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Milan

 

Visit Milan to embrace Italian, sophistication and Fashion

 

The affluence of Milan and the Italian version of the good life is everywhere to see. The key to Milan is money. Milan is the financial capital of Italy. However, Milan is often known across the world for its high fashion. The seasonal fashion shows are a big show piece in Milan among the fashion world, the fashion shows promote the world’s top designers and pump the fashion community with next years wears. Alongside high fashion some of Milan famous landmarks are the Duomo Cathedral and the Galleria shopping centre.

 

Just walking around central Milan, or visiting any of the local bars and night clubs you will see stylish Italians of all ages, whom make looking great as normal as having their breakfast in the morning. This transcends all demographics across Milan.

The people in Milan embrace tradition, sophistication and ambition in equal measure, they are just as likely to follow their shares on the city’s stock market or AC Milan or Inter Milan football teams at the San Siro Stadium. The Milanese are particularly passionate about their football evident by a recommended trip to watch a game, and this can be best captured when the two clubs meet in the local derby matches at least twice a year.

In Milan you’ll find your true Italian shopping paradise, but not the true Italy. For this you need to venture to the likes of Venice or Rome. Milan receives more visitors than Venice or Florence, yet manages not to be a tourist trap - perhaps that's the real secret to Milan's style. This is a city of worldly pleasures, of making money and spending it. It is not renowned for its looks; it's the lifestyle that here counts and it’s one worth experiencing when here.

 

WhereTo Stay: The only hotel within the city walls with a garden, The Bulgari Hotel is located next to of Milan's most fashionable streets, Via Monte Napoleone. Owned by the Bulgari Jewellery family, it is impressively decorated with Black marble floors and whitewashed walls. Stella McCartney and Flavio Briatore have been known to shop off here; Ferraris and personal shoppers are available yo hire, or you can take a trip across the nearby Lake Como on a motorboat. Via Privata Fratelli Gabba 7B (www.bulgarihotels.com)

Where To Shop: A newly opened lifestyle store in the heart of Milan, Tad sell furniture, luxury bed linen and high-profile labels including Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs and Nina Ricci. When you have finished shopping, book a blow-dry at the in-house hairdresser or refuel in the restaurant. Via Statuto 12 (00 39 02 65 50 67 31)

Where To Eat: Despite the cutting edge interior and creative crowd, Eda specialises in regional Italian fare. Built within the courtyard of a 19th-century palazzo, well-dressed diners Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are regulars and Camilla al Fayed held a party here. Via Lippi 7 (00 39 02 26 68 19 62)

Where to Switch Off: A day spa conveniently situated in the city centre, Habits Culti has its own miditerranean, Noy, and a stylish household shop. Refined and elegant, stars hang out in the gender specific 'common rooms' with flotation tubs and turkish baths. Via Angelo Mauri 5 (00 39 02 48 51 72 86)

Out and about in Milan

Some of the key attractions and places to see are listed below.

The Duomo

The sheer size of the Doumo is really captivating. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, and has a number of artistic influences because of the great length of time that it took to build between 1386-1805. The design is difference of this Cathedral with over 3000 statues along its exterior, which give it a gothic type look. The Doumo is right in the centre of Milan within the Piazza del Doumo, alongside the Galleria a famous shopping centre in Milan.

 

Doumo A picture of the Doumo

Galleria

Galleria

 

The Galleria is Milan’s upscale shopping centre, and the opulence of the place is clearly evident once you step through the gates and walk along the marble floors. The Galleria is filled with unique boutiques, elegant cafes, and some great restaurants to match.

The Galleria connects the Piazza del Doumo with the Piazza Della Scala where the world famous La Scala opera can be found. The surrounding area of the Piazza Della Scala is the most aristocratic and neo-classical in Milan.

Brera

Apart from the city centre, another area deserving your attention is the Brera, immediately north of the Duomo, with its posh galleries and fashionable shopping streets. Also check out Navigli to the south.

Porta Ticinese, Navigli and Porta Romana

This is where you can find the most bars and clubs in Milan. There are hundreds and hundreds of bars, lounge bars, wine bars, pubs, cafés, bistrots, pubs, wine cellars, live music bars and lots of others besides. The Milanese night scene is so wide-ranging and changes continuously, just like everything in this eclectic city. There are clubs that are furnished in hi-tech style, or that are inspired by the Savannah, with leopard-skin chairs, palm trees and pretend elephants’ heads

Some of the most famous night stops in Milan

  • Atlantique
     House music from the most famous bands, a restaurant, a bar and a private club. A fashionable club opened by the designers Dolce and Gabbana.
  • Hollywood
     This is the most famous club in Italy. Nearly all the most glamorous people in Italy and world visit this place. This includes Models, designers, actors, and any other famous people all go there. Commercial music and dance floors for showing off your talents.
  • Loollapalozaa
     Crowded, wild and funky. You can dance on the tables, drink rum and tequila, sweat and have a great time. This is for those who are looking for a more wild time and whom are less bothered about posing.

Milan General Information:

Tipping: Tipping 10% is standard practice in Italy unless a service charge has been added.

Language: Italian is the main language but English is understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of the country.

Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin plug.