Milan holds many surprises for travellers of any budget. Milan is well known to be at the most well rolling on the euros! There are infact plenty of ways to save money on fashion, yes indeed!, food and transport and many free sights to enjoy!

To start with hit up the Tourism Office; locations are in Piazza del Duomo and on the second floor of the Central Station. I'm saying this as the Milan Tourism Board offers to first time city visitors a Welcome Card, which includes a city map, a one-day free transport pass and a history of Milan with long lived reminiscences of the Sforza's family entwining with the other wealthy and powerful families of the early Italian History, the Church, the Medici of Florence. It's a good way for you to discover to trace back this marvellous culturally but at the same time quite harsh period in the Italian history.

Well, up to now there isn't though a pass that offers discounts on museums or shops. The Tourism Office in the station is opened Mon to Sat from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm and on Sun 9.00 am to 1.00pm, then 2.00 pm to 5.00pm.

Bear in mind that timing is important when planning a trip to Milan infact this cosmopolitan city holds a number of events and conventions throuout the year, so hotel rates are higher of course and prices shoot up! The Fashion Week is in Mid-March: just after this event, prices come back down so it's a good bet to book keeping in mind those events and you'll have more good wine to enjoy together!

Transport wise it's cheaper to buy a "Blocchetto" of 10 tickets those can be used for all forms of transports interchangebly; cost is 9.20 euro. Shopping wise there are a number of flea markets in Milan;surprisingly cheap the most known is the Fiera di Sendalia. There you'll find all sorts of goodies including leather, jewelery, clothing, furniture, books and more definetely to check out! It's located in Viale D'Annunzio and it's on on Saturday morning.

As for fine, lovely Italian food, a good budget option is to opt for the Italian version of Happy Hour around 6 or 7 pm: your drink will come with a very good share of fine food; on most every night you'll be welcomed in bars with free "Stuzzichini"(appetizers), olives, selection of cheese, maybe pizza or pasta dishes. Sounds nice, isn't it?

As for free sites to see, there's Leonardo's House: his stay dates back to 1482 when the Sforza family commisioned him a giant equestrian monument, then you can have a stroll along the oldest street in Milan, via Speronari. The Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro has been the site of many pilgrimages: it stands in its Baroque facade and holds Bizantine frescoes to see.

Definitely not to miss at all it's the Castello Sforzesco; admission to the museum is 3 euro and browse around the beautiful grounds along those ancient walls rich of history. There is a Special Tip for the Castle admittance: if you are there by 4.30 pm and 5 pm and on Fridays from 2 pm and 5.30 pm you can get in the castle museums for free. That's good for Cheapos mates!