Milan's Furniture Fair

During the Salone del Mobile, Milan's furniture fair, in early April, the city is abuzz—there are showroom openings, cocktail parties, and product launches. Design types dressed in black and wearing hipster glasses fill the sidewalks and bars.

Except for two days, the Salone del Mobile is for professionals only, but you can still participate. Newspapers such as Corriere della Sera usually run an English supplement, and special design-week freebies list public events around Milan called Fuorisalone (www.fuorisalone.it). Major players such as bathroom-and-kitchen specialist Boffi (Via Solferino 11) and Capellini (Via Santa Cecilia 4) launch new products in their stores. But don’t visit if you haven’t planned ahead. Hotel rooms and restaurant seating are impossible to find. See www.salonemilano.it for dates.