Milan

Right next to the Duomo di Milano (the Milan Cathedral), you will find Italy's oldest active shopping gallery. Named after the first king of the Kingdom of Italy, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an upscale shopping arcade housing luxury brands such as Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton as well as restaurants, bars, cafes and even a hotel. The Galleria's central glass dome has a stunning mosaic representing the continents of Africa, America, Asia, and Europe, while its floor is decorated with mosaics portraying the coat of arms of Rome, Florence, Milan, and Turin. Representing Turin is a bull, and according to the legend, if you spin around three times with your heel on the bull's genitals, it will bring you good fortune.

Cenacolo Vinciano is the home of one of the world’s most legendary and beloved works of art, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. It’s rarely possible to simply walk in and take a look though, so definitely book your visit in advance.

Milan doesn’t have as many artistic treasures as Venice and Florence, but it does not fall too far behind. The city’s foremost art museum, the Pinacoteca di Brera, showcases works by Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Bramante, and Caravaggio, among others.

Teatro alla Scala, opened in 1778, is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. A visit to the museum grants you a sneak peek inside the theatre itself and the glamour that goes along with it. You’ll be able to visit one of its spectacular theatre boxes overlooking the stage.

Enjoy some time out in one of the city's greenest and lushest parks. You can find something for everyone in Parco Sempione: play areas and train rides for the children, football fields and a roller skating rink, and green lawns with free Wi-Fi to relax after a busy day. Escape from the heat in the Civic Aquarium, whose building was constructed for the International Exposition back in 1906. Get a bird's eye view of Milan by taking a lift up Torre Branca. At 108.6 meters high, it is one of the tallest structure in the city. Have a romantic moment on the Ponte delle Sirenette — a little bridge dedicated to all lovers.

The Brera area is a must if you visit Milan. Young professionals and students tend to gather in this bohemian quarter, which boasts countless small boutiques and restaurants. It is a perfect place to eat a memorable lunch or to have an aperitivo towards the evening.

Milan's architecture is not only neoclassical promenades, Gothic cathedrals and posh villas — Porta Nuova district is the new and modern revitalization project that has drastically changed the city. Take a walk around the Diamond Tower, the Unicredit Tower and many other glass and steel construction. The stars of the show here are the two skyscrapers known as Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest). Featured in all major architecture outlets, these residential towers have actual live trees growing on its facade. They look marvellously lush in the spring and summer and totally enchanting covered in snow and frost.

When you want to escape from the busy city streets and enjoy some natural beauty of Lombardy, consider hopping on the scenic Bernina Express train. Stroll along Lake Como, make a stop in the historic lakeshore village of Varenna and ascend the Alps on the UNESCO-listed train — it'll make a stop on top so you can take short walk enjoying summit views. The train journey itself takes about 4 hours start to finish and runs through 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and viaducts.

The city’s two top Series A football teams, Inter and Milan, draw dedicated crowds to their shared home ground. San Siro also hosts fan events and is home to Italy’s only football museum, so make sure to visit it even if football isn't really your thing, just to make your Milan experience more complete.

Fondazione Sozzani not only showcases contemporary art, but also shares the space with a spectacular clothing shop, a cosy restaurant, a cool book shop, the trendy hotel 3Rooms and a designer outlet store at Corso Como 10. The Corso Como 10 store is legendary in its own right — definitely worth a visit.

After a lot of walking and sightseeing, the Thermal baths of QC Termemilano is the place to recover and recharge. At this relaxing spa you will find various pools, saunas, showers, relaxing areas and bookable treatments. Complimentary snacks and drinks are provided throughout your visit.