Milan experiences cold, foggy winters, with average low temperatures in the 20s Fahrenheit (subzero Celsius) and hot, humid summers, with high temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit (high 20s Celsius). While spring and autumn are pleasant, they are prone to highly changeable conditions. September and October are the months with the highest amounts of rainfall.

American Chamber of Commerce

Brazilian Consulate

Most large hotels (some of which may be listed here) also have business centers that offer many of the same services that independent centers provide.

Milan Richini (Regus)

Milan Via Torino

Omtra Via Carroccio

Regus business centre

Fiera Milano, Piazzale Giulio Cesare

Filaforum, Milanofiori District

Global Multilingual Translations

Talenti Viaggi – Sezione Congressi

GO Courier Srl

DHL

FedEx

All upper range and most medium priced hotels are equipped with dataports that allow guests to use laptop computers. Many hotels also offer business centers equipped with computers and Internet access. Outside hotels, cyber cafes are available including:

Redchasqui

Grazia Internet Cafe

Citizens of EU countries, US, Canada, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Australia do not need a visa for tourist visits up to 90 days. Regardless of your nationality, you are advised to register within eight days of your arrival with the foreigners' police if your stay in one city is longer than a week. If you are staying at a hotel, the staff will be able to take care of this.

Duty free allowances are 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 750ml of spirits (over 22% proof), or 2 liters of fortified or sparkling wine; 60g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract, and; 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract. Travelers arriving in Italy after visiting other countries are allowed to carry souvenirs purchased in other countries up to a total value of US$500, and only a verbal declaration is required.

The country code for Italy is 39. The area code for Milan is 02.

Dial 112 for Carabinieri's service Dial 113 for the police service Dial 115 for the fire department

Dial 116 for the A.C.I. (Italian Automobile Club) for road side assistance Dial 118 for Medical Emergency

Long distance calls within Italy are dialed in the same way as local calls: the city code plus the number. Area codes contain one to three digits. Direct international calls can be made by dialing 00 to get out of Italy, then the respective country and area codes, and the number. For general information in English, dial 176. To place international telephone calls via operator assisted service (or for information), dial 170 or long distance access numbers. Public telephones are available throughout Italy. A local call from a public telephone requires the use of coins or calling cards. Toll free numbers start with 800, while premium numbers begin with 116 or 900.

Italy's primary cellular standards are GSM, RTMS450, and ETACS. If you choose to bring your cellular phone into Italy, be sure to check with your home cellular service provider to establish compatibility of your phone with systems abroad. Rent a locally compatible cellular phone before you arrive to obtain reasonable rates and reliable service. Cellular phone numbers begin with 3. The three digit dialing code identifies the carrier.

As of January 1, 2002, euro became the official currency. Euro notes are available in denominations of EUR5, EUR10, EUR20, EUR50, EUR100, EUR200, and EUR500, while coins are in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and EUR1 and EUR2. The euro is divided into 100 cents.

Italy is in the Central European Time Zone, one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

VAT percentage range between 4% (food for every day consumption such us milk, pasta) and 20% (sport equipment, shoes, cars, garments and jewelry).

The electrical current in Italy is AC; the cycle is 50Hz 220 V. Plugs have round prongs.

Milan's public transit system consists of a subway system (metro), trams, and buses and is extensive. While not comprehensive, the metro is the fastest and easiest way to get around. Tickets can be bought for single use, one day use, or two day use. Taxis are in white or yellow. Taxis are difficult to hail from the streets and can be found at stands or can be telephoned. A short trip in downtown averages EUR8.50. Driving in Milan is not recommended, given Milan's traffic congestion and dearth of parking.

No vaccinations are required for Italy, but exercise normal precautions, and take special care in the summer to avoid sun and heatstroke. Tap water is potable. Food is safe.

Da Aimo e Nadia has been widely praised for its fresh produce and sumptuous Italian cuisine. With large light dining rooms, many ceiling fans and walls with paintings, Da Ilia is a classic old-fashioned north Italian restaurant with an enormous buffet of antipasti. Cracco Peck, offering tasty Italian dishes and sleek décor, is a favourite for power lunches. Bagutta is famous for its annual literary prize which has been going since 1927 and its Lombard-Tuscan fine cuisine. Homemade pastas are the house specialty at the cozy, classically styled Don Carlos. For divine sushi and Japanese fusion, try the stylish Armani/Nobu. At dawn for more than 30 years, Giuseppe Leo has gone to Milan's fish market to select only the best for his fish-only restaurant, Da Leo.

Synonymous with designer fashion, Milan offers the latest in the world of chic, Italian style from Dolce & Gabbana to Ferragamo to Gucci and Prada. The shops of Via Montenapoleone, Via Sant'Andrea and Via della Spiga north of the Cathedral constitute what is known as the Golden Triangle of Fashion.

Milan shopping is also fabulous for beautifully designed furniture and a variety of art objects. Some notable streets for such items include Via Durini, Via Manzoni, Brera and Via Fiori Chiari. Interesting antiques can often be found in the antique markets that take place weekends on the banks of the canal around the Grande Naviglio. Sporting goods and sportswear also make great gifts.

Milan's most distinguished gallery the Pinaoteca de Brera has a collection that includes Raphael's Marriage of the Virgin. The Ambrosiana Library and Picture Gallery is also renowned for its collection. The magnificent roof and elaborate interior of the Duomo, the largest Gothic cathedral anywhere in the world, make it one of the city's most popular sites. On display within the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, while the Sforza Castle houses the Pieta Rondanini, Michelangelo's last work. La Scala has a reputation as one of the finest opera houses in Europe.

The Parco Sempione and Giardini Pubblici are among Milan's best places for a walk or a relaxing pause. Not far from Milan is the romantic city of Manuta, where three lakes are the backdrop for stunning palaces and frescoes.

At night try the Brera, Navigli and Ticinese districts for lively bars and nightclubs. To witness the extraordinary energy of Italian soccer fans, attend an AC Milan or Inter Milan game at the San Siro stadium.