As you probably already know if you've been following this Forum, Milan is generally not a place that people choose to visit, except on business, or because they are in the fashion industry. It's known for grey skies and glass skyscrapers. But it's easy to put together a rewarding day, just don't expect traditional Italy. It's a very modern, urban Metropolis.

I've been there many, many times because I used to live and work in Torino, and would often have to go to Milano for various things.

You will probably be arriving to the Milano Centrale train station. Mussolini wanted to be a great Emperor and leave his stamp like Caesar Augustus. He wanted to create buildings that would rival the Colosseum. Thus, "Fascist Architecture" was born and Milano Centrale train station may very well be the most famous example of it. It is gigantic fascist architecture.

I like being there. Not for the fascist history, of course, but because it is architecturally unique. A few months ago I learned on this Forum when Up In
The Air posted about, "Platform 21," a hidden memorial to Holocaust victims who were sent to their death from that station. That may be of interest to you.

From there I'd head to the Duomo. In Milan when someone is always slow and late there is an expression to describe them, "lento como il Duomo," or as slow as the Duomo, because it took 600 years to build! There is a lot to see in there, and you'll have to time-budget that according to your personal taste.

From there you can walk to the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. It might be the most famous shopping mall in Italy. It's where all the high end fashion is. It's very expensive, but great for people watching. The times I've been there I'd go to a restaurant and watch Italian models coming in and out of restaurants to eat, both male and female, looking as if they were competing for how many heads they could turn.

There are other things of course. Seeing Da Vinci's The Last Supper in the church Santa Maria Della Grazie. I wouldn't count on it. You have to make a reservation. I bet it's already booked for all of October. I think they only bring in two groups of 25 people per day. The group goes into an ante-chamber where they sort of de-dust you to preserve the purity of the air around the painting. Each group is allowed to look at it for 15 minutes, then out you go. Most people have no idea about the symbolisms in the painting and spend more time reading the plaques explaining the painting than actually seeing the painting before their 15 minutes are up. You might be able to get a guide who can still get you in and explain the painting, if that's what you really want. Keep in mind that in Italy it is not called The Last Supper, just like The Leaning Tower of Pisa is not called The Leaning Tower of Pisa. The painting is called Il Cenacolo (Leaning Tower of Pisa is called Il Torre Pendente.) If you are going to stop someone on the street to ask for directions, it's a good idea to know the name of what you are looking for.

If the Cenacolo is not for you, from the Galleria you can go to La Scala, arguably the most famous opera house in the world. You can see the lobby or take a tour.

There are a few other sights, but since you will be winding down your vacation, I wouldn't try to do too much. Just know two things. Milan probably has the best restaurants in all of Italy if you are into high end dining, and want that type of splurge. There is already a thread on where to eat in Milan, but I cannot provide the link because I'm just on an iPhone. If high end dining is not what you want, I'd head to the Navigli District. It's a neighborhood with canals lined by interesting bars where you can get apericena, or aperitivi, and sit outside or inside and eat and have a drink, and reminisce about the lovely vacation you just had.

Now this last bit of advice is really, really important. In the evening take a taxi or public transportation to MXP, and stay at the airport Sheraton. Prices fluctuate wildly, from $150-$400, depending on the season. This is money well spent. No other airport hotel will do. And don't stay in the city if you have a morning flight out. Staying at the airport Sheraton is an almost obligatory thing to do on the last night, even if it's tight on the budget.