CITY INFO MILAN

Milan (Milano), situated on the flat plains of the Po Valley, is the capital of Lombardy and thoroughly enjoys its hard earned role as Italy’s richest and second largest city. Wealthy and cosmopolitan, Milan is one of the most important and stylish cities in Italy and is full of history. There are countless impressive buildings that have tremendous character, in many different styles ranging from old Neo-classical Milanese palaces (palazzos) to ultra-modern towers and office blocks.

Founded in the seventh century BC by the Celts, the city, then known as Mediolanum (‘midplain’), was first attacked by the Goths in the 600s (AD), then by Barbarossa in 1157 and finally by the Allies in World War II, when over a quarter of the city was destroyed. Milan successively reinvented herself under French, Spanish and then Austrian rulers from 1499 until the reunification of Italy in 1870. It is a miracle that so many historic treasures still exist.

You will not want to miss the Duomo which is the most impressive example of Italian gothic architecture, a visit to Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ or a stroll along the most famous Via Montenapoleone, Via Spiga and surroundings where all world renown Italian designer shops are located.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to visit the many museums that the city offers, among them the ‘Pinacoteca Brera’ that holds an incredible collection of over 600 masterpieces, among which, works of Raffaello, Piero della Francesca, Caravaggio, Bellini, Mantegna and Tintoretto – just to mention a few! In the city center you will also find the magnificent ‘Castello Sforzesco’ built along the medieval city walls between 1360-1370 and the world famous opera house ‘Teatro alla Scala’. Since the 1970s, Milan has remained the capital of Italy’s automobile industry and its financial markets, but the limelight is dominated by  the fashion houses. The city hosted the World Exposition in 1906 and will host the Universal Expo in 2015 (Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life!).

Outdoor excursion of one-day or half a day trips can be easily arranged to visit Pavia and its famous Carthusian Monastery (Certosa di Pavia), or Lake Como with its incredible villas and towns like Bellagio and Cernobbio.

Find out more about what Milan has to offer by visiting www.turismo.milano.it.

WEATHER CONDITIONS IN MILAN

The temperature in Milan in April usually ranges between 10 – 15º C by day, nights are cooler. For a detailed weather forecast, please visit www.weather.com and enter ‘Milan’.

TIME

The time is Central European Time (CET) = Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +2 in summer.

PASSPORT AND VISA

Please check passport and visa requirements in due time before your departure. Threemonth tourist visas are issued by Italian embassies or consulates. They can take a while to be processed, so leave enough time before departure to apply. Fees vary depending on your nationality. There are no entry requirements or restrictions on EU nationals visiting Italy.

Visa information can be obtained from Italty’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website:
www.esteri.it.

INSURANCE AND LIABILITY

The organisers cannot be held responsible for any personal injury, loss, damage or accident to private property, or for additional expenses incurred as a result of delays or changes in air, rail, road or other services, strikes, sickness, weather and other causes. All participants are encouraged to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.