Think you know Milan? Hire a car in Italy's style capital and think again! Once you've rented a car in Milan, you'll see a whole new side to the city. Not only does car rental in Milan allow you the freedom to shop ?til you drop all over the city, you'll also have somewhere safe and convenient to store all those fabulous purchases. It's not just the shopping in Milan that car hire facilitates, renting a car also gives you the freedom to tour the magical countryside of Lombardy.

Milan Mini Guide:

Milan is one of Italy's most popular city break destinations and it's easy to see why. The city not only boasts a fascinating historical heritage, it is also renowned as being one of the world? s top fashion capitals.

Things To See/Do in Milan:

Once you've arrived in the city, it's worth stepping out of your hire car for a while and taking a walking tour. This is one of the best ways to see what Milan has to offer in terms of cultural and historical attractions. Piazzo del Duomo is a great place to start. Here the impressive Duomo cathedral is a must see. Duomo is home to some 3,500 statues and offers a spectacular rooftop view of the Alps. Heading north of the Duomo brings you to the absorbing Pinacoteca Brera, where masterpieces by Titian, Canaletto, and Caravaggio are on public display. Meanwhile, Leonardo da Vinci's priceless ?Last Supper? can be viewed at Santa Maria della Grazie, however demand is such that up to four weeks booking is essential.

It's impossible to visit Milan without indulging in some retail therapy. No matter what your budget is, shopping in Milan is guaranteed to be a stylish affair. Serious fashionistas will find everything they're looking for on via Montenapoleone, via della Spiga, via Sant?Andrea and via Manzoni. Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton are to to be found on Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Those on a restricted budget are also well catered for. Milan's designer outlet stores, D-Magazine and Salvagente ensure that thrifty followers of fashion pay less for up to the minute threads through special offers and generous discount prices.

Eating Out in Milan:

Counting the pennies? Don't worry, it's easy to eat out on a thrifty budget in Milan. Cheap happy-hour deals are popular at establishments such as Bar Brera, the Dom Caf? and Le Biciclette on via Conca del Naviglio. Pizza is a great option for those looking to pay less for lunch or dinner. Top pizzerias include Anema e Cozze on Via Palermo, Primafila on via Ugo Foscolo and Pizzeria Dogana on via Dogana.

Traditional pasta is another cheap and cheerful snack at homely restaurants such as Osteria Giulio Pane e Ojo.

Day Trips/Events in Milan:

Milan's surrounding countryside offers plenty of scope for touring by hire car. Lombardy's mountain valleys and lakes lend themselves to a range of active outdoor pursuits including sailing, hiking and walking. The scenic Lake Como also makes for an especially pretty drive.

As a design capital, Milan is no stranger to trade fairs and fashion shows. The city's famous fashion shows take place in February and September for womenswear and late June and mid January for menswear. The Milan Furniture Fair takes place annually in April and exhibitions are open to the public at specially allocated design showrooms.