La Scala is one of Italy's most famous opera houses and a must-see attraction for opera fans. The 2007-2008 opera season opened December 7 with Wagner's Tristan und Isolde and Daniel Barenboim making his impressive debut as principal guest conductor. Read more about the opening in the Associated Press report.

Symphonies and operas this season include a Christmas concert, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Romeo and Juliet. Find out more about La Scala and other historic Italian opera houses in Top Opera Houses in Italy.

Milan's luxury Four Seasons Hotel, a former 15th century convent, is right around the corner from La Scala and makes a convenient hotel if you're going to an opera. La Veranda Restaurant serves an after theater menu, as well as afternoon tea and special multi-course holiday dinners for Christmas and New Year's Eve and Day. By the way, Milan was named by Tripadvisor as the world's number 4 shopping city and Four Seasons has a winter shopping special offer.

Milan, one of Europe's richest cities, is known for stylish shops, galleries, and restaurants. Its Duomo is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world. Milan is also the home of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper. If you plan to see the painting, be sure to book ahead. We have the information you need in Visiting the Last Supper.

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^{Photo of La Scala in Milan © 2006 by Martha Bakerjian.}