Milan city breaks

It wouldn’t be Italy without a strong focus on food and drink. As you might expect Milan has a sturdy culinary tradition, although it is different from other Italian regions. The best known dish is Risotto alla Milanese, which needs to be experienced in an authentic Milanese restaurant. Visitors will soon become aware, if they were not already, that some of the finest Pannetone cakes are made in Milan. The Peck delicatessen is worthy of a visit, serving a huge variety of food and wine since 1883. Wine tasting sessions in the city also attract great interest and offer interesting facts about the Lombardy wine region.

The centre of the city is dominated by the Duomo, which is an imposing Gothic cathedral. Overlooking the cathedral is the Museo del Novacento, which is where Mussolini used to address vast crowds. Close by is the Piazza dello Scala, home of the world famous opera. Hidden among stylish neighbourhoods is Quadrilatero d’Oro, where visitors will find many expensive designer boutiques.

Milan is a symbol of the industrial north of Italy, having boomed in the 1950’s and 1960’s the economy being based mainly on banking, fashion and design. Like many cities in northern Italy it mixes the old with the new, with medieval town squares and quaint courtyards hidden behind nineteenth century grandeur, which in turn hides behind gleaming modern office buildings. One of the most famous sights to see before leaving Milan is the UNESCO world heritage site of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Here visitors can gaze upon Di Vinci’s masterpiece The Last Supper. This is an extremely busy place so it is advisable to book in advance.