Situated in the North of Italy, Milan is the largest city in the province of Lombardy and second largest city in Italy.
Milan is the business hub of Italy and a very busy city to visit at any time of year.
Home to the Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci, Milan has a rich history in art and has some of the most priceless works of art on display in its galleries. The art galleries of Milan also reflect the history of the city, but be advised, if you do plan to visit some of the galleries book in advance.
Milans main attraction, The Duomo is the third largest church in the world, and took nearly 450 years to build. The construction of the Duomo began in 1386 and was completed in 1805 by Napoleon. This fabulous Gothic style church is a must see for any tourist.
Built in 1386 the Castello Sforzesco is a massive fortress located in the centre of Milan. The Sforza has many great museums and hosts the work of many great artists including Michelangelo.
For the sporting fans a visit to the Meazza Stadium, better known as the San Siro should be rewarding. This is one of the best football stadiums in Italy. Daily visits to the San Siro are available with access to the stadium and changing rooms.
The winter months in Milan can be extremely cold, while the summers are very hot and humid.
A trip north to the Alps or to the lake region is very advisable, and should be most memorable. The Italian rail system is excellent, and daily trips to the lakes should not take too long. Hotel prices vary during the year - winter being an excellent time to visit.
Also known as one of the main fashion capitals of Italy, Milan hosts some of the best fashion designers in the world. Most of the main shopping outlets are located near the city centre. Expect very large crowds during the sales, which attract people from all over Europe.
Milan is well suited to cater for the needs of travellers. From the moment you arrive you will be met with an excellent transport system, both efficient and economical. Avoid travelling through the streets of Milan by car if possible - traffic can be chaotic.
Where possible its best to use the public transport system. If you must use a taxi be very careful , use official taxis, which are white or yellow in colour. These are a lot cheaper than the private cab who will charge you double the price.
Milan is a cosmopolitan city and offers a wide range of restaurants. Prices vary considerably from place to place. Restaurants are very crowded at weekends so book in advance where possible. Menus and prices are usually posted outside restaurants - its also standard to leave a small tip.
The main tourist season starts in Milan during the summer months, but this doesnt mean that cheap accommodation is available during the off-season. Milan is a very busy city all year round and hotel prices can be expensive.
By: TJ Tierney
TJ Tierney is an award winning Irish Landscape photographer. For more tips you can visit his photography site: http://www.goldprints.com To view his images visit his on-line gallery of pictures of Ireland http://www.goldenirishlight.com or see his travel site: http://www.trovoo.com
