and bars, then the modern club scene available for those looking to continue the night into the small hours. My personal recommendations would have to be Navigli’s canal-side cafes as the perfect spot to relax and mingle with the locals and Corso Como as the place to be for classy bars and a taste of Milan fashion by night.

Milan is a beautiful city filled with beautiful people and there is so much to keep us tourists entertained.

Italy is often a country highlighted as a particular favorite for autumnal breaks, and there are a range of city breaks that will offer both relaxation and interesting culture. Rome is a number one spot for culture lovers, and as the city dates back to 753BC it offers an enormous amount of history to explore. Ancient Rome is brought to life with the Roman Forum, whilst taking pictures in St. Peter’s Square is a must. Meanwhile, both Verona and Assisi make ideal Italian alternatives. Verona, ever caught in literature by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, has an arena dating to 30AD. With the stunning Lake Garda only an hour’s drive away, it offers a great city break. Assisi, though not a city, is also fantastic for an urban break and offers the charm of cobbled streets, bell towers and Gothic churches.

If you want to indulge in the fall season then there is no better place to go than Munich, where the annual Oktoberfest takes hold of the entire city from the 18^th September to the 4^th October. The world’s largest party, this famous celebration involves beer, music, merriment and fun, and with more than six million visitors over the 17 days, you can indulge in Bavarian culture at Munich’s Theresienwiese like never before. New York City is also another great place to visit in the fall, with the thousands of trees in Central Park offering iconic colors to enjoy. Meanwhile, with Thanksgiving held on the last Thursday in November, you can enjoy pumpkin pie, the iconic Macy’s parade and popup festive markets throughout Manhattan.

If the cold is not what you’re looking for, and you instead want to chase the waning fall sun, then heading to the Mediterranean is a great idea. Spain’s Granada is situated at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and with its name translating to ‘pomegranate’, is quite alluring. Alhambra Palace should not be missed and, with it being one of Europe’s greatest Islamic artworks, should be enjoyed for its beautiful decorated ceilings and walls. Portugal’s Lisbon meanwhile is another great city to visit during the autumn months. With yellow trams traversing the city, medieval lanes in Alfama drawing you in, and the Baixa quarter offering live music and drinks, you’ll forget that autumn has even arrived.

Taking a city break in the autumn can be a great way to relax before the often hectic and stressful winter season. With so many ideal locations, you may find it hard to decide just where to go.

Exploring Milan

For many visitors to Italy, car hire seems the natural choice of transport option, however Milan is one city that offers some great alternative options meaning that an individual vehicle is not always a necessity. Ways of getting about in Milan include:

• Bus and Tram: Milan offers a great network of bus and tram travel that is easily accessible to all and covers a great deal of the city centre for easy hop on, hop off access to many of the areas entertainments and attractions. Tickets for the bus and tram system must be bought in advance from a metro station, kiosk or tobacconist as they are not available on board the vehicles themselves. For those who prefer a door to door service, Milan also offers the Radio Bus, which can be booked for specific journeys between 8pm and 2am by calling ATM on 800-80.81.81
• Metro: The metro underground railway system in Milan is relatively simple operating on just three lines – the red, yellow and green. Reasonably priced metro tickets can be purchased at the station stops, from news kiosks and tobacconist stores.
• Train: If you plan to venture out of the city centre, the railway network offers fast access to the surrounding area, from a selection of stations across the urban area.
• Taxi: the door-to-door convenience of a taxi service does not come cheap in Milan and taxis must be booked by telephone making them less of a convenience than in other cities. Those booking a taxi should be aware that drivers switch on the meter on receipt of a call – so you will likely have to pay the fare from wherever they were when you requested a life and not only between the start and finish points of your own journey.

What to See in Milan

Once you have figured out how you are going to get about, the city of Milan has much to offer. Milan must-sees include:

• The Duomo: The city’s cathedral is a breathtaking example of Gothic architecture, the building of which spanned six centuries. The building is the fourth largest of its kind in the world and is well worth a visit – though tourists are reminded that respectful modest dress (with arm and legs covered) is expected of those wishing to explore the interior.
• Da Vinci’s Last Supper – this stunning renaissance mural has grown in popularity since its inclusion in the Dan Brown blockbuster book and film starring Tom Hanks – so those hoping to see it up close and personal will need to book well in advance. The painting is located within the Santa Maria Della Grazie which is a World Heritage Site and well worth a visit.
• Shopping Streets: Milan is a city such design icons as Prada, Dolce and Gabbana and Versace have called home and is world renowned for its superb elite shopping opportunities. Head for Montenapoleone for the best designer shopping opportunities.

Flying to Milan is the easiest way to access the city, and once you’re there you can start to explore. If you want to discover religious buildings and monuments then Milan has several beautiful pieces to see including Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’. Located in the church of Santa Maria della Grazie, the painting is hailed to be the best Renaissance painting of all time, and is famed throughout the world. Meanwhile, any trip to Milan wouldn’t be complete without a trip to The Duomo, the Christian world’s third largest church. With 135 spires and 3,500 statues on the marble neo-Gothic and Baroque façade it is truly a spectacle to behold. Taking a lift to the roof will allow stunning views across the city, with glimpses of the Alps on clear days. And after The Duomo, taking to Castello Sforzesco with its 12 mini museums is a fantastic way to discover the history of Milan, with installations taking you from the Palaeolithic era right through to furniture of the 1950’s.

For Milan’s modern day buzz, a spot of shopping and tasting some local cuisines is a must. If you want to visit the high end shops, even if it’s just to window shop, the Quadrilatero d’Oro (Rectangle of Gold) is the place to visit and you’ll find all of Milan’s top shops nestled neatly into this one plaza. If you can’t afford high end prices, then head to the corso Vittorio Emanuele II where you’ll discover lots of cut price catwalk fashion outlets, allowing you to get a few goods at a reduced price. Meanwhile, shopping at the Fiera di Senigallia is a great place to get bargains, and this flea market is one of the cities best and favourites amongst tourists and locals alike.

Milan also has some fantastic cuisine to explore, and if you’re a foodie you cannot go away from your holiday without trying some traditional flavours. The city offers a huge variety of Italian cuisine, and you’ll find a range of international foods including curry and maki alongside creamy pasta, meat and dairy dishes. The Antica Trattoria della Pesa is a great venue for Milanese food, and if you want generous portions and the best funghi porcini in Milan, then this restaurant offers it. Meanwhile, the city is also renowned for its espresso bars where people can meet, relax and work. Elegant cafes are a great place to spend a few quiet minutes people watching, and you shouldn’t leave the city without enjoying a traditional coffee.

Milan is a fantastic city to explore, and has a huge variety in attractions. And by enjoying both the city’s past and present, you’ll discover a whole new side to this thriving Italian metropolis.

If you’re planning a holiday to Milan this year, there’s a good chance you’ll want to make the most of the fabulous shopping facilities in the city. Choose from the charming boutiques, luxurious designer stores or Italy’s finest high-street stores. To find the best shopping streets, use this guide to the best shopping spots in Milan:

Designer Stores in ‘Quadrilatero d’Oro’

Otherwise known as the ‘Rectangle of Gold’, Quadrilatero d’Oro is the square to head to if you’re looking for the luxury designs of: Dolce & Gabanna, Prada, Armani, Cavalli, Paul Smith, Missoni and Moschino (the list goes on). The Quadrilatero d’Oro streets to highlight on your map include: Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni, Via Sant’Andrea and Via Montenapoleone. The beautiful Gallerie Vittorio Emanuele II is another must see shopping destination; one of the world’s oldest shopping malls it is located near the Duomo.High Streets Stores in Corso Buenes Aires, Via Torino or Corso Vittorio Emanuele

Quadrilatero d’Oro

If the designer stores (or their price tags) don’t appeal, the city offers several streets lined with the more affordable fashion buys. Whilst you browse the more affordable fashion ranges of Milan, don’t be intimidated by the locals who wander the streets dressed head-to-toe in designer togs… they may be regulars at the designer outlets (our next shopping hot spot).

Designer Outlets: Il Salvagente, Dmagazine Outlet and Basement

Local Milan shoppers know where to find a bargain; these are just a few of the best outlets in which to find cut-price top brand labels in the city. If you’re holiday in Milan and want to make the most of discount purchases, get yourself a copy of Scoprioccasioni a shopaholics bible listing over 1,000 bargain-basement style establishments.

Alternative Fashion in Brera and Corso di Porta Ticinese

Looking for something alternative? Forget the high street and designer stores and browse the boutiques and shops of Brera, Corso di Porta Ticinese, Corso Vercelli and the Isola area.

Street Markets: dotted across the city

The vibrant street and flea markets of Milan are another exciting shopping opportunity for locals and tourists alike. On your City break to Milan you’ll be able to find everything you need, from fresh vegetable stalls, to wine vendors and meats as well as local made textiles, accessories and crafts. You can try to live on gorgeous designer clothes if you like, but you should try to sample some of the fresh local produce when you can!

Every day there are different markets to choose from, ask at your hotel to find out where the nearest market place is to you. The markets stay open from 9am to 10pm every day bar Saturday, where things close up earlier (around 5pm).  The most famous markets to discover are:  the antiques market of Mercatone del Naviglio Grande, the Saturday morning flea market Fiera di Sinigaglia and the diverse Viale Papiniano.

Milan has etched a place for itself in the hearts of fashion lovers across the world, the pinnacle of high living, the city with its fashion shows, parties and milieu of supermodels tends to defy its turbulent past where it was passed from the hands of one ruler to another. The history of Milan has left a distinct mark on every facet of life in the city. Today, an economic powerhouse of the country, Milan offers so much by way of entertainment that you will not feel the need to head out of the city for anything.

Shopping tours: You would be terribly remiss to skip the‘out of the world’ and unparalleled shopping experience that the city has to offer. A beacon for stylish shopping, Milan displays the works of every designer that you can think of; from Armani to Gucci and from Versace to Prada, you name it and you are bound to find it in Milan. Shoes, apparel, jewelry, accessories, cars and more, if you have the money, there is no other city in the world that helps you to splash it like Milan.

If you are a sports fanatic and dedicated in your devotion to your favorite football team AC Milan, you cannot miss their home at the San Siro Stadium in Italy. The arena hosts several thousand screaming fans, urging their team to play harder from time to time. A guided tour of the stadium is a must for sports lovers.

Finally, you simply cannot afford to forget that you are in the city that is home to the famous Lombardy wine house and the Italians are known for their exceptional wine making skills. So, whether you are a wine connoisseur or a novice, there simply isn’t a better way to get a wine tasting education than to have a professional sommelier hold your hand through your wine tasting tour.

Even a casual glance across the city will prove that Milan is a veritable paradise for architecture enthusiasts, an emblem of Italian grandiose as is rightly proved by the majestic structure of the Duomo Cathedral that peers down at you. The cathedral is second in size only to the St.Peter’s Basilica and is the second largest structure of its kind in Italy.

The gothic architecture is truly a sight to behold and even if you are an atheist, you simply cannot stop yourself from marveling at the creativity infused in every inch of the structure. If you thought the exteriors of the cathedral were breathtaking, wait till you walk inside to discover the largest collection of marble sculptures that will prove to be nothing short of a feast for the eyes.

Milan also boasts of several museums each more mesmerizing than the other. The structures and the exhibits all laid out to capture every nuance of beauty that the human mind can comprehend. From the Brera Palace which houses the Pinacoteca di Brera to the Balgetti Valsecchi Museum and of course the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie which houses one of the most famous art pieces in the world, the Last Supper by none other than Leonardo DaVinci.

Source: HotelChatter.com