It's where she first made her debut as Tom Cruise's plus one and where the couple married.
So Katie Holmes always gets a thrill out of coming back to Italy.
Apart from the opportunity for a trip down memory lane, there's always the delicious cuisine and the shopping.
And during this week's trip to mark her new role – as the 2011 MaxMara Face of the Future, given to recipients for their style and taste – the actress said she fully intended to indulge in some retail therapy.
In particular, added the mother-of-one, she had her eyes open for something for her four-year-old, Suri – arguably the best dressed little girl in Hollywood.
Click on photos for gallery
Sitting front row at the Italian fashion house's Milan Fashion Week show, the 32-year-old looked elegant in a classic camel coat over a brown silk one-shouldered jumpsuit.
"It's so soft and comfortable. I love their clothes," enthused Katie, who was accompanied by her mum.
The stylish brunette seemed particularly impressed with the brand's autumn/winter 2011 collection.
Inspired by classic British wardrobe staples – from the parka and the duffel coat to the biker jacket – the collection featured strapless dresses in sequin-embellished tartan.
For the evening, there were strapless jumpsuits and fringed ball gowns.
It was created for the cool, contemporary woman – epitomised, said MaxMara's British designer Ian Griffiths, by Katie, whose style he described as 'chic and modern'.
Elsewhere in Milan, Prada presented a sexy collection inspired by the Twenties and the Sixties – two of designer Miuccia Prada's favourite decades.
And Italian duo Dominico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana showcased an 'alphabet' collection for their young D&G label.
Letters were painted on the catwalk and the backdrop, appeared as jewellery, and also featured on skirts and boyfriend blazers.
