Il Momento Dolce In Milano!

Ciao!  Bonjorno! 

Rome is one of the places that I have a desire to visit perhaps, one day, but Milan is the ‘introduction’ city of Italy that I always have a high expectation at all times!  I can bounce on Rome given that I can be in Milan.

Milan, the capital of Lombardy region is the second largest city in Italy.  With two million inhabitants, this city is the training ground for the two reputable football teams, AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano.  Familiar?

Piazza Duomo.  
Piazza means 'square' and Duomo means 'cathedral'.
This is the most important symbol of Milan!

Piazza Duomo has a huge square and this is 
the center of all activities during weekends.
This is where you can come across with people doing
what they feel like doing ... Like this ..

... or this ...

The history of Milan is bursting with performing arts and it started from 222 BC.  Until today, Milan is still the heart of the opera and musical theatre of the world.  The art panorama in Milan is remarkable and it has a variety of quality galleries and museums excessively. 

Konon!  We joined the crowd - trying to appreciate modern art
organized by the Civica Galleria d'Arte Moderna

'Milano Ai Bersaglieri' (means Milan Riflemen)
Oh boy!  I don't really understand arts but ...
I can tell you this is the ugliest work of art
 I have seen in Milan! 

Cadorna Station, the famous train station, also one of the landmarks.
I understand that this place is well known for its
arts - but is 'vandalism' part of it?  I am a little curious here! 

Milan is an easy city to get around.  This city is compact, convenient and actually within walking distance from one district to another! 

The bus and tram networks are excellent, though!
But taxi can be a 'damaging' way to travel ... :)
From Malpensa Airport to Starhotel Ritz that took us about
one hour costs us €100 per way!

Certainly, English is widely spoken here and the Italian word pronunciations are exactly as written.  Therefore, if you refer to the little Lonely Planet phrase-book, there should not be any misunderstanding... :)

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
The most luxurious, well-designed and stunning gallery in Milan.
Built in 1870, this gallery is also known as 'Salatto DI Milano'
(means The Milan's Lounge)

Also known as 'Street Under The Glass'

And ... also known as 'The Living Room In Milan'.
It houses approximately 30 exclusive branded stores

Piazza della Scala.
This is the location of the famous Theatre La Scala,
a 'sanctuary' to opera music.  Built in 1700s

Castello Sforzesco.
This castle tower reminds me of 'Rapunzel' - Geeeez! Europe
really made me slip back to fairy tales time and again!

While strolling Milan, we accidentally discovered
Giardino della Guastella,
city's oldest Italian style garden maintained for 500 years ago

Being the city of performing arts, Milan is where world most popular artists and designers were born.  I am sure some of you must have grown up being familiar with names like Leonardo DA Vinci, Toscani and Mozart.  Today, most major Italian fashion brands such as Valentino Garavani, Donatela & Gianni Versace,  Miuccia Prada and two of our favorite designers – Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana are certainly from this place ...  Hoyea!

What aspired us to visit Milan, actually?  Frankly, there are two things that had brought us to this place of warm and friendly people: FASHION and FOOD!

Amazingly, these two things (fashion and food) are in fact ethnically ‘characterized’ or defined by Italian customs and their unconditionally ‘asset’ in their everyday life.

Milan has always been my ‘definitive’ city to keep an eye on fashion and style.  Personally, I think Milan is not really an incredible place as a tourist city, as opposed to other fashion cities that I had the opportunities to visit – New York City, London and Paris where the famous boutiques are prominent and easy to locate.  Milan is proud of its local brands.  I find it more exclusive though, as its local boutiques will only make few stunning limited designs for their customers!  

As a result, Milan is no doubt the most influential city
of fashion and design because of its people! 

Fashion, Style & Arts

Italians are known as stylish people who take huge self-
respects and responsibilities in their looks!

Their philosophy - 'Fashion means more than just stylish clothes, fashion means attitude, fashion is the significance of appearances'.  Italians may judge you pessimistically if you do not 'pay enough attention' on your appearance.  That's how they adore fashion, dude!

Here are few common 'no-no' about styles in Milan .....

This is how Italians park their vehicles ... anywhere and anyhow they are pleased!

Worthy of note ... I was told that there are 'almost' no rules on the roads, but it has very strict rules in fashion and food!

So, when you are here ........ he he!

1.  Unless you jog, sneakers are not to be worn to restaurants!

2.  Do not wear very short skirts as Italians find it not 
'classy' or elegant.  Furthermore, this may send
wrong message to men!
3.  Shorts are not for adults.  Not even for a casual wear!  
Shorts are meant for sports!  

Well, well ... it does make sense that fashion and style are not something that can be totally 'ignored', isn't it?

Milan is divided into two districts:   

Via Alessandro Manzoni.
One of the main chic fashion streets.

Where you can find everything Armani ... warrgh!

Still in the upscale fashion district …

This is Pinacoteca di Brera,
distinguished as the 'Luxury Bohemian'
This place really took me back to Paris with its artists
and open-air restaurants 

This is Navigli Grande.
Built in 1100, the most charming place in Milan with the old
typical houses and antique shops!

I had noticed a row of exquisite ancient buildings,
a rarity these days ....
It's like an open-air architectural museum!

Okay, now let's move to an important district in Milan...

This is the 'Corso Buenos Aires'
(Nope! Not in Argentina hehe!)

This 1.2km long street is used to be called 'Corso Loreto'
has over 350 shopping outlets.  It's a shopping paradise, peeps!

Corso Buenos Aires is the location of the most important
shopping street in Milan.
The architecture of this area is from the 18th century.

This area used to sell traditional Milanese products, but today, it had been ‘transformed’ into modern fashion outlets.

Indeed, this is – I repeat – this is the place that you will shop till you drop!!  Therefore, I would say that you wouldn’t want weeks, a few days are just nice.  'Prevention' is definitely better than cure ... ha-ha!

Food, Cuisine & Etiquette

Culturally, Italians have a very high regard and value of family ties.  It is customary for everyone in the family, including the extended family who do not stay together to make an effort to have dinner together for every single day!

By observing the way they served their meals, I realized that Italians do not need any particular reason to set a 'well-dressed' table.  Even the dining tables are in style!  To make it more intriguing, Italians are very specific on which food and drinks are appropriate for which times of the day!  Another common rule in Milan!

During lunch or dinner, never ask for soda - only mineral water ... or wine unless you are having pizza.  No butter should be served to spread on your bread, huh!  And the most important no-no is bread should not be eaten with pasta!

Latte and cappuccino are for breakfast only.  If you need coffee after dinner or lunch ask for an espresso, okay!  More! Italian salad dressing is the only oil and vinegar - no such thing as ranch or Thousand Islands! The additional vital rule is never used as a knife when eating pasta and lasagna - as though the pasta or lasagne is hard until you have to use a knife ... :)  

Anyway, those rules are not mandatory for tourists to follow.  It's not that you cannot be who you are ... Go ahead ... and ask for what you wish ... but they will serve with a big beam!  Bam!

A must try!  Grom ice cream parlor is everywhere!
This is an ancient Italian frozen dessert made of milk, cream and sugar.
History has it that this ice cream was originated from ancient Rome.
It was made from ice and snow that was brought
down from the mountains and preserved below ground!
How fascinating! 

Woooih!  Come on ... two more slices to go  ... 
With only cheese and tomato sauce, Uncle Sabbatini 
made 'probably the best pizza in Milan' - he he! 
My better half said, "This is the most 'honest' pizza I have ever had!"

Italians show respect for one another’s pride by holding on to their way of life and as a traveler, I never find it hard to put up with them.  In fact, I find it really gratifying that we learn the culture and traditions of others.   That's the beauty of wisdom. That’s makes life dazzles with values and indeed exhilarating  …   I truly believe!