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Milan, Italy + Add a trip
It's Friday 3:04am in Milan
Tips for Milan
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manu suggestsColonne di San Lorenzo
Added April 13th 2008Corso di Porta Ticinese, 39
The Colonne di San Lorenzo is the best-known Roman ruin in Milan.
maps.google.com/...
It's located in the hearth of Milan in front of the Basilica di San Lorenzo and south of the columns you can admire one of the medieval gates of the city.
In spring/summer time, during the evening it's a perfect location where to sip a beer engaging with a cool breeze and surrounded by lots of milanese people! -
Pietro suggestsObikà restaurant at La Rinascente
Added February 27th 2008Piazza Duomo
Very nice mozzarella bar on the top floor of La Rinascente magazines, just in front of the Duomo
www.obika.it -
Filippo suggestsRistorante Tagiura
Added July 16th 2008Via Tagiura 5, Milano
Good restaurant in Milano; very reasonable prices at lunch, much more expensive for dinner. Regional cuisine, and don't miss the desserts! One of the best tiramisu I've ever tried.
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marco suggestsPlastic
Added June 10th 2008Viale Umbria, 120
Plastic is one of the oldest club in Milan, and still one of the craziest and coolest. On Thursday the crowd is quite young. I personally love it on Friday (check you for the "Plastic London Night" on myspace to get in the list, or you might not accepted at the door). Saturnday the crowd is mainly homosexual. Get there at 11pm if you want to make sure to get in. Real action starts from 1 am, though.
www.thisisplastic.com -
Alef suggestsLe Biciclette
Added May 20th 2008Via Torti, on the corner of Corso Genova
Aperitivo in a nice atmosphere near Corso Genova
www.lebiciclette.com -
manu suggests
RITA the best Cocktails in town
Added April 13th 2008Via Angelo Fumagalli 1, Milano
RITA
quite difficult to find but as soon as you get there and after the first amazing drink you are ready to spend all night trying all different cocktails.
Food is amazing too ad the apertivo (drink and some free food) is very glamour.
the atmosphere is very friendly and you can meet there all sort of people from very stylish to very casual
enjoy it! -
manu suggests
BAR BASSO where all designer gather together at the end of the night
Added April 13th 2008via Plinio 39 - 20129 Milano
BAR BASSO
www.barbasso.com
one of the oldest bar in Milan and very well known for the milanese aperitivo NEGRONI - gin, red martini and campari. I suggest to try it!
If you are in town for the Furniture Fair usually by the end of the night you can meet there all designers from all the world within a terrific atmosphere!
see you there -
Beatrice suggeststrussardi alla scala ristorante
Added February 12th 2008piazza scala 5, 2nd floor. Milano
excellent food, beautiful location
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Henry suggestsGood Italian family cooking at Rosy e Gabriele
Added December 3rdPorta Venezia
It's always full on a Sunday night full of Italian families. What else can I say? Food is excellent and quite reasonable and the Risotto Milanese is fabulous but what do you expect in Milano. Right near the Sheraton Diana Hotel, it's conveniently near Porta Venezia, at Via Sirtori 26.
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Lisa suggestsCafe Marchese - Nicest Morning Coffee with charismatic locals
Added November 13thCorso Magenta
Oh their croissant and those hats & elbows on the bar...
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Getting There
Automobiles
A car can be a good idea, especially in summer when the lakes beckon, 40 mins away. Driving in Milan is not too challenging.
Planes
There are two airports: a taxi from Malpensa to the centre costs about €70; the fare from Linate is €18.
Trains
The Malpensa Express runs every 30 mins, connecting Terminal 1 and Milan's Cadorna railway station in about 40 mins.
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Local Knowledge
Dialing
Country code for Italy: 39. Milan: 02 - code always required.
Reads
Italian Hours by Henry James; Insider's Guide to Shopping by Jill Fairchild and Gerri Gallagher. The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni, considered by many to be the first Italian novel.
Do go / Don't Go
Everybody heads out to the lakes in high summer, when the city can feel deserted. The best times are the January sales, or spring, when it's warm and buzzing.
Cuisine
Risotto alla Milanese, tomato-and-mozzarella-filled panzerotto.
Taxis
Taxis are dear, and you'll need to ring one, or find an elusive cab rank.
Tipping
In restaurants, the cover charge represents your tip.
Currency
Euro.
Packing
Your most fashionista outfits; huge, extra-dark sunglasses.
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Worth Doing
Arts
A tour of La Scala (www.teatroallascala.org) is no substitute for a performance, but diverting nonetheless. Santa Marie delle Grazie houses da Vinci's Last Supper (open until 6.45pm; closed Mondays; ring +39 (0)2 8942 1146 to book). La Pinacoteca di Brera is a fine-art must, with pieces covering periods from pre-Renaissance to Cubism.
And...
The Fiera di Senigallia market, every Saturday, sells ethnic handicrafts, records and bicycles along the Darsena dockyard. Mercato dell'Antiquariato di Brera, on the third Saturday of the month, has stalls selling books, jewellery, antiques and curios.
Shopping
Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea house the showrooms of the major designers, including Gucci, Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Bottega Veneta. The Armani empire has its multi-concept store on Via Manzoni. For more affordable purchases (MaxMara, Bruno Magli, Pollini, H&M, Zara), head for Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The area around Porta Ticinese is good for street style (Diesel, Miss Sixty, Fornarina) as well as second-hand shops, handmade clothes and intriguing homewares.
Viewpoint
It's a good climb to the top of the Duomo - 166 steps, or there's a lift - but worth it for the eyeful.
Something
At aperitivo time, 6-9pm, many bars lay on free canapés. Il Cimitero Monumentale (Tuesday-Sunday 'til 17h15), where Giuseppe Verdi lies, is an amazing open-air museum in its own right.
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Diary
February Carnevale Ambrosiano, with floats and crowds processing to the Piazza del Duomo, ending on the first Saturday in Lent. Fashion week (autumn/winter collections). April International Salone del Mobile, the giant furniture fair, recently renamed Milan Design Week to reflect its broad appeal. May Pittori sul Naviglio: an outdoor art show along Alzia Naviglio Grande canal. July/August Summer concerts, Thursday evenings in Wilson Park. September Fashion week (spring/summer collections). December Opera season starts.
