Milan

This compact Berlitz travel guide to Milan pairs practical, easy-to-use advice with bright photography. Italy's fashion capital has long been a centre of design and also drives the national economy, but the city now offers far more. Visitors looking for style and a lively contemporary atmosphere will find few rivals, and the guide points to the most rewarding sights and activities.

The book opens with a list of the city's ten top attractions, including the richly decorated Gothic cathedral and the ornate cake-like architecture of the main square. It then sets out a plan for a perfect day. Further chapters cover the canal district, which has been revived with trendy bars and cafés, along with boutiques, nightlife, and the best coffee. Green projects have improved the parks, and on experimental days without traffic the centre fills with cyclists and birdsong drifts from hidden palace gardens.

The guide also explains the city's history and gives practical tips for booking opera tickets and seeing Leonardo's Last Supper. Carefully selected lists of hotels and restaurants are followed by an A to Z of essential travel information.