ESSENTIALS

Getting there & around

Direct connections from the UK include British Airways from Heathrow; Flybe from Manchester and Birmingham; Ryanair from Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands; and EASYJET from various UK airports. ba.com flybe.com ryanair.com easyjet.com

Average flight time: 2h15m.

Taxi/public transport is necessary for sights outside the centre. Uber is often pricier than regular taxis, but trams, some dating back to the 1920s, are a great option. Single journeys on the start at €1.50 (£1.30) for 90 minutes’ validity; €4.50 (£4) for 24h. atm.it

When to go

Summers are hot and humid, getting into the 30Cs. Spring and autumn sees temperature around the 20Cs, while winters can be chilly. Room rates peak in early April for Milan Design Week.

Places mentioned

Poldi Pezzoli museum. museopoldipezzoli.it

Gioielleria Merzaghi 1870. gioielleriamerzaghi.it

Osservatorio Fondazione Prada. fondazioneprada.org

The Duomo. duomomilano.it

Café Trussardi. trussardiallascala.com Art Mall Milano. artmallmilano.com Fratelli Bonvini Milano. bonvini1909.com

Where to stay:

Antica Locanda dei Mercanti hotel has doubles from £178, B&B. locanda.it

More info

turismo.milano.it

How to do it

ELESTA TRAVEL’s Milano Grand Tour, starts at £303 per person (up to eight people). elestatravel.com

CITALIA has three nights’ B&B at the Sina De La Ville, including flights from Gatwick from £579. citalia.com