Although Milan claims "second" place to being the largest city in Italy, it's not second class. Milan has much to offer to the traveler who's visiting Italy, and is well worth a visit. Being the country's capital in business, fashion, music and design, Milan offers amazing attractions which combine both the past and present.
One and a half million people populate the Northern city. Located south of the Italian Alps, Milan is very close to several other cities and attractions such as Venice and Florence, great skiing and the seashore villages of Liguria and Cinque Terre. Each are just a few short hours (or less) away, which makes Milan a great place to live or tour. History of Milan.
Milan, the capital of Lombardy, is known as the Italian Capital of Fashion, Finance and Entertainment. While Rome is strong competition in the areas of fashion and entertainment, Milan is surely one of the most European of the Italian cities and the most sensitive to fashion and trends. Among the central streets of the city and its fashion and entertainment districts you can find echoes of London, but the quiet gardens, historical buildings, and art galleries are all there to remind you that you are still in Italy.
Milan is considered by many to be the fashion capital of Europe and thus the world. It is also the transport hub for Italy with Italy’s largest international airport. It is also Italy’s hub for business, finance, commerce and media. It can be likened as the New York City of Italy because it too is a city that never sleeps. Milan is also the home to two of Italy’s world premier soccer teams. Although Milan is so big for so many reasons it lacks in tourism.
Although almost all of Italy has breath-taking landscapes, Lombardy, (or Lombardia), is said to have one of Italy’s most varied landscapes. It’s diverse and incredible hill towns and lakeside resorts are interconnected through the powerful slopes, vineyards and crop fields. The number one element however that defines the identity of Lombardy is style. Lombardy is the country’s fashion and finance powerhouse. It only leads second in all of Italy to Rome. This is a must-see spectacular place for everyone. There are all forms of the well-known designs from furniture to jewelry that are housed in this great City.
It only took me a week to realize the trackies belonged back in the suitcase, and I shouldn't have even brought the sandals. The hoody could be kept at a pinch, but only for around home.
It's an unwritten dress code, but one that I felt obliged to adhere to if I had any hope of fitting in.
The first thing you'll notice about the trams in Milan is that they are orange, slow and extremely noisy. Daunting, to say the least, for a foreign tourist. Even the Milanese think of getting the tram as a mini -odyssey through a city they never really take the time to explore. Nineteen tram lines in all cross Milan, bringing you off the beaten track through streets and squares that even the most intrepid tourists never discover.
Dedicated to the women of the new millennium, free
from the constraints imposed by traditional jewelry, women who enjoy
themselves and express their femininity by wearing a "jewel" like an
accessory, changing it with the ease that one changes purse or shoes,
depending on the mood of the day. In a city like Milan that is always
ready to offer the most recent innovations: It is enough to pause and
explore the jewelry stores of Milan, where metal and precious stones
are united to form handmade, unique pieces of great personality that
are dedicated to today's sophisticated women.
The very elegant shop of L'Armadio di Laura is located in the "Solari" neighborhood of Milan, hidden away from the mainstream shopping areas. This is one of the more exclusive and one of better vintage clothing shops in Milan. If you want good quality then this is the place to go. Not a fancy street at all. This elegant shop is well hidden in a courtyard off of Via Voghera 25. It is best to drive there or walk.
Contemporary art junkies can get their fix at Milan's sleek new Bovisa Triennale center. Take a short ride on the metro from the center of Milan and you arrive in Bovisa, an up and coming industrial neighborhood for artists to work and play. This 2500 square meter mega center is devoted entirely to contemporary living. Browse through the compound of galleries featuring emerging artists' controversial paintings, designer furniture, and video installations for a mere 6 euro entrance fee.
It is best to drive there or walk.
