Milan
Gay Milan
Forget about the tourist trifecta of Florence, Venice and Rome: Milan offers an experience to travelers unmatched in the rest of Italy. The second biggest city in Italy is also the preeminent fashion capitol, bringing top designs to high-end storefronts the world over. The city’s population is cosmo and cool, sexy and smart: You can almost taste the chic in the air!
Via Monte Napoleone will certainly be the first stop for fashionistas, a pilgrimage to the lane that precisely defines styles and launches international trends. There is also one of the world’s oldest shopping malls, the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in the Piazza Duomo, which lures international visitors with its only-in-Milan glamour. Wandering around the Royal Palace and the Duomo of Milan, it is readily apparent why New York Times listed Milan 5th in the 41 places to go in 2011!
The city has a rich cultural heritage, which can be enjoyed virtually year around in a variety of different atmospheres. Winter brings snowfall but little accumulation, and the summer brings balmy – and quite humid – temperatures that bring the Milanese out onto the sidewalk cafés.
Milan is a relatively crime-free city, and locals take advantage of the excellent public transportation system at all hours of the day. The streets often stay busy late into the night, but beware of the petty theft common in almost all cities these days!