If you are staying in the center of Milan, the best place to run is at the historic brick Castello Sforzesco and the adjacent Parco Sempione. This is the heart of Milan running, especially the Arena Civica, an updated 19th-century amphitheatre on the eastern edge of the 120-acre park. While casual runners cannot often run on the arena's synthetic track, the oval does serve as the start and finish of such noteworthy events as the "StraMilano", Italy's largest half marathon. For speed work, try running laps around the outside of the amphitheatre. If you run in the cement bike paths, the run is just under one kilometer per lap. For longer runs, try doing loops around the rim of this lush park. Each loop is 3.3 kilometers. Local 10km races of three laps around the park are held several times a year. The Antica Locanda dei Mercanti is a classic little hotel not far from the Castello Sforzesco. As an added attraction, you can run through or around the castle. Finally, if you are wondering about the art nouveau building with the weird fountain along the rim of the park, it is the Acquario Civico. The water comes out of the green mossy mouth of a stone-carved hippo - a reminder to keep hydrating, especially in the Summer.

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