Italy’s Fashion Center–Milan

Renowned as one of the world capitals of fashion, Milan is one of the most beautiful metropolitan destinations in all of Europe. Milan’s impact on fashion and design can not be overstated. Milan is so synonymous with fashion that the English word milliner–a maker or seller of women’s hats–is derived from the Italian word meaning ‘resident of Milan’.

Uncountable legions of visitors flock to Milan every year to visit its sites and bathe in its ancient splendor. One of the most popular attractions, the one no visitor or tourist would neglect, is the galleria. The galleria is widely reputed to be the world’s oldest shopping mall. The galleria lives up to its name, seeming more like a palatial art gallery than a center of commerce, but considering its raison d’etre and status as main attraction, it’s small wonder Milan is often referred to as the New York of Italy.

You may be getting the impression that Milan is all image obsessed Italians looking their best and trying to outshine their glorious and storied surroundings. This is not the case. As stylish as Milan is, there is great substance to this historic city. Within the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie hangs Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper. There are also a number of history and art museums dedicated to enlightening the visitor.

A Walk in Vienna

Vienna was, for hundreds of years, the capital of the Austrian Empire. It is renowned for the wealth of interesting buildings, churches and palaces in many architectural styles. Some, up to 700 years old, are graceful Gothic structures, others Renaissance and Baroque. The vast majority were built in the 19th century at the peak of the Empire’s power and wealth. These are predominantly, large opulent structures in Neo-gothic and Neo-renaissance styles, with some striking examples of the turn of the century Art Nouveau, in Vienna called Jugenstil.

The center of Vienna is easily explored on foot, and it’s richly rewarding to do so. There are a couple of sites that no one should miss. One such site is the Hoffsburg fortress. Began as a small fortress in 1275 it became the residence of 600 years of ambitious rulers, each eager to put their mark on the place. In such fashion it expanded greatly, each generation adding something in the style of the day from Gothic right up to the 19th century neo-renaissance.

Crossing town to the north-west you will come to the Burgtheater, the most prestigious theater in the German speaking world. An affair of crimson and flaxen in Italian renaissance style, the Burgtheater is a great place to end up as the last point on a walk. Be sure to get tickets in advance, the theater is almost always sold out and the view is best from the inside.