milan better than expected
Sep 16th, 2005, 05:55 AM
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milan better than expected
Hi there, nice to be here and yes I am new to this forum, but it does seem interesting and full of nice infos... so here I go giving my first suggestion (hope someone will find it interesting!)
I live in New York City most of the time, but have to travel to Milan, Italy very often for work and feel like suggesting it as a tourist destination. It is not very touristy because people tend to head straight to Venice, Rome, the lakes, etc... but milan it is really worth a visit and more than one and once you get into it you do want to come back again. I would suggest to hang around the main historical center just if you really want a first glimpse of the city in terms of tourist attractions like the huge cathedral Duomo in Duomo Square and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele with the paintings of the four (four know at that time) on the high walls in the main 'navade'. The main square in the center is really nice and powerful, but if you want to have fun and spend less at the same time you should go right out of the main central area in the evening because there is hardly anything there and the real cool life is elsewhere around the following areas: Navigli (with the cute canals), Brera (near the Academy of Art), but the best places in town are here and there one far from the other and they are worth a visit, but you need to take the underground and or buses and or trams and or taxis to get there since at first milan might seem small, but in fact it is in terms of inhabitants the same size of Chicago!. The following are some of the places I like most: 'the plastic' disco pub, 'absolut bar' (sponsored by absolut vodka and made out of ice! they will give you a big esquimo style coat to enter and of course the vodka is faboulous), the 'coquetel' in the 'Colonne di San Lorenzo' area (near a great park with an incredible old church and some roman ruins), the 'Diana Majestic Lounge' at the Sheraton Diana Majestic near Buenos Aires Avenue and if you want a really really delicious meal (really italian - not tourist trap style) for a really affordable price, you should try 'Da Giuliano - Un Angolo D'Abruzzo' around the area near Nino Bixio Rd. milan is a real heaven for music of any kind (of the international high standard) and I would suggest that you go to the 'Blue Note' jazz club (yes owned by friends of the blue note in nyc but bigger and nicer) that often hosts big names like Coltrane etc.... - it serves nice food too, so you can relax in front of a nice beer or wine, eat some good food and listen to the great music - the Blue Note in Milan is in Borsieri rd. in a very lively area referred to by locals as 'The Island' with lots of nice places to go in terms of bars, clubs, venues, restaurants and independent music and theaters as well. In terms of tourist attractions I suggest that you head to the 'PAC' the Pavillion of Modern Art, and the Castle as well is amazing with all those museums as well. You should also see the 'Branca Tower' where you can go on the top and see the full huge extension of Milan greater city, the Branca Tower is in the Sempione Park and in the evenings at the bottom of the tower (but in the evening you can't get the lift to the top) the Cavalli Lounga and Bar (by designer Cavalli) is open and of course (it is still Milan after all) it is full of trendy models and designers having a go with a few martinis and similar drinks and cocktails.In terms of hotels there is plenty of them and some of them are real cool and not necessary expensive if you book on the internet. I tend to book my hotels in the major hotel reservations website that have discounted offers and so on, like http://www.expedia.com or http://www.travelton.com and many others and they all have some great offers in terms of hotel deals. It would take me ages to tell you everything i learned about this great city and well I haven't got that time at the moment, but of course you're more than welcome to drop me a line if you want more inofs about Milan and I suggest that you take the time to discover this city and the infinte options it offers and avoid being stuck in the supposed 'center' because ten minutes there are more than enough and there is not much to do there while the city elsewhere (where not many tourist go) is huge and real fun and interesting. Have a great trip!
I live in New York City most of the time, but have to travel to Milan, Italy very often for work and feel like suggesting it as a tourist destination. It is not very touristy because people tend to head straight to Venice, Rome, the lakes, etc... but milan it is really worth a visit and more than one and once you get into it you do want to come back again. I would suggest to hang around the main historical center just if you really want a first glimpse of the city in terms of tourist attractions like the huge cathedral Duomo in Duomo Square and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele with the paintings of the four (four know at that time) on the high walls in the main 'navade'. The main square in the center is really nice and powerful, but if you want to have fun and spend less at the same time you should go right out of the main central area in the evening because there is hardly anything there and the real cool life is elsewhere around the following areas: Navigli (with the cute canals), Brera (near the Academy of Art), but the best places in town are here and there one far from the other and they are worth a visit, but you need to take the underground and or buses and or trams and or taxis to get there since at first milan might seem small, but in fact it is in terms of inhabitants the same size of Chicago!. The following are some of the places I like most: 'the plastic' disco pub, 'absolut bar' (sponsored by absolut vodka and made out of ice! they will give you a big esquimo style coat to enter and of course the vodka is faboulous), the 'coquetel' in the 'Colonne di San Lorenzo' area (near a great park with an incredible old church and some roman ruins), the 'Diana Majestic Lounge' at the Sheraton Diana Majestic near Buenos Aires Avenue and if you want a really really delicious meal (really italian - not tourist trap style) for a really affordable price, you should try 'Da Giuliano - Un Angolo D'Abruzzo' around the area near Nino Bixio Rd. milan is a real heaven for music of any kind (of the international high standard) and I would suggest that you go to the 'Blue Note' jazz club (yes owned by friends of the blue note in nyc but bigger and nicer) that often hosts big names like Coltrane etc.... - it serves nice food too, so you can relax in front of a nice beer or wine, eat some good food and listen to the great music - the Blue Note in Milan is in Borsieri rd. in a very lively area referred to by locals as 'The Island' with lots of nice places to go in terms of bars, clubs, venues, restaurants and independent music and theaters as well. In terms of tourist attractions I suggest that you head to the 'PAC' the Pavillion of Modern Art, and the Castle as well is amazing with all those museums as well. You should also see the 'Branca Tower' where you can go on the top and see the full huge extension of Milan greater city, the Branca Tower is in the Sempione Park and in the evenings at the bottom of the tower (but in the evening you can't get the lift to the top) the Cavalli Lounga and Bar (by designer Cavalli) is open and of course (it is still Milan after all) it is full of trendy models and designers having a go with a few martinis and similar drinks and cocktails.In terms of hotels there is plenty of them and some of them are real cool and not necessary expensive if you book on the internet. I tend to book my hotels in the major hotel reservations website that have discounted offers and so on, like http://www.expedia.com or http://www.travelton.com and many others and they all have some great offers in terms of hotel deals. It would take me ages to tell you everything i learned about this great city and well I haven't got that time at the moment, but of course you're more than welcome to drop me a line if you want more inofs about Milan and I suggest that you take the time to discover this city and the infinte options it offers and avoid being stuck in the supposed 'center' because ten minutes there are more than enough and there is not much to do there while the city elsewhere (where not many tourist go) is huge and real fun and interesting. Have a great trip!
Sep 16th, 2005, 07:04 AM
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I just returned from Milan and whole-heartedly agree with your assessment. Here is my trip report about Milan.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34677544
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34677544
Sep 16th, 2005, 08:16 AM
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I just got back from MIlan about 3 days ago to visit my cousin who lives there now. I'm sorry, but, as a tourist destination, the city is worth only a full day or 2. However, for shopping, especially high fashion items, this city is a fashionista heaven.
Sep 16th, 2005, 09:15 AM
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I got back from Milan last week. I thought it was a tremendous place and certainly under rated.
But I knew someone there, and that makes all the difference.
The happy hour apertino bars where you order a drink or two, and help yourself to a buffet (free). These places are an institution in Milan, but it's best if a local tips you to the best.
The Street Markets blew me away. Vendors were polite. All income classes shop at the street markets. And there were some fantastic deals.
And you can great some great hotel deals. We got the Century Una near the train station for $100 @ night.
Speaking of train stations, the Milan Central station was most impressive and is worth a walk through, regardless of what anyone says.
But I knew someone there, and that makes all the difference.
The happy hour apertino bars where you order a drink or two, and help yourself to a buffet (free). These places are an institution in Milan, but it's best if a local tips you to the best.
The Street Markets blew me away. Vendors were polite. All income classes shop at the street markets. And there were some fantastic deals.
And you can great some great hotel deals. We got the Century Una near the train station for $100 @ night.
Speaking of train stations, the Milan Central station was most impressive and is worth a walk through, regardless of what anyone says.
Sep 16th, 2005, 09:29 AM
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HI BORROUGHS. THANKS FOR THE INFO. WE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT NOW IT APPEARS THAT YOU ARE OUR PERSONAL GUIDE. WE WILL GO TO THE BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB ON MONDAY NIGHT SO HOW SHOULD WE DRESS AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET IN? WE ARRIVE ON A SUNDAY AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE MALL IS CLOSED SO WHAT CAN WE DO? THE ABSOLUT BAR SOUNDS DIFFERENT, HOW SHOULD WE DRESS AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER?DO YOU HAVE THE ADDRESS OR WEBSITE HANDY?
Sep 16th, 2005, 10:33 AM
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Here is the big department store behind the Duomo that is open on Sunday along with all the shops along the way.
http://www.rinascente.it/eng/istituz...lano.aspx?s=22
http://www.rinascente.it/eng/istituz...lano.aspx?s=22
Sep 16th, 2005, 10:34 AM
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>>>>>>> The stores behind the Duomo are open all day on Sunday. There is a lot to do. <<<<<<<<
The stores behind the Duomo are NOT all open all day on Sunday. Some remain closed until 3 pm the following Monday. Others start to open on Sunday in the afternoon.
The stores behind the Duomo are NOT all open all day on Sunday. Some remain closed until 3 pm the following Monday. Others start to open on Sunday in the afternoon.
Sep 16th, 2005, 11:47 AM
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I think this is great info borroughs, could have used it for my Milan trip a few years ago. We did spend one full day and night there and it was totally worth it, wander shops, tour the duomo, eat/drink like all over italy etc. The Metro system was easy and quick to get around on too!
Sep 16th, 2005, 02:37 PM
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The Coin is open on Sunday too: http://www.hm.com/it/hm/store/store_result_concept.jsp
Sep 16th, 2005, 03:03 PM
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Borroughs: Yes! Thanks so much for your affirmation of this beautiful city. I love it too, and it was great to "walk in your footsteps" . (Don't tell too many people how wonderful it is - one of the reasons I like it so much is that so many Tourists don't !
LOL
LOL
Sep 16th, 2005, 03:08 PM
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I agree with you Bokhara, LOL.
borroughs, I too love Milan and am fortunate to have friends there. But I certainly have not been to all the places that you have. I so enjoyed your post. Thank you for sharing!
borroughs, I too love Milan and am fortunate to have friends there. But I certainly have not been to all the places that you have. I so enjoyed your post. Thank you for sharing!
