Any city worth its' salt is sure to be world-renowned for at least one thing. Paris has wine and fine-dining, Las Vegas has gambling and Rome has ancient history. But there probably aren't many cities whose number-one claim to fame is fashion and design.

Situated in Northern Italy on the plains of Lombardy, Milan positively thrives on the glamour industry, and is home to many educational institutions that specialize in fashion and design, including Domas Academy (Postgraduate School of Design) and Instituto Europeo di Design, attracting students from countless countries the world-over.

However, for those who are more into the idea of wearing quality clothing rather than designing their own, Milan has a multitude of fashion houses and shops specializing in the chic styles of many of the top fashion designers. Via Montenapoleone is perhaps one of the most significant streets in the Milan fashion district, and is famous for the abundance of fashion and jewellery stores lined along its elegant façade.

Then, there is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in the Piazza Duomo. As one of the oldest shopping malls in the world, it is an impressive piece of architecture. Two glass-vaulted arcades, joined together and intersecting in an octagon shape, are home to many luxury-item shops such as Gucci and Prada, and there is a wealth of restaurants, cafes and bars too.

But it would perhaps be a little unfair to limit any discussion on Milan to fashion, as perhaps one of the most famous paintings ever - Leonardo Da Vinci's ‘Last Supper' - takes pride of place in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The church itself is also a highlight of any visit to the Italian city, and has even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Then, there is Duomo di Milano, or ‘Milan Cathedral', which is the second largest gothic cathedral in the world. Work started on the cathedral in 1386 and was not officially completed until 1965; but as the saying goes, all good things come to those who wait and the cathedral is now a hugely impressive structure that shouldn't be missed.

As Italy's second biggest city, Milan has an impressive transport infrastructure consisting of subways, tramways, trolleybuses and buses, making travel between the various shopping areas, fashion districts, cathedrals and a myriad of other attractions, a breeze. Furthermore, flights to Milan arrive from many locations around the world, to the city's two airports which are in close proximity to the city.

So, whilst Milan may arguably be the design and fashion capital of the world, there is plenty more on offer in what is one of Italy's largest cities. Milan is an accessible city of high-class and culture, making it a highlight of any trip to Italy.

Disclaimer:
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.