I only just came back from a couple of days in Milan so thought now was the best time to write with the memories fresh in my head. I had a really good time and would recommend it!
I went with my boyfriend from Saturday night until lunchtime Tuesday. So really we only got 2 full days. I would say 4 full days at most is all I could manage. Not that it wasn't good, just there is only so much you can do and see.
Lets start with what is said to be Milan's most popular attraction - The Duomo.
In all guide books, brochures and word of mouth opinions we had heard we were told that this is the biggest attraction in Milan and a must see. We decided to go on the first day as we arrived there in case it was hard to find - how daft were we. There is a metro stop at Duomo and as you surface from the underground the massive cathedral is right in front of you. We were a bit upset that the front was all covered in scaffolding but seen as it was 1836 when the building of it started, obviously it will be under constant repair. If you walk all the way round the cathedral you can see amazing architecture all around it so this made us less bothered about the scaffolded front. Take notice of the doors as you enter the Duomo, amazing how much detail has been put into the bronze. Inside the stained glass window are amazing. They are so high and beautiful, there was a service on when we went in but they don't mind tourists going in and having a nosey round. It is absolutely massive! I read somewhere that in Italy they don't like flash photography in churches but when I went into this one there were video cameras and flash photography everywhere.
If I was ever to go back to Milan I would have to go up onto the roof of the Duomo. Amazing views to be seen. I wimped out because I don't like heights and I was fed up of walking and couldn't be arsed with all those stairs and I would have had to go on my own. I think it was 4 euro to go up the stairs - there are loads! or 6 euro to go in the lift.
There is also the Museo Del Duomo, inside
this museum you can read information about the construction, keeping up with repairing and statistics about one of the biggest cathedrals in Europe. The parts that have been replaced's originals are in this museum to see.
The only thing I didn't like about this was there are guys in the big square trying to sell everyone pigeon food and silly bracelets.They are a bit persistent!
Castle the Caastello Sforzesco was originally built in 1368 but has had a few remodels. Leornardo da Vinci helped to design its defences in the 15th century. It was used for military use then became a museum centre. The castle is really beautiful and the fountain as you approach it is really pretty and high, but when I stood near it there was a gust of wind and I got soaked. It is easy to get to the castle by getting a metro to the Caroli stop. If you are interested there is a musical museum there, A couple of art museums and a decorative arts museum with rugs, mosaics etc. We didn't visit any of the museums but carried on walking through the castle, through a massive park and to an arch. I don't actually know what the arch was for but it was beautiful and definitely worth a walk through the park!
San Siro If you are interested in football at all don't miss out on a chance to go to the shared stadium of Ac and Inter Milan - Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. I'm not really sure the best way to go there but we got the metro to Lotto and then walked. It was quite a trek though but I think there is a free bus from the metro. We only went to see how big the stadium was and didn't realise that it was the morning after and AC and Inter game! The outside area stunk off wee and we saw a knife on the floor which isn't necessarily what you want to see! Anyway we walked the whole circumference of the ground then realised that you could get a tour for 12 euro. The tour took us into the stand, showed the commentary boxes, the changing rooms, showers, players exit, the field, the interview area after the game and then the museum. It is worth doing, they had a right task ahead of them cleaning up after that game though!
Central station This is where we arrived from the airport. It is huge and so pretty. This is the train staition, you can also get a metro from here. The building is so long and high you have to go as far back and get a photo with the whole building in it!
Shopping Where to start! We arrived on a Saturday night and couldn't find anywhere to get something to eat. No shops were open, no bars open no nothing. I wasn't sure whether it was Sunday's or whether they had seasonal opening. Not a lot more was open on the Monday locally to the Hotal Adam where we stayed. In the main centre of town a lot was closed also. I was told buy someone while there that a lot of Italians have shares in the stockmarket and if they are doing well don't bother to open their shops. It is a designer shoppers paradise though in Miland. With Armani, Prada, Gucci, Versace, Burberry and Alexander Mcqueen. There are also less pricey shops like H&M which are good. It is more for rish people but I'm sure if, like me, you aren't I'm sure you'll find a few things.
Weather When we went in February we were expecting it to be very cold but it was actually ok. Definitely coat weather but not freezing! Quite pleasant if it's sightseeing you want. I would recommend going at this time if you are not bothered about a bit of cold because it costs so much less! We woke up one morning and there was snow covering the ground that had fallen overnight, but none fell during the day, it wasn't much colder and it looked quite pretty on the buildings.
Metro I would recommend you ask the hotel staff about the local metro ticket service if you don't know about it as we couldnt understand it at all. There were no English instructions on the ticket machines and nobody around seemed to know a word of English. So we were having to buy a ticket for almost every journey which was a pain, we were trying to find out how to get a ticket to hop on and off all day. The tickets seemed very reasonably priced though. Also the metro stops are often and there isn't really anywhere you could want to go where there isn't a metro right outside. In the stations there is a lot of grafitti and we got tiny children coming over asking for money sent by their parents which wasn't very nice. Also there are a lot of people on a night setting up stalls of hangbags, sunglasses, hats etc. They don't harass you to buy stuff though.
Accomodation We stayed at the Hotel Adam, this was only a metro ride away from everywhere and luckily the metro is right outside the door which is very good. It was £97 for both of us for 3 nights at this hotel. It was a 4* and very nice. We booked this through expedia.co.uk. It didn't have everything stated on the website but was good. If you are on a budget we found expedia a good option.
Food and Drink When we arrived at the hotel we were hungry and wanted a beer, we had a wander around and after walking half of Milans ground found a restaurant - it looked very quiet and it was 11.30 so we thought we'd get a take away - we got 2 pizzas for 11 euro and found in the town the pizzas were 6 to 7 euro each so not badly prices at all and they are yummy. The drinks are very cheap in supermarkets, so if you are likely to be drinking at your hotel, I would suggest buying from a supermarket rather than an off license, mini bar or hotel bar. We paid 24 euro for 4 small bottles of budweiser at the hotel bar - how silly are we. There are Macdonald's everywhere! I had to try the real italian version of my favourite dish ever - Spaghetti Carbonara, bu was disappointed to find the pasta quite hard and stodgy. I thought maybe it was a crappy restaurant but a few people I've spoke to said it was all over Italy like that. There are quite a few chinese restaurants that I heard were nice thought we didn't visit any. One restaurant we did go to was Ajoblanco. It was very nice and served traditional spanish dihes and tapas. It was reasonably priced and the setting was lovely. Would definitely recommend the paella.
Well that's about it. I would say couples and sightseeing lovers, or very rich shoppers are the people who would appreciate Milan most. I don't think children would be that interested as there isn't that much for them to do! We got a bargain with accomodation and flights with both and insurance for less than £100 per person. The flights were booked with ryanair and expedia for the accomodation. This price included airport transfers we booked through Ryanair at £9 each return which was good as the coach was regular and easy to get off the plane and straight onto. Insurance was also included in the price so can't moan. Once you're there if travelling on the metro and you can figure out how to use the machine, travel is cheap. Food is reasonably priced unless you visit the v. posh restaurants. Most of the best attractions don't have entrance charges and if they do, they are very small.
For the daily budget at the bottom I don't know what to put because that depends on what you are going to do, where you are eating and drinking and shopping! I would say about £30-£40 a day.
Things that we didn't do and you may want to are - go go-karting, go to the motorbike museum, art galleries and see The Last Supper painting which you have to book to visit. I think it was about 6 euro per person and you book at most newspaper kiosks.
I don't think I would go back as I have been and seen all of the things I would want to see but I would recommend it. If you go 3 nights is probably best - if you plan to do a lot a week is the most you could probably stay.
One thing I would definitely say is to take a guide book and brush up on a bit of Italiano because it'll help a lot!
It sounds nice but it's not somewhere I'd rush to. I love Italy but there are other places I'd rather visit (unless I win loads of money lol)
Whinger 21.06.2005 23:49
A Superb, Thorough and above all 'E' Rating worthy review! I love Milan - it is a beautiful city - I have the fortune of passing through it every year when I go to an exhibition for my company. Well done! Tim
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Mar 9th, 2005
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