A vibrant city pulsing with fashion, football and culture, Milan offers visitors inspiration through its streets of grandeur.
Milan is a vibrant, modern city, and a veritable mecca for fashionistas and shopaholics, a model of culture and sophistication, and an energetic, sports loving metropolis. While Milan has less antiquities than Rome (then again, few cities can compare to Rome in that regard), it more than makes up for it with an exciting aura, offering visitors constant stimulation.
For the football fanatics, Milan offers two of Italy’s top teams: AC Milan and FC Internazionale. These fierce rivals sometimes face each other, and when they do, it’s well worth the price of admission to San Siro stadium.
The fashion scene in Milan is legendary. Conveniently, Milan’s top outlets are located within what’s known as the Fashion Quadrangle (quadrilatero della moda), bordered by Piazza Duomo, Piazza Cavour and Piazza San Babila. Dedicated followers of fashion will feel like they’ve died and gone to sartorial heaven, with the world’s top brand names at every corner. For those with high-fashion dreams and low budget means, the city offers a number of discount outlets, shops selling samples and seconds, as well as the sales where some bargains are to be found.
While Milan may appear to be built on the superficial world of fashion, the city’s culture credentials are strong. It’s here that you’ll find the Duomo di Milano, a thoroughly impressive Gothic cathedral – the fifth largest in the world. Controversial for its mixed styles and aesthetic, the Duomo’s detractors all agree that its sheer scale is nonetheless impressive.
Leonardo da Vinci’s famous The Last Supper can be found in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria della Grazie. And the city’s well-known La Scala opera house features famous works and international premieres.
Milan’s culinary exports are world famous. Fly to Milan to appreciate this fashion conscious city and its cuisine which is decidedly not waistline friendly. Satisfying and delicious osso buco (slow-cooked veal shanks) and Risotto alla Milanese are just a few of Milan’s culinary offerings. For the truly Milanese experience, relax with an aperitivo of sparkling wine or a Campari mix before heading off to dinner.
