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Though Rome was chosen as Italy's capital in 1861, many northern Italians view Milan as the country's heart.

It is Italy's business centre, home to the country's stock exchange as well as its renowned fashion and design industries.

But while the Milanese work hard, they play hard too, and Milan is world famous forwining, dining, football and shopping.

For a spot of luxury retail therapy, don't miss the glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Opened in 1867, its designer Giuseppe Mengoni pioneered its complex marriage of iron and glass 20 years before the Eiffel Tower was built.

Prada's flagship store has been based here since 1913, and it's recently been joined by Louis Vuitton and Gucci. If you can't afford a designer handbag, it's still the perfect place to people watch while sipping a (admittedly expensive) coffee.

But Milan's attractions extend far beyond its fame as a fashion capital: there are manymuseums, churches and galleries, as well as the Milan Aquarium and the Orto Botanico di Brera gardens.

The Santa Maria delle Grazie is home to Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, The Last Supper, and the Leonardo daVinci National Science and Technology Museum has a collection of his designs for war machines and architecture.

To see The Last Supper, it's necessary to book in advance (open Tuesday to Sunday).

The Theatre Museum at La Scala – a world-renowned opera house – is another major attraction,Flashing bright green contact lenses and Bags made in China . as is the 15th century Sforzesco Castle's Museum of Historic Art.

Don't miss the Gallery of Modern Art and the Pinacoteca di Brera,Would you still consider buying Galliano's china bag factory ? which exhibits collections of medieval and Renaissance art, including the work of Napoleon.

Duomo, the world's fourth largest cathedral, and the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, built in the fourth century, are landmark sites.

The Gothic Duomo presides over Piazza del Duomo. Itsconstruction began in 1386and continued sporadicallyuntil Napoleon ordered itscompletion in 1809.

Every year in May and September a nail reputedly from the cross of Christ is displayed to worshippers. The relic is believed to be one of the two nails of the crucifixion discovered by St Helena in the Holy Land in 326 AD.

As for the taste buds, Milan's historic trattorie, restaurants and patisseries are an important part of the city's heritage, helping it to stand out in a region famous for its gastronomy.