No question about it, the center of Milan is the Duomo. The Gothic cathedral, begun in 1386, took more than four centuries to build, and saw its completion during Napoleon's command in 1809. The Duomo (meaning "Dome") is a good place to start any tour of the city as the rest of the city sites circle around the cathedral.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, built in the late 1800s, and just north of the Duomo, is a beautiful tourist magnet still retaining its original elegance. The stores and crowds are not terribly exciting, but one can survey the magnificent architecture while enjoying an overpriced cappuccino from one of the numerous cafes.

The world renowned opera house, La Scala, an 18th century Neoclassical building, is a five-minute walk north, followed by the Fashion District, still further north.

Fashionistas can find pieces more up-to-date than New York and Tokyo between Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Monte Napoleone off Piazza San Babila. This area, referred to as the 'golden triangle', is, in reality, a rectangular base to the glitziest shops including Versace, Prada and Armani. Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, running northeast from the Duomo is the place to find more youthful, trendier threads. Finally, if you can bear wearing last season's more affordable fashions, check out Corso Buenos Aires, a five-minute walk southeast of the central train station.

Parco Sempione, a 10-minute walk west from the Fashion District and a 15-minute walk northwest from the Duomo, is a nice place to have a picnic lunch before visiting the nearby Santa Maria delle Grazie. The home of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, the 15th century former convent, is a 10-minute walk southwest from the Parco.

Finally, happy hours all over this town are legendary for offering huge spreads of food to go with your Chianti. Lots of restaurants and cafes are located near the central train station, Stazione Centrale, northeast of the Fashion District.