MILAN, Italy --Time is running out to visit Milan Expo 2015, the World's Fair held here this year.

Only about 200 km from Vicenza and 300 km from Livorno, the Expo is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people.

The theme for this year's fair is "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life," and participating countries are showing the best of their cuisine, technology and innovation. The event is also a platform where countries can share their ideas for a sustainable future and feeding the world's population.

With 145 countries represented, the Expo is no small venture. According to Expo literature, Milan had to compete to be the host city and put in its bid in October 2006. Milan was declared the winner in 2008, and preparation for the exhibition fair began.

In keeping with the theme, the Expo site is broken into clusters, in which different countries share a particular food chain for their part of the world. The clusters include rice; cocoa and chocolate; coffee; fruits and legumes; spices; bio-Mediterraneum; islands, sea and food; cereals and tubers; and arid zones. Each country has its own pavilion, and visitors may want to purchase an Expo "passport" to be stamped as you make your way. For five euro apiece, the passport makes a great souvenir.

Visitors to Expo can get there by car and park in the parking area, or take the train and use public transportation (railway or subway) to get to the site at Rho Fiera. Purchasing tickets ahead of time online at www.expo2015.org is the best option. Lines at the Expo can be long, so having a ticket in advance may speed up the process. Checking out deals with Groupon is also recommended. A regular ticket costs 39 euro, but with Groupon, this traveler found two for 49. (Government endorsement is not implied.)

If you and your family think you'd like to make the trek, plan ahead. Check out the Expo website and/or download the free Expo app, Expo 2015. The exhibition covers a lot of ground, so prior planning will ensure you get to visit the pavilions of your choice and see the special events, shows, or demonstrations you've put on your list.

Wear comfortable shoes and get there when the gates open. You'll be able to cover more ground that way. If traveling with children, make sure to bring some snacks because food can add up quickly. Refillable water bottles are also a good idea; there are water points throughout the Expo.

Get out there and see the world, one pavilion at a time.