Milan - Milano

Milan - always in fashion but will you simply follow it or set a trend of your own?

La Scala will lead you a dance, the restaurants are fishy and you have to 'be seen' to be heard - yes, it's Milan or Milano as they say in Italy

Milan is packed full of tourist destinations and it truly is a city for everyone of all ages and tastes. Whether you are looking for excitement and thrills, exhibitions and history, or famed gardens and parks you will find it in Milan (Milano to Italians). Some of the highly recommended tourist attractions in Milan can be best viewed by taking one of the city's many bus tours. The buses make stops at specific locations and tourists are given time to explore, take photographs or just absorb the location. The bus tours take approximately three hours and start from Via Marconi. Popular tour 'must-see's' include Sforza Castle and the cathedral.

Another way of viewing Milan's tourist attractions is the walking tour. Walking tours are popular since the tourists are able to see the city's landmarks and interesting attractions at a more relaxed pace. These tours last about two hours and depart from Via Marconi. Teatro alla Scala is also recommended. It is a huge opera house built on a 1381 old church site. Giuseppe Piermarini originally built this opera house, which was bombed before being rebuilt several years later. One of the highlights is the theatre museum, founded in 1913 and home to painting, ceramic and sculpture collections.

La Scala's school of ballet is based at the opera house and this always has some interesting shows for visitors however it is even more popular for having produced some of the most famous ballet students. Milan has a gallery arcade known as Vittorio Emmanuele, which is elegant and large, lined with bookstores, shops, cafes and Savini the famous Milan restaurant. The gallery, which was opened by Vittorio Emmanuel the second, features a glass dome that is 47 metres high and its floor has been beautifully decorated with mosaic. When planning a tour of Milan, also consider visiting Artemide, Bisazza, Da Driade, and Flos museums which are all located in the city centre.

The city has plenty of cosy restaurants and charming cafes dotted all over and visitors are able to enjoy the unique style and atmosphere of Milan. Milan offers a variety of cuisine options, which typically range from Italian, seafood, Milanese, organic seafood, Sushi Italian and even Roman cuisines. Some of the best places for eating include Anadima, Artodoro, Be Bop, Caffe Cova, Cracco-peck and Da martino. Don Carlos, Ex Mauri, Fingers and II Coriandolo.

Obviously your food preferences and available budget will largely determine your choice of hotel or restaurant. Accommodation is readily available all over Milan city and include Alle Meraviglie, Amadeus Hotel, Bulgari, Carlyle Brera, Enterprise Hotel, Gray, Hotel Ariston and Hotel Aspromonte.

Milan is a place full of worldly pleasures. Shopping is almost done religiously, while the cinemas and theatres flourish. The city is well known for its catwalks, fashion industry and general lifestyle which draws people from all corners of the world. Just walking a typical Milanese street will make you think every other person must be a model.

Port Genova is an area that hosts numerous independent stores.

Most shoppers who want to buy unique items or keep up with the latest fashion trends will certainly have in mind a visit to Milan.