Milan Holidays

Catwalk veterans including Armani, Versace and Prada grace Milan’s top shopping streets, and while you may need to flash the plastic to afford a single shoe (let alone a pair), browsing the flagship stores is a must do. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is among Milan's most glamorous malls so take some time to wander through its ornate arches and past its colourful mosaics and you'll find your favourite designer stores. If you want to navigate away from big names, Corsa di Porta Ticinese and Corsa Vercelli are great shopping spots.

Located just over an hour away from Milan, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como are idyllic day trips. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore these enchanting waters surrounded by lavish gardens, landscaped terraces and stunning towns. Book an excursion and cruise across the lakes like Hollywood a-listers. Check out the 18th century villa that starred in James Bond's Casino Royale movie, spot the celebrity homes along the waterfront and then dock at another picturesque town for a long, lingering lunch on the water.

On permanent display at the Santa Maria della Grazie Church, Leonardo Da Vinci’s iconic masterpiece can be seen in all its glory. It’s arguably one of the most important paintings of the Renaissance era and attracts tourists by the coach-load, so make sure you reserve an allocated 15-minute time slot and see this famous piece for yourself.

Sitting pretty in the centre of Milan is one of the city's most stunning monuments, the cathedral of Duomo. This magnificent building showcases more statues and spires than any other in the world with over 3,150 in total, the most famous being the golden coated Madonnina (Little Madonna). The interior is just as beautiful as the exterior, however it's the views over the city that visitors want to see – climb the 150 steps (or take the lift) to the top of the building and admire the colourful landscape. On a clear day you can see as far as the snow-capped Alps.

Milan's original 1920's yellow and orange trams shuttle excited visitors through the centre of the city, and if you hop aboard the number 1 you'll see some of Milan's most symbolic monuments. Take to the tracks during the evening and enjoy a vintage tram ride on the ATmosfera, a tram which serves dinner and wine.

Whether you're a regular risotto eater, crave a crumbling cannoncino or want to try the traditional cotoletta, there are plenty of places to make the most of Milan's iconic dishes. If you're after Italian aperitivo, Ratana's feel-good restaurant is famous for it's tasty Milanese wine, parmesan cheese and Parma hams and serves up the best risotto in the city. Dry Milano is popular for its flavoured-dough pizzas and Prohibition-era cocktails, or LadyBu is luxury for cheese lovers. If a fancy dinner isn't your thing, dine with the locals at Luini's hole-in-the-wall takeaway, offering seriously tasty treats.

If you're a wine lover, no holiday to Italy is complete without a traditional wine tasting tour and there are plenty of opportunities to become a connoisseur in this city. Combine sipping with sightseeing on an evening tour of Navigli, the canal side district of Milan, where you can discover new wines and walks as you wander the moonlit streets. Visit the vineyards in the sparkling wine region of Franciacorta, just an hour's drive from the city, or settle in a classy bar and enjoy private wine tasting with an expert sommelier, accompanied by local cheese and cured meats.

your passions, it's well worth visiting the iconic San Siro stadium, home to the two legendary clubs: AC Milan and FC Internazionale. The lively and energetic games are a spectacle in themselves, so if you can get a ticket, it's worth ennjoying all the football fever on match day. Or take a guided tour around the 90-year old stadium grounds where you'll have access to areas reserved for players. Learn more about the world champion games it hosted, and secure a sneak peek into the changing rooms. The Museum San Siro showcases a smart collection of historical objects, including trophies, statues and jerseys, once you've seen enough, stop at one of the nearby restaurants such as Baretto 1957 for a bite to eat.