Fashion and Business
The most important city of northern Italy, capital of the province and of the Lombard region, Milan stands at the center of the Padana Plain between the pre-Alps and the Po, and between the Adda and the Ticino rivers. A financial and economic capital as well as major political and cultural center, it is the second most populous city in Italy, with 1,371,000 inhabitants.
Milan is a hub of European industry, with its concentration of major Italian companies. It holds the lead in volume of commercial activity. With its favorable geographic location, Milan is a communications center of great importance. Extending out from the city are train lines and national and international highways. It is a central point for the Italian superhighway system, leading to Venice, Bologna-Rome-Naples, Genoa and Turin.

The ancient Mediolanum, as it has been called by the Romans since the third century B.C. (a name of Celtic origin meaning "in the middle of the plains"), rose up around 400 B.C., the work of the Insubri Galles.
The Romans, led by Gneo Scipio, conquered it in 222 B.C. From the fourth to the fifth century it was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, and thanks especially to Saint Ambrose, it became one of the most active centers of the new Christian world.
Around the year 1000 it was already the most heavily populated city of Italy and became the most active center of the Padana Plain because of its manufacturing of wool, silk, metals and armaments.
The period between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries coincides with the consolidation of the free Commune, subsequently defeated by Frederick Barbarossa, who wanted to re-establish imperial dominion.
From the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries the city came under the Signoria of the Visconti and then of the Sforza, to finally become capital of the Dukedom of Milan. At the end of the fifteenth century Louis XII, king of France, took over the Dukedom. The French in 1535 gave way to the Spanish, who governed until the beginning of the eighteenth century. In 1707 Austrian control began. With the exception of the Napoleonic interlude, the Austrians ruled until the celebrated "Five Days of Milan" (1848), a revolutionary independence movement that chased them out permanently.
During the Second World War Milan was one of the cities most heavily hit by aerial bombardment. Damages to historical monuments were especially serious; some were partially destroyed forever, but most were later restored.
Since 1946 the recovery of industrial, economic and commercial activity has occurred rapidly, so that once more Milan has become the center of Italy's productive and economic life.

By Plane
Linate and Malpensa airports are the two that manage the intense international and domestic traffic converging on the Ambrosian city.

By Train
A hub for Europe's major railway lines, Milan offers train travelers direct connections with the rest of Italy and with Europe's most important cities: from the central station in Piazza Duca d'Aosta, Intercity and Eurostar trains leave daily.
Other smaller stations are: Porta Garibaldi, Milan North, Porta Genova and Porta Vittoria.

Public Transport
It is convenient and comfortable to use public transportation in Milan. Trams, buses, trolleys and three subway lines bring together even the remotest parts of the city. Prices for underground and aboveground transportation are the same. Tickets are sold at newstands, bars, tobacco shops and automatic vending stations. Tickets cannot be obtained on board.
The underground opens at 6.00/6.30 a.m and closes at 0.30 a.m; after there are some surface lines in place of the metro until 1.30 am; However other means of transport run till 2.00 pm. Tourist passes exist at a price of 3 Euro for 24 hours and 5,50 Euro for 48 hours.
These types of tickets are sold at the newstands inside the subway stations.

By Taxi
Milan's taxis are white. They park in special areas with telephones (the numbers are found in the phone book under the word "taxi"). When you get into the taxi, the fixed rate starts running; a supplement is due on public holidays, at night and for luggage.
Taxis can also be called by phoning the numbers of radiotaxi operators 02 4040, 02 6969, 02 8585.

Touristic information
APT, Azienda di Promozione Turistica del Milanese (Tourist office)
via Marconi 1, tel. 02 725241
I.A.T, Informazione e Accoglienza Turistica (Information point)
Via Marconi 1, tel. 02 72524300
Central Railway Station, platform floor tel. 02 72524360/370

Useful numbers
Police: tel. 113
Carabinieri: tel. 112
Fire Brigade: tel. 115
ACI Milan Breakdown service tel. 803116
Medical Emergency Service: tel. 118
Antivenins centre: tel. 02 66101029

Talking about this style of cooking, we expect the usual diatribe about the origin of saffron rice (risotto) or about who invented cutlets alla Milanese, but these are issues discussed a thousand times and already worn out. Of the cutlet, the most interesting thing to say is that it isn't breaded but rather fried with patience at its natural thickness; of risotto, that wine is not necessary because the acidity of the latter conflicts with the natural but delicate aroma of the saffron.
These days, Milan is flooded with fish. It has the largest fish market in Italy, but for all this fishy culture, not a trace is seen in Milanese cuisine. On the other hand, one finds excellent recipes for fresh-water fish, for example anchovy patè (although the people of Lodi claim it as their own) and pike braised in red wine.
Not so famous but also very good are some Milanese soups like minestrone, naturally. Even better are the soups made from rice and parsley with liver, from rice and leeks, or frogs.
The base for each of these is an excellent broth: try it with sbrofadei, a kind of Emiliana passatelli. Ordinary everyday broths, on the other hand, are made from capon, for the "non-Milanese" ravioli or tortellini. The busecca, now considered a second dish although originally it was a soup, is a symphony of three types of tripe (chiappa, foiolo and riccia or francese). One makes one's way through the meats, which are fundamentally veal (of which we have already spoken) and beef. Speaking of veal, we must not overlook oven-baked tongue and the sublime roast kidneys. Pastries are few but interesting, aside from the universal panettone (a kind of sweet brioche). Borrowings from Austria are interesting: for example, the creams, the cavollatt with its mysterious name, cream of mascarpone (a type of cream cheese), or certain puddings made from cedar, rice, or even aged panettone.
Milanese drinks are very original. The barbarjada (chocolate and coffee) in first place, the rossumada (egg shake, sugar and white or red wine), the sapajean (zabaione, the same but with red wine and lemon juice) or the various bavarois (to suit the female taste, made with tea and liquore).

As far as wines are concerned, at present the Milan region has only one zone DOC (name and origin controlled), San Colombano at Lambro, where with an early grape called verdea they make a pleasant white and with a grape similar to that of the Rossi Oltrepo', a red not profound but nevertheless agreeable.
The common wine in Milan now is naturally that of the Oltrepo', either Bonarda, Croatina or Barbera; among whites the Riesling and Pinot are excellent. But in Milan today, for wines as for fish, one finds all the best.

Opening Hours
Large stores and many downtown shops are open continuously. Others observe the following hours: 9:30 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 19:30. They are closed Monday mornings and Sundays. Sales take place twice a year: winters, from the 7th of January; summers, from the 10th of July.
Groceries shops are closed Monday afternoons and Sundays. Included among the addresses we would like to offer you as a help for your shopping are the open markets.

Markets
Included among the addresses we would like to offer you as a help for your shopping are the open markets.
Following are the largest and most interesting for each day of the week:
Mondays: via Zamagna, via Kramer, piazza Mirabello;
Tuesdays: viale Papiniano and via B.Marcello;
Wednesdays: via Aicardo, piazzale Martini and via Zuretti;
Thursdays: via Osoppo, via Ampère, piazza Mirabello, via P. Calvi;
Fridays: via Crema, via M. Aurelio, l.go V Alpini;
Saturdays: viale Papiniano, via B. Marcello, piazzale Lagosta, via Fauchè.
Among the smaller markets, the most famous of Milan is the Flea Market, called "Fair of Senigallia" in viale G. D'Annunzio. Open Saturdays from 8:30 to 17:00.

The following are the main clothing stores that sell famous name brands:
Armani, via Durini 24, via Sant' Andrea 9;
Basile, via Monteleone 27;
Chanel, via S. Andrea 10/A;
Dolce & Gabbana, via della Spiga 2;
Enrico Coveri, corso Matteotti 12;
Fendi, via Sant' Andrea 16;
Fiorucci Store, galleria Passerella 1;
Gianfranco Ferrè, via della Spiga 11;
Gucci, via Monleone 5;
Kenzo, via Sant' Andrea 11;
Krizia, via della Spiga 23;
Laura Ashley, via Brera 4;
Laura Biagiotti, via Borgospesso 19;
Les Copains, via Montenapoleone 2;
Max Mara, corso Emanuele;
Mila Schon, via Montenapoleone 2;
Missoni, via Sant' Andrea 9, piazza Duomo 21;
Moschino, via Sant' Andrea 12;
Pierre Cardin, via Verri 6;
Romeo Gigli, corso Venezia 11;
Ungaro, via Montenapoleone 27;
Valentino, via Santo Spirito 3;
Versace, via Montenapoleone 11;
Yves Saint Laurent, via Verri 8.

The best shoe stores of Milan are the following:
Bally, via Montenapoleone 8;
Diego Della Valle, via della Spiga 22;
Salvatore Ferragamo , v. Montenapoleone ang. v. Borgospesso;
Fratelli Rossetti, via Montenapoleone 1;
La Vetrina di Baryl, via Statuto 4;
Magli, corso V. Emanuele ang. v. S. Paolo;
Marilena, via Tornio 13; Pollini, corso V. Emanuele II 30;
Sergio Rossi, via della Spiga 15;
Teras, via Torino ang. v. Lupetta;
Timberland Store, corso Venezia 9;
Vergelio, corso Vittorio Emanuele 10;
Vierre, via Montenapoleone 27.

The most exclusive jewelry shops of the city are the following:
Agalma, via S. Tommaso 8;
Bernasconi, galleria V. Emanuele II, 33/35;
Buccellati, via Montenapoleone 4;
Bulgari, via della Spiga 6;
Cartier, via Montenapoleone 16;
Cusi, via Montenapoleone 21/A;
Faraone Tiffany, via Montenapoleone 7/A;
Pomellato, via San Pietro all' Orto;
Romani Adami, via Bagutta 3;
Scav, via della Spiga 9;
Schreiber, via Manzoni 40.

Milan at night offers a vast panorama of clubs for every budget, with all types of atmospheres. The most animated parts of town are the Navigli and Brera, where one can have a good time, meet people, enjoy a beer, and have a snack late into the night. Several theatrical programmes of interesting plays, opera and cabaret. Following we indicate the principal theatres and discotheques of Milan:

Discotheques
Beau Geste
Piazza Velasca 4, tel. 8057772
Modern decor, a dance floor and a billiard room.
Open from 23:00 to 3:00 from Thursday to Saturday.

Gimmi's Club
Via Cellini 2, tel. 55188069
American disco music style, live concerts.
Open Sunday 22:30 to 3:00. Closed Monday and Wednesday.

Hollywood
Corso Como 15, tel. 6598996.
Always crowded, hangout for people in fashion, sport, and
theatre.
Open from 22:30 to 4:00. Closed Monday.

Plastic
Viale Umbria 120, tel. 733996.
Place for avant guarde, rebellious.
Open from 23:00 to 4:00. Closed Monday.

Propaganda
Via Castelbarco 11, tel. 58310682.
One of the largest discotheques of the city. Live concerts.
Open from 22:00 to 4:00. Closed Wednesday and Tuesday.

Rainbow Club
Via Besenzanica 3, tel. 4048399.
Frequented by the young, theme evenings and concerts.
Open from Thursday to Saturday, from 22:00 to 3:00.

Shocking Club
Via Bastioni di Porta Nuova 12, tel. 6551240
Avant guarde locale, frequented by models and would-be models.
Open from 22:00 to 3:00. Closed Monday.

Theatres

Teatro La Scala
Piazza della Scala
Tel. 02/72003744

Teatro Carcano
Corso di Porta Romana, 63
Tel. 02/55181377

Teatro Ciak
Via Sangallo, 33
Tel. 02/76110093

Nuovo Piccolo Teatro/Teatro Strelher
Largo Greppi ang. Piazzale Marengo
Tel. 02/72333235

Teatro Smeraldo
Piazza XXV Aprile 10
Tel. 02/29006767

Zelig Cabaret
Viale Monza, 140
Tel. 02/2551774