Established as a Gallic settlement in the early 4th Century BC, Milan also boasts an Etruscan heritage, which was sadly extinguished by the expanding Roman Empire. Christianity came to Milan around 3rd Century BC after an edict by Emperor Constantine, and by the 11th Century, Christian Milan had already evolved into the most powerful territory in Northern Italy. Its Medieval splendour is largely associated with the work of the Visconti family, who built its famous Duomo, as well as the Sforza family, under whom Milan was flourishing as a hub for science, literature and the arts. The 17th-Century presence of the Austrians was marked by the construction of the Teatro alla Scala, the opera house where composer Giuseppe Verdi debuted, and the Neo-Classical building of Arco della Pace. However, it was not until the late 19th Century that the city established its present-day reputation as Italy’s economic and cultural capital.

Even a short stroll in Milan reveals a variety of breathtaking landmarks. The emblematic Piazza Duomo, dominated by its towering cathedral, and the adjoining Galleria are enough to occupy one’s time for the duration of their stay. South of the Duomo, among the city’s most glorious bars, restaurants, and Milanese clubbing scene, one can discover another piece of history: the Navigli district with its well-known canals and abandoned warehouses. Magenta, an old residential district, is bathed in history and an olden-days atmosphere, and it is here that one can trace the city’s Christian heritage back to its roots. Milanese culture is also mirrored in the city’s Golden Quadrilateral, the site where the most glamorous European fashion events occur. One can experience cutting-edge Milan at the Via Monte Napoleone, an excellent spot for shopping, filled with trendy cafés and bars. The area around the inspiring Pinacoteca di Brera is equally impressive, although somewhat too crowded with bars and eateries.