Just describing it is exhausting. Milan may not be as big on the tourist circuit as Rome or Florence, but there's plenty to see and do, certainly enough for an overnight or two. Milan's cathedral, the city's centerpiece, is forested with 52 huge pillars and more than 3,000 statues. And the rooftop, a crown of spires, provides great views of the city and, on clear days, even the Swiss Alps. In the Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral square, you'll find a classic European scene.
Professionals scurry, label-conscious kids loiter, pickpockets eye the crowd.
They say that stepping on a certain part of Taurus the bull brings good luck. And finally, La Scala, one of the world's most prestigious opera houses, is just a grace note away. The information in this article was last verified in May 1997. Rick Steves is the author of Europe Through the Back Door and 12 other guidebooks. All rights reserved.