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Doing business
Milan is Italy’s economic heavyweight – and it knows it. The whole city is geared to business, and work is enthusiastically engaged in with an Italian twist. This means you can expect your hosts to dress to impress and consume conspicuously with great style. That said, an old-world emphasis on politeness, formality and calmness pervades.

Cool hotel
There’s plenty of budget-busting choice, but even if a room at Una Hotel Tocq (www.unahotels; doubles from £166) stretches your budget, hosting cocktails on the terrace of the bar is a superb way to show that you’ve got a sense of Milanese style.

Hip restaurant
The combination of opera buffs and businessfolk keeps prices on the high side, especially in the streets around the Duomo. For Milanese specialities and a unique setting though go for El Brellin at Alzaia Navilglio Grande 12. The canalside scenery never fails to impress, even if it is a cab ride from the centre.

Happening bar
Fashionable Corso Como and the surrounding streets is a great place to bar-hop and watch the fashionista crowd pursuing their evening’s entertainment. If you continue down Corso Garibaldi you’ll pass Radetzky at number 105, which is as friendly as it is trendy.

Getting there
Milan is well served by both mainstream and low-cost carrier flights from airports across the UK, including the likes of British Airways, Alitalia, flybe, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and bmibaby. Returns of under £100 are fairly easy to attain, especially if you avoid the busiest times of year. Milan is also an overnight train ride from Paris if you want to cut down your carbon footprint,
or just fancy a change. The city has three airports: Malpensa, Bergamo and Linate so make sure you know which you're flying to/from!

Getting downtown
From Linate, you’re looking at taking the Autostradale bus which costs four euros. The Malpensa Express (www.malpensaexpress.it) links Milan’s Stazione Nord with the airport every 30 minutes for 11 euros (single) and 15 euros (return). Taxis are pricey and will cost at least £50 – more during peak hours.

The detail
Milan is an hour ahead of the UK and firmly wedged in the Eurozone. Uniquely, when you call Italy from abroad you leave on the ‘0’ for the city code. Milan is close to the Italian Lakes and ski areas, so can be cool in winter and balmy in summer. Service charges are generally included so there’s no need to tip, but a few small coins are always appreciated.

Must-see sights
You can’t miss the Duomo (below), the focal point of the city and a riot of towers, spires and an ever-growing collection of statuary. The other is Da Vinci’s Last Supper in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church – it’s a lesson in how to protect and restore a work of art as much as an unforgettable meeting with a masterpiece.

Insider's Tip
“Just outside the city, leaving its frenetic way of life behind, visitors can admire abbeys and gracious villas or walk through the streets of villages that maintain their small town feel despite being so close to the great metropolis of Milan.”
Lombardy regional tourist board
www.turismo.regione.lombardia.it

Compiled by Tom Hall on behalf of Lonely Planet. www.lonelyplanet.com

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