MILAN, ITALY has been tagged as the Business and Fashion Hub of Italy. No wonder the fashion-minded jet-setters are wandering here. The land of fashion is also the business center where restaurants, coffee shops, wine bars, boutiques, shopping malls, and souvenir shops can be found everywhere.
Returning to Italy never crossed our minds until we talked to our relatives in Milan. Italy for the second time? Why not? So we processed our Schengen Visa Application and started planning of things that we’re going to do Milan.
With Emirates Airlines, from NAIA, we landed at Malpensa Airport after almost 18 hours. Our layover was at Dubai Airport for 4 hours. We rode a bus going to Centrale Terminal where our relative, Kuya Mario is waiting for us. Fare from Malpensa Airport to Centrale Terminal is 8 euro per pax. We stayed in our relatives (Magnaye Family) place along Sesto San Giovanni.
We bought a Vodafone sim card price is 39.50 Euro at a nearby telecom store. I just filled up an application form then gave the photocopy of my passport. It comes with a month of unlimited call and text to the same network, a data package to keep us online, and also a five hours IDD calls to the Philippines.
GETTING AROUND MILAN
We purchase an ATM (Azenda Transporti Milanes) Milan’s digital transportation card for us to go around Milan without the hassle of buying tickets daily. This travel card allows us to travel whenever we wish and as often as we wish during the card’s validity period.
The transportation system in Italy is always reliable. Metro transportation app is downloadable for passengers convenience. The app tells the time of arrival and departure of a specific bus or train.
Tram is one of the first means of transport of Milan.
With the help of our relatives and new acquaintances, we were able to explore Milan like a local.
CHURCHES/SACRED DESTINATIONS:
Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) is one of the largest churches in the world. The huge building is made of the brick face with Candoglia marble. This beautiful marble is a dazzling white, with a pinkish color. The cathedral has so many arches, spires, and statues that rise above, these make the sight even more breathtaking.
Free entrance inside the Duomo but with limited access. There is an entrance fee if you want to access the Duomo Roof and the Treasury of Crypt.
Basilica of San’t Ambrogio is one of the most ancient churches in Milan. One of the most interesting sights in the Basilica of St. Ambrose is San’t Ambrogio himself! He is on display in the crypt, accompanied by St. Gervasius and St.Protasius. His skeleton together with the other two saints are glazed with a protective coating and dressed in full bishop’s clothing. Having attendeded the mass celebration here adds a meaningful experience to our journey.
At the basement of the basilica where San’t Ambrogio, St. Gervasius and St. Protasius tomb was located.
Santa Maria Delle Grazie is a church and Dominican convent in Milan. It houses the famous The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci.
SHOPPING DISTRICT/MALL- Shopping malls and boutiques are scattered here. I will just name a few, most visited and interesting malls.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy’s oldest shopping mall and a major landmark of Milan, Italy. One of its impressive features is an arching glass ceilings and iron cast roof. You’ll never miss visiting this Galleria as it is beside the Duomo di Milano.
The most famous brands in the World have stores in this Galleria including Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani to name a few.
City Life Shopping District is the largest Urban Commercial District in Italy situated in the heart of Milan. Fashion, accessories, cosmetics, health, items for the home and technology are just some of the categories.
Taking a break with espresso and gelato inside the City Life Shopping Mall with our companion during our tour.
Scalo di Milano is an open area shopping village with a wide range of choices. It offers a unique shopping experience with the best of fashion, food, and design. There are lots of items on sale here plus they still give extra discounts for the tourists. The Scalo visitor card is available at the customer service.
The Piazza Gae Aulenti has become one of the top attractions in Milan. This is another side of Milan or they called it the most modern part of Milan where tourists started to enjoy the view at night-time. There are beautiful fountains that lit up at night in the middle surrounded by high rise buildings.
The Uni Credit Tower is classified as one of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world. It is also the tallest building in Italy.
HISTORICAL PLACES, MONUMENTS, RESTAURANTS, ETC.
Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) this iconic red-brick castle houses specialized museums, which gather together intriguing fragments of Milan’s cultural and civic history, including Michelangelo’s final work, the Rondanini Pietà.
The castle’s fountain is one of the tourist attractions here. We visited the place in the evening when all the museums were already closed but the place is worth a visit. Perfect for an evening stroll in the park with the fine and cold weather.
Porta Sempione name “Porta Sempione” is used both to refer to the gate proper and to the surrounding district, a part of the Zone 1 division, including the major avenue of Corso Sempione. Wikipedia
Milan’s Bronze Bull Statue is one of the most interesting figures in the contemporary Italian art scene. It is on display outside in central Milan, depicts a bull upside-down that duplicates itself by reproducing its image on a reflecting map of Milan composed of overlapping continents.
Jollibee says: “Ciao Milano” as it opens its very first fast-food chain in Europe. We are lucky to have witnessed how Filipinos here missed our country. They waited at least two hours just to taste the fried chicken and spaghetti from back home.
Our Milan adventure was one of our most unforgettable travel experiences not only the places but also the people we met along the way.
Travel tips:
- Plan ahead (bring a copy of itinerary you submitted to the embassy).
- Be weather ready (always check the AccuWeather).
- If shopping is your purpose, skip the tourist area and explore the bargains.
- Take extra care of your belongings especially your travel documents.
- Memorize some basic Italian words like ciao, Buongiorno, grazie etc.
Travel period: March 11, 2018, for 15 day
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