Football fans, lovers of the opera and admirers of a varied city break – Milan has something to offer all these and more. Italy’s second-largest city (with 1.3 million inhabitants) is both the capital of the province of Milan and of the region of Lombardy.

Milan has a varied history which goes back a long way. The region around Milan was first populated around 400 B.C. Almost 200 years later, it was conquered by the Romans. The town was declared capital of the Western Roman Empire in 293 by Emperor Diocletian. Over the following centuries, Milan was repeatedly the scene of armed conflicts. At the beginning of the 19th century, Milan and its surrounding area was part of Austria for a while.

The city soon recovered from the destruction it suffered during the Second World War. Today, Milan is one of the major Italian centres of industry, fashion and media.

Travel information update: Due to the G8 summit to be held from 8-10 July in L'Aquila, the Schengen Agreement will be suspended in Italy from 28 June to 15 July. Please remember to take your passport if you are travelling to Italy during this period.

 

 

Concerts

12 April -Tokio Hotel

Tokio Hotel is Germany’s biggest export hit after Rammstein. With female fans from France, Italy, Spain, Russia and the USA at their feet, the boys from Magdeburg have just released their first English-language album.



Mediolanum Forum

Via G. di Vittorio, 6

20090 Milan

21 April -Mika

The British press were already naming Mika’s debut album Life in Cartoon Motion the best newcomer record of the year before it had even hit the shelves . Mika’s songs reflect a broad spectrum of musical influences ranging from Queen, the Bee Gees and Scritti Politti to The Darkness and the Scissor Sisters.



Mediolanum Forum

Via G. di Vittorio, 6

20090 Milan

30 April -One Republic

Alternative rockers One Republic first made a name for themselves on internet platform My Space. Now the band is touring with second album Waking Up.



Magazzini Generali

Via Pietrasanta 14

20124 Milano

 

Show

Until 14 March-Beauty and the Beast

A fairy tale love story of a beautiful Belle and a hexed prince. Only true love can break the beastly curse.



Teatro Nazionale di Milano

Via Napo Torriani 19

20124

16 27 March -Grease

The 1950s high school love story packed with big name hits such as Greased Lightning is on its way to Milan.



Allianz Teatro

Via G. di Vittorio, 6

20090 Assago

 

 

If you still have any energy left over in the evening, the numerous clubs and discos give you the perfect opportunity to use it up!

The “Roialto” cocktail bar (Via Piero della Francesca 55) is open til 2 a.m. from Tuesday to Saturday, and is very popular amongst both tourists and locals, who like to meet up here after work.

Dance addicts can give free rein to their need for movement in the “Hollywood” disco (Corso Como 15) every night except Mondays.

And finally: a tip, but not for early risers – the “Plastic” (Viale Umbria 120) has been THE trendsetting disco in Milan since the 1980’s. Doors don’t open til 11 p.m. – and that is only from Fridays to Sundays. From midnight, however, the “Plastic” is an absolute highlight for the in-crowd.

 

 

Milan is worth a visit any time, thanks not only to its reputation as a shopping paradise and its numerous historical buildings – its range of culinary delights is second to none too! Snacks such as sandwiches and cakes are available aplenty in the many cafés: the panzerotti are worth a special mention as a snack. The baked pockets of dough stuffed with various spicy ingredients are unique to Milan – from Luinis (Via S. Radegonda 16), in a side street of the cathedral, for example.

A further eatery not far from the cathedral is Dogana (Via Dogana 3, closed on Tuesdays). Although pretty crowded, the food is cheap and service is, on the whole, fast.

If you are intending on dining at Cracco-Peck (Via Victor Hugo 4), you need to make a reservation – and have the wherewithal. The gourmet restaurant (awarded one Michelin star) has its own deli. Menus of the day cost around € 90.

Dining at the Antico Ristorante Boeucc (Piazza Belgioioso 2) is a much better-value experience in a location a couple of centuries more traditional. The restaurant opened in 1696, and is considered the oldest restaurant in Milan. Classic Milanese cuisine is to be had here.

 

 

 

The names of Italian designers are well known throughout the world, and practically all of them are represented in Milan’s “triangolo d’oro” (golden triangle): closely packed displays of the fine creations by Armani, Prada, Gucci and co. line the streets of Via Montenapoleone, Via Andrea, Via Gesù, Via Borgospesso and Via della Spiga.

No less exclusive, yet healthier for your bank balance: shopping in the numerous markets and fashion outlets Milan has to offer. For example, you can buy ladies’ and gents’ shoes from renowned brands in all sizes at discounts of up to 75% between Tuesday and Saturday in Via Martinetti 6.

Clothing from the Cavalli, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent brands are to be had at reasonable prices from “Ciovassino Fashion Discount” in Via Ciovassino 3.

 

 

 

Milan is familiar to football fans thanks primarily to its two main clubs – FC Inter Milan and AC Milan. Check out www.sansirotour.com to find out who shouldn’t miss out on a visit to the San Siro or the Meazza stadium.