Enjoying the sights around my second home of Milano during a weekend away in late November. Among Italians who are not from Milano, the city has a reputation of being ‘industrial’ or ‘boring’ or ‘rude’, but the Milanese love their city and for good reason—it is one of the four fashion capitals of the world and a global leader in areas including art, finance, design, research, education and healthcare.

With almost Germanic architecture combined with ultra-modern high-rises and its distinctive duomo, Milano looks different from other Italian cities and this gives the city its own charm. Public transport runs on time and the city’s tree-lined streets and gardens are meticulously clean and well-kept. Step inside the courtyards and you’re often met with trees and shrubbery adorned with fairy lights, giving an almost etherial ambience. Alongside classic Italian bistros, gelaterias and cafés are restaurants catering for every cuisine, taste and budget.

The Milanese are straight-talking, direct and to the point, perhaps a touch more businesslike than the residents of other Italian cities, but this gives the city its own flavour—unmistakably Italian but with added efficiency.