Depending on who you ask Milan is either Italy's second or first city. Although Rome is the capital city Milan is the economic and finacial powerhouse of Italy and the centre of the wealthiest region. As a result Milan is very different to other Italian cities and having been occupied, destroyed and rebuilt so many times doesn't have the medieval charm associated with many Italian cities, meaning that it often gets overlooked by travellers. However this is a vibrant modern city that has a lot to offer as a destination in itself or as a base to explore the beautiful Lake Como to the north and the Alps.

How to get to Milan
direct flights to Milan operate from a number of cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast and these days it's easy to get indirect options from a number of other cities like Bristol and Newcastle. Flights to Milan take just under 2 hours and a number of operators like British Airways and Alitalia provide scheduleded services, however these don't always provide the best option for cheap flights. Milan is well catered for by a wide range of budget operators like Ryanair and Bmibaby and often these offer the best chances to find a cheap flight to Milan.

When to go to Milan
Not being a big tourist destination means that you can find bargains on Milan flights throughout the year. The winter months - November, December and January can get a bit cold and foggy but if you avoid Christmas and New Year you should be able to find cheap flights to Milan. The summer months around May, June, July and August can get a bit stuffy and August in particular offers great possibilities on finding bargains on Milan flights as well as hotels in Milan as this is when most locals take their holidays. Beware though you may find that many places close for the holidays.

What to do in Milan
Having found your cheap flight to Milan there are a number of sights you should see and things to do. Despite its reputation for urban spawl most of the key sites are all centrally located and there are good transport links throughout the city and you can also hire a car. The city is most famous for its fashion industry which rivals that of Paris offering unrivalled opportunities to update your wardrobe with the best cutting edge fashion - but expect to pay as this is not a cheap city. However not all the pleasures the city has to offer are so demanding on your purse. The centrally located Duomo is breathtaking and taking the walk up to the roof will give you an incredible panorama of the city and out to the surrounding mountains. Pop into one of the cafes surrounding it for some serious good coffee and and food to get your breath back. The culture vultures among you will love wandering around the city's many museums and art galleries where world famouse works of art will compete for your attention. No matter where you are and what your budget expect to find fantastic cuisine and after dinner why take a stroll around the tranquil Canal Districts of Brera and Navigli and admire the architecture.