Discover Milan in Italy

Milan in the past was a powerful city, strategically located in the Italian peninsula, traders from the Far East and other parts of the world would pass by the city enriching its economy and culture. Milan has also been the subject of great disputes and wars, from the Romans to the Goths to the invading French, people have fought battles to own this little piece of wonder. Now, Milan is still barraged by people from all corners of the world not to fight battles for it, but for the shopping. Milan, along with New York, London and Paris, has become one of the world's centers for shopping.

Shopping in Milan is a year-round event and you can go there anytime. However, since shops are lined along the streets, summer and spring would be a great time to walk around and shop until you drop, literally. You can get next season's line-up on almost off-the-runway pieces. Here are places that you just can pass up when you're in Milan shopping.

1. High-fashion streets. Via Montenapoleone is the street to be when you're crazy for the latest in fashion. Here you can find the showrooms of the world's Italian golden signature brands like Versace, Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Fratelli Rossetti, Loro Piana and Cartier. Via Saint'Andrea can have you face-to-face with the beautiful designs of the house of Chanel, Fendi, Armani, Hermes, Prada, Moschino, Kenzo and Cesare Paciotti. Crossing to the Via della Spiga, you can find some Dolce and Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Tod's, Bulgari, Sergio Rossi and Chopard.

2. Stores that will not burn too big a hole in your wallet. If you are looking for more realistic shopping, head over to the four streets of Corso Buenos Aires, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Torino and Corso di Porta Ticinese.

Corso Buenos Aires offers the serious shopper, choices from Mandarina Duck, United Colors of Benetton, Kookai and Timerland. Corso Vittorio Emanuele boasts of the famous department store Rinascente. You can also find some trendy stores here with the likes of Max Mara, Bruno Magli and Moreschi, Zara, Furla and H&M. Via Torino is the favorite haunt of the younger crowd with Foot Locker and Camper stores. After a stroll in these streets, you can end up to Corso di Porta Ticinese which has the younger and commercial brands of Diesel, Miss Sixteen and Custo-Barcelona. It is also the place to be for eclectic shopping finds from statutes to hand-woven bed linen.

3. Shopping the Italian way. If you came to Italy with the romantic notions of unearthing a Michelangelo sketch from his childhood or the missing hands of the Venus de Milo, you can scour Milan's numerous marketplaces. The Mercatone del Naviglio Grande is a big market that starts September and is only held at the last Sunday of each month. You can find a wide array of antiques, furniture pieces, books, linen, paintings, jewelry and everything you can think of. Some of the exhibitors have stalls along the Naviglio Grande but brings out their goods for the Mercatone. The Fiera di Siniqaqlia is a flea market that rivals no other in Italy where you can find everything from books, clothes, perfumes, DVDs, etc. These places have a distinct Italian air with them and you can meet people from all sides of the globe, talk to the natives and haggle like crazy. Here, you can't expect to swipe you credit card away so bring lots of lira.