Milan

Milan is Italy's most modern city in both attitude and activity. It is Italy's center for banking, fashion, industry, and commerce. This hive of action provides some of Italy's best shopping, nightlife, and dining options, but also robs the city of the old world charm many visitors seek in Italy. But Milan does have some top historical and cultural sights which shouldn't be missed: The massive gothic Duomo cathedral (be sure to visit the roof), the Castello Sforzesco fortress with Michelangelo's Pieta, and outside of town, Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper fresco. The Pinacotecas Brera and Amrosiana are two of Milan's world class art ...

Milan is Italy's most modern city in both attitude and activity. It is Italy's center for banking, fashion, industry, and commerce. This hive of action provides some of Italy's best shopping, nightlife, and dining options, but also robs the city of the old world charm many visitors seek in Italy. But Milan does have some top historical and cultural sights which shouldn't be missed: The massive gothic Duomo cathedral (be sure to visit the roof), the Castello Sforzesco fortress with Michelangelo's Pieta, and outside of town, Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper fresco. The Pinacotecas Brera and Amrosiana are two of Milan's world class art museums. And take advantage of Milan's many contemporary activities: visit the famed Teatro alla Scala opera house for a show, shop at Prada or Armani in the "Golden Quadrilateral, party all night in the Brera district, check out a soccer game of perennial champion Inter Milan, or sign up for one of the many language, cooking, and cultural classes offered in town.

About the Expert

Bill Fink is coauthor of Pauline Frommer's Italy, contributing the introduction, sections on Tuscany and Umbria, and chapters on Italian food, arts, and history.