if you're looking for a weekend city break Milan is a good choice. The food is very good and reasonably priced but the beer expensive. The Duomo, San Siro, San Lorenzo's columns and the Navigli area ae all worth a visit. As is the large shopping arcade off Duomo square (entrance pictured).

Bah... if you come in Italy to shopping, Milano is the right place. You have to endure a bad traffic and rabid people . Milano in ancient times was a beautiful city with a web of canals named Navigli. But the fascist regime buried the Navigli, a sad history of state vandalism. Near to Milano, in the country (bus line 77), you have to visit the ancient abbazia di Chiaravalle, founded by San Bernardo in 1135. The target of San Bernardo was to reform the ancient benedictine rule of hermitage. In the chiostro (destroyed by the french Napoleone, grrrr....then reconstructed) you see a very strange tower named Ciribiciaccola. Now, the milanese people use the term Ciribiciaccola to say "a sad, mad thing". It's better to book a guided visit (to book: 02-57403404).
If you need to shopping, there is a small shop with the products of the monks (spirits, sweets and herbal products). My favourite is the liqueur for a good digestion after the Milano's main course Milano: la casòla (good but very very heavy).
Bye folks, Fabio
(marsattack2002it@yahoo.it)

I've been to Milan three times now, and spent a week on two occasions. Attractions not to miss are: The DUOMO (make sure you climb to the roof and note the flying buttresses), CASTELLO SFORZESCO (free), CIMITERO MONUMENTALE, NEAR GARIBALDI, CHURCH OF SANT'AMBROGIO. The shopping is great, particularly at sale time. Buy all you perfumes here as they will be cheaper than Australian Duty Free, and if you are lucky, they may also be on special. The shopping is wonderful, but if you're a shopaholic, buy the Where To Where Guide before you go. The people are nice, but make an effort to learn 1/2 dozen words or phrases.