Pinacoteca di Brera (Brera Picture Gallery), Milan

Advantages: Clean, safe, elegant, friendly
Disadvantages: None I can think of - perhaps lack of taxis

...'ll be interesting to see how the city changes between January and May in more ways than the weather. I expect things will be busier, but I wonder if it'll be so hassle-free in peak tourist season!? Few more snippets for the road before I go: -The Brera district is worth a look - even just to see the cacophony of tarot/crystal ball readers who adorn the twisty narrow streets. Great bars there too. -La Scala is closed til around Autumn, so don't book to see a ballet or an opera if the main reason you are going is to see the amazing La Scala interior - otherwise you'll get fobbed off on a second-rate theatre somewhere on the outskirts of town. -Milan people will do their very best to communicate with you even if they don't speak a word of English. Through hand gestures alone they manage to express that the tobacconists is second street... Read review

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Advantages: Shopping!
Disadvantages: Italian men on a major "charm" offensive & you will come back broke

...around the Cathedral Duomo provides a more expensive shopping experience. Both the garment and shoe shops are stunning here – I have a picture of myself outside one such store practically salivating over the gorgeous shoes! Still its not all window shopping because some familiar shops can also be found here like an enormous Zara and a HMV. Finally the neighbourhood of Brera is worth checking out for its more unique shops. Going Out The nightlife in Milan is excellent. As well as numerous bars there are several clubs to choose from. Hollywood and Casablanca are the most stylish and not cheap for this reason. They are located on via Como, which is also a good place to visit for bars. It is a good idea to check and see if you can book at taxi at your hotel before going out so you are not left stranded and always remember the drinks... Read review

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Advantages: Amazing cathedral (Duomo), Last Supper, great ice cream :-)
Disadvantages: Lots of stuff covered up due to maintenance, mosquitoes :-(

...in Italy. Well, only some of the canals are left and the guidebook warned about mosquitoes in the canal area. One morning when I got up I noticed that my back was itching. It turned out that I had gotten something like 6 bites on my back. We sat outside on the night we first sampled Risotto di frutti di mare. Well, after a short while we had to cancel that great idea because I had gotten 5 bites on my legs (through my socks!!) and a bite in the face just during dinner. It got a bit better when I finally got around to buying some mosquito spray :-) But be warned…the local wild life can suck you dry :-) Try to cross the street The DK guidebook mentions that it was not easy to walk around in Milan because cars are parked all over the place. And it is correct that cars are parked all over the place (I would have driven a Smart car if I had... Read review

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