Milan

Fashionable Milan might have shortcomings—but it’s worth the trip

True, Italy's financial center, business hub, fashion capital, and one of the world's most industrialized major cities is crowded, noisy, hot in the summer and damp and foggy in the winter, less easygoing and more expensive than other Italian places—in short, not as immediately appealing a stopover to travel to as are Venice, Florence, or Rome.

Milan, though, reveals its long and event-filled history in a pride of monuments, museums, and churches. It sets one of the finest tables in Italy, features art by such towering geniuses as Michelangelo (his final sculpture) and Leonardo da Vinci (The Last Supper), and supports a cultural scene that embraces La Scala, fashion shows, and nightlife. With its dazzling shop windows and sophisticated ways, Milan is a pleasure to get to know—and despite the city's exorbitant prices, you needn't empty the bank account to do so.

© 2009, Wiley Publishing, Inc.