We call this a “shortcut” guide because that’s exactly what it is: a very direct take on what’s best in Milan and the Lakes…and what can be skipped. Our author Michele Schoenung is a long-time resident of Milan and she provides a concise but enjoyably erudite introduction to the highlights of this great city: LaScala Opera House, the Last Supper by DaVinci, the world-famed Duomo Cathedral, its magnificent fashion industry on display in elegant glass-fronts up and down elegant boulevards. Icing on the cake: the glorious Lake District of resort hotels and country restaurants near Milan, of which Lake Como is only one of numerous awesome vistas.

This smaller-than-pocket sized book includes dozens of evocative color photos, detailed maps, exact pricing, opening hours, and the other important details that will make your trip smoother and less hectic.

It features candid reviews from an author who has visited every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop and nightspot in the guide—and many more! It also offers information for all sorts of travelers from backpackers on a budget to honeymooners looking to splash out.