Marco Polo's Spirit

Probably visiting Milan shouldn't be your top priority when coming to Italy on vacation. Don't stare at me as if I had sworn or talked indecently.  You might think I am outrageous, but as a matter of fact, there are grounds to my statement. Milan isn't ranking first amongst the Italian top city destinations, definitely lagging behind Venice, Florence, Rome and, of course, the Amalfi coast. Forget about lovely landscapes, breathtaking sceneries, cute corners and magnificent mother nature. Milan is best known for what I call the "something Week": Milan Fashion Week, Milan Design Week, Milan Book Week, etc. For most people it is a hit-and-run visit to the business-focussed capital of Italy. The truth is that most visitors squeeze a quick visit to Milan in between places: between a trip to the lakes in northern Italy and famous towns such as Verona or Venice, or even when visiting the Cinque Terre.  So the hovering q

Why going to Milan? When it comes to spending 24 hours in Milan, Italy's financial capital, you'd better get ready to chew up miles and miles. As a matter of fact, people associate Milan with money and high-market shopping, but actually very few think that they can swoon over a full city package, including top-class museums, art galleries, breathtaking church interiors, scenic hidden corners, and get lost in the web of bars, pastry shops and restaurants for all tastes and budgets.  Whatever you choose, there are endless pleasures in Milan! My sister Francesca and I spent a weekend long of fun with a good mix of culture, art, aperitiv and shopping. 24 hours is hardly enough to stop in Milan for a visit; however, as a friend of mine puts it, leaving something to see for next time gives you a good excuse to return time and time again. Our 24-hour itinerary SATURDAY MORNING Milan Central Station or Chicago Union Station's famous "Th