Milan

Milan hardly seems to get a thought in the minds of those planning a trip to Italy. The country's second city and business centre, it frequently gets overlooked in a nation particularly rich in wonderful cities, whether the monumental Roma, the gritty Napoli or the magical Venice. Still, Milan is a lovely metropolis in its own right -- fashionable and fabulous, with a superb cathedral, pretty parks, and a great medieval centre. For those travelling to the unparalleled Aosta Valley, Milan is also a natural point of entry to the continent.

Many people will tell you there isn't much to see in Milan and you won't need more than a couple of days. But I think it's one of those cities you have to be open to; and when you take the time to explore, you'll find you like it. Don't judge it as industrial - 60% of city was destroyed during WWII. On the exterior, it's a newer city, perhaps with seemingly less character than another Italian metropolis; but Milan's beauties are inside. It's a city of hidden gems - take the Scala, the pinacotecas, the Galleria, the churches, the libraries, the countless museums. Give it a chance. It may surprise you.

Milan is my hometown, the place where I grow up. Its tourists are mainly business people or someone in transit. But while it does not offer the history and art of Florence or Rome, it has so much excellence to offert that would be a pity to ignore it.

Milan is a strange city, a little different from other italian coties. There are few monuments and historical sites. For sure I wouldn't visit it for a cultural trip. However it is very alive, full of great restaurants and clubs, smart people, fantastic shops. During the fashion week and the ' salone del mobile ' it turns in a fantastic place, overcrowded with people, parties. I suggest to visit it during autumn or spring. During summer it is too hot and the city is almost empty. During the weekends people from Milan love going out of the city, so it turns empty. One of the great habits of Milan is aperitivo. So instead of dinner you could choose a club serving apertivo, almost any, and you could have fingerfood with the beverage....instead of dinner. Great and funny. The Gothic cathedral in the very centre, Sant'Ambrogio is fantastic but, apart from it and Scala Theatre, there is not so much to see. Anyway you will enjoy deeply all the rest, including theatres. The area I love, and it is really very nice, is Brera. Gae Aulenti area is also fantastic.

A great city for moda and design, but also history and renaissance discovery, many many hiden sites all around the city that will blow your mind !! The contrast between new skyscraper and historical architecture is bluffing !

Oh Milan. You'll work up an appetite whether you're shopping for incredible vintage pieces at Vintage Delirium or staring at The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie. It may not be a site that you've heard of, but Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is simply stunning and was one of my favorite stops in Milan. Don't worry, you'll be able to fuel up on delicious truffles at Tartufotto Milano and sipping delicious cappuccinos at G. Cova & Co. If you're looking for a fun lunch, why not swing by SlowSud Cucine di strada where they have a table in the front room made out of swings? Tiger Via Meravigli is a great spot to hit up if you're looking for quirky gifts for folks back home. Milan is also a great jumping off point for adventures in Alba or Venice. I'll definitely be back. There's a lot to love in Milan!

An often overlooked city of Italy, but filled with wonderful culture, design, food and fun. Very crowded and chaotic at first encounter.

Happening right now till the end of October , 2015, the World Expo has food and sustainability as its theme .
The photo shows the Italian
Pavilion at the World Expo.

If you have time, visit the San Siro Stadium. The tour is really interesting.

Since Milan is a center of fashion the govt paid tribute to this fact and erected a monument of needlepoint as a symbol of the fashion industry.