Milan Vacations

There are plenty of ways to keep fit in Milan. As befits a city obsessed with working hard, there are many gyms that provide short-term memberships so you can work out to your heart's content. Bicycling is a popular if risky pastime; Milanese tend to drive the same way they live, at full throttle.

Milan likes to celebrate the spiritual and material worlds with equal gusto. The Festa di Sant'Ambrogio, on 7 December, is Milan's biggest feast day, and is marked with religious celebrations and traditional fairs around the Fiera di Milano. La Scala marks the solemn occasion by opening its opera season on this day.

The first 10 days of June are devoted to the Festa del Naviglio, a smorgasbord of parades, music and other performances. The Milan Jazz Festival rocks through the city in November. Make the tourist office your first port of call for finding out more about these and other festivals and events.

If you feel the need for speed, Milan has the raceway for you: the Monza Autodrome, 31km (15mi) northeast of the city, hosts the Italian Grand Prix, where the top designers from Fiat, Jaguar and Ferrari show off their finest Formula One racers at an average speed of 250km/hr (150mi/hr).

Pre 20c
Milan is said to have been founded by Celtic tribes, who settled along the Po river in the 7th century BC. In 222 BC, Roman legions marched into the territory, defeated the locals and occupied the town, which they called Mediolanum (middle of the plain). The city's key position on the trade routes linking Rome with northwestern Europe ensured its continued prosperity, and it was here in 313 AD that Constantine I made his momentous edict granting Christians freedom of worship.

The city endured centuries of chaos caused by waves of barbarian invasions. It formed a commune (town council) in the 11th century, leading the city into a period of rapid growth. Perhaps because of this success, the city did not get along well with its neighbors.

The Holy Roman emperor, Frederick I (Barbarossa), decided to exploit the local conflicts, and attacked Milan in 1162. The surrounding towns, galvanised by a common and annoying enemy, banded together as the Lega Lombarda, kicking Frederick to the curb in 1176.

From the mid-13th century, the city was governed by a succession of important families: the Torrianis, the Viscontis and the Sforzas. Under the latter dynasties, Milan enjoyed considerable wealth and power. The city came under Spanish rule in 1535 and was given to Austria in 1713 as part of the Treaty of Utrecht. Austrian power-broker Maria Theresa left her mark on the city; the facades of La Scala and the Palazzo Real remain her favorite shade of yellow. Napoleon made Milan the capital of his Cisalpine Republic in 1797 and his Italian Republic five years later. It hosted his coronation as King of Italy in 1805.

Austria regained control of the city from 1814-1859. It wasn't long before troops under Victor Emmanuel II and Napoleon III wiped up the Austrian forces at the Battle of Magenta. Milan was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy in 1860.

Modern History
During WWII central Milan was heavily bombed, and the opera house in particular was blown to smithereens. Fittingly, Mussolini's career also ended in Milan - his corpse was hung upside down from the roof of a petrol station on Piazzale Loreto after he was shot trying to flee the country.

The post-war industrial boom - led by car manufacturing - and greater access to northern Europe via the new Alpine tunnels led to a spurt of growth accompanied by industrial unrest. The Red Brigades terrorised Milan and other centres of industry throughout the 1970s. In the 1990s, local political elites were torn apart by kickback scandals that went to the top of the region's political, administrative and commercial elites. Extremist parties such as the nationalist Lega Nord benefited from the resultant political vacuum.

Tintero
Via Q Sella 2 Call for info: 12:00-01:30  Powerful Paella- A bold interior paying homage to contemporary design contrasts starkly with the traditional exterior of this popular restaurant near Castello Sforzesco. Spanish flavours are the standard here, the rich paella a cornerstone of the seafood focussed menu. In summer sit on the flowery pavement terrace and take in the urban charm.

Armandola
Via della Spiga 50 Call for info: 02 760 21 657  Truffle Sniffing- Shoppers can indulge in a bowl of pasta standing up at this delicatessen shop. Pick the right day and white Alba truffles might just end up (at a price) on your plate. Balsamic vinegar is the other house speciality - invest 480.00 in a 100-year-old bottle (100ml) of the real McCoy from Modena.

Marchesi
Via Santa Maria alla Porta 11a Call for info: 02 87 67 30Tue-Sat 07:30-20:00, Sun 08:30-13:00  Chocolate Checkers- This legendary cafe has been in the cake and coffee business since 1824. Its heavily wood-panelled interior shelters luscious displays of all different kinds of chocloate; don't worry if you don't know what to choose, it's all good. Pick up chess or draughtboards made from chocolate and challenge a friend. Winner eats all.

Milan's luxury hotels are located in the heart of the city. Hotels come in beautiful 5 star and 4 star - boutique, art deco, and others beautiful styles. With many in proximity to many attractions and shopping, our selection of hotels offer a great location to begin and end your day.

Enjoy a Milan vacation package at the top luxury hotels in the area!
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