May next year marks 500 years since the death of Leonardo da Vinci, artist, engineer and general genius.
He spent more than 20 years in Milan and the city is buzzing ahead of the anniversary celebrations.
Not that you need an excuse to visit this beautiful and stylish city, which I found glorious even in the rain.
Rome’s outwardly plainer little sister, Milan’s glories lie behind the facade where stunning beauty and historical splendour lie.
I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Milan as a press guest ( I was undertaking a travel report for a newspaper) and this was luxury beyond which I have yet experienced and is certainly amazing as a treat. (I’ll share a full hotel review soon)
But there are hotels and hostels for all price ranges and you can fly direct and cheaply from cities across the UK. It’s perfect for a weekend away and there is SO much to see.
This is just a quick glimpse and I promise I’ll share the best places to visit.
Off to Milan, flying with British Airways 
My bedroom, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Milan (press stay) 
I need this chandalier – Mandarin Oriental Hotel (press stay) 
The ornate Fornasetti mirror wall in the Fornasetti-designed room at Mandarin Oriental, Milan 
The Navigli canals designed by Da Vinci, beautiful even in the rain and at night, the 
So pretty, Navigli, Milan 
La Scala theatre 
La Scala Theatre 
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II 
Glorious glass roof at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II 
The Duomo cathedral square 
BikeMi can be borrowed for a small charge 
Ambrosiana 
The final unfinished work of Michelangelo – the marble Rondanini Pieta at Castello Sforzesco 
Nicola, the friendly bartender 
Hanging in Da Vinci’s former vineyard 
The Fornasetti House and garden 
The Fornasetti House and Garden 
Da Vinci’s former vineyard 
Leonardo da Vinci parade, exhibition at the Museum of Science and Indistry, Milan 
Decisions, decisions at Vanilla Milano, gelato heaven 
Duomo, Milan, Italy
I travelled to Milan as part of a press stay hosted by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel group
