This short break guide about Milan, Italy will help you to make the most of your trip. Lists of what's on in Milan and recommended hotels will save you time when planning your city break.
About Milan, Italy
Milan might just be the best mix of the old and new worlds on the planet. Around 400BC the city rose from the plains of Lombardy and was inhabited by the Celtic Insubres tribe until the Romans conquered the settlement and started transitioning it into an urban center. Milan has flourished as a center of culture, fashion and modernization ever since.
The city has many notable olden architectural features including the world renowned Duomo, the third largest church in the world and the breath taking Comune di Milano. Unfortunately for Milan, the war filled 20th century brought much of the city under fire, especially during World War II when Mussolini formed his movement in the heart of Milan. The city saw much bombing from the British and American armies a lost many of its most precious structures. However, since its big for the 2015 World Expo, Milan has seen another movement towards urbanization. It is considered one of the top business and financial centers of the world and its many new fangled buildings, including the Fiera Milano which is now the world's largest trade fair complex, seek to really hit the city's urban power home. Many notable architects are taking on projects so that by the time the World Expo rolls around, Milan's skyline will be brand new.
Milan is also considered one of the fashion capitols of the world. The word milliner is even taken from the cities name. The city has many famous fashion houses lining its streets and what is to be considered the world's oldest shopping mall, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
If you want to see some of the world's most ancient history and futuristic modernization all at once, Milan is the place to be.
What is on in Milan in 2008
Our mini-guide to what's on in Milan lists the top events in 2008 in a handy Milan Calendar format. If you take your short break in Milan, Italy when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to do in Milan.
January: Designer Sales in Milan - As Italian designers and their fashion houses prepare for the upcoming season, they hold blow out sales to get rid of the old and make room for the new. For any fashion lover, these designer sales are the perfect way to fill up a closer with designer pieces at preposterously low prices. The sales typically run from January through March at many of the stores up and down the Golden Triangle - Milan's fashion mecca that through streets Piazza della Scala, Via Montenapoleon, Via Sant' Andrea and Via della Spiga.
February: Moda In & Milan Fashion Week - The month of February sees some of the best in Milanese fashion. Midmonth brings out international displays of textiles and accessories at the FieraMilano at the Moda In. Moda's large exhibition of textile shows the world what the newest fabrics and colors will be for upcoming seasons. Coinciding with Moda In is Milan's Fashion Week. Fashion week in Milan continues to grow and each year the number of catwalks, celebrity and fashion bigshots increases significantly and traditional Milanese fashion houses like Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Armani take the cake as fashion week favorites season after season. Both exhibitions are also held again in September. Hours and tickets vary to the time and event specifications.
March: Hobby Show - Twice a year the DatchForum holds an annual Hobby Show that is dedicated to arts and crafts. There are a wide range of exhibitors that show new ideas and trends in the world of arts and crafts. There are also stalls from top hobby companies, institutions and shops that hold labs and workshops that seek to guide craft lovers. There is even a craft corner to foster creativity in children that come to the Hobby Show. The Hobby Show is held on various dates each March from 10:00am - 7:00pm at the DatchForum. The cost is 8EUR to enter.
April: MiArt - MiArt is Milan's international modern art fair that is hosted annually by the Fieramilanocity. It is broken down into three sectors: Preview, Modern and Contemporary and it attracts hundreds of exhibitors and tens of thousands of modern art lovers. There are also meetings with curators and museum directors, video installments, photography displays and more along with the avant-garde works of art. MiArt is held annually at the beginning of each April from 12:00pm through 9:00pm for several days. The cost is 15EUR to enter and 10EUR for concessions.
May: World Press Photo Exhibition - The World Press Photo Exhibition is one of the most influential photography competitions the world over. Thousands of competitors seek to win a spot in the esteemed World Press Photo Yearbook, a fantastic publication that provides a look at the world through only the best of the best press photos. This exhibit is held at the Galleria Carla Sozzani and is open to the public Monday 3:30 - 7:30; Tuesday and Friday 10:30 - 7:30 and Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 am - 9:00pm; hours for the exhibit coincide with the Galleria hours.
June: Cornetto Free Music Festival - This huge music festival features three free outdoor concerts that are played by the biggest international artists in the world at some of the most famous squares in all of Italy; Milan's Piazza Duomo, Rome's Piazza del Popolo and Naples' Piazza del Popolo. International headliners liners like Sting and the Black Eyed Peas perform.
July: Architecture Festival - From May to July each year the Palazzo della Triennale opens up for its annual Architecture Fest, the perfect touch to a city continually modernizing its skyline. Exhibits, meetings, conventions and project ideas over flow as architects and the public swap ideas for their beloved city. Hours and fees vary.
August: Festival Latino Americando - Tens of thousands converge on the DatchForum to celebrate the spicy spirit of Latin America. This outdoor fest recreates a makeshift South American village that houses internationally recognized artists, musicians, performers, crafts, foods, films and folkore. The cost and hours vary to the event.
September: La Nivola e il Santo Chiodo - The world's largest Gothic church, the Milan cathedral, showcases its most treasured position to the public - a nail from the cross of Christ. A large cross is hung in the cathedral and the holy relic is displayed in its full glory. And once a year the archbishop of Milan floats towards the nail in a small basket to symbolize the ascension into heaven. Upon the peak of his ride, he retrieves the nail and comes back down to earth. However, do not be surprised that it doesn't look much like a nail anymore. Constantine decided to melt the cross into riding apparel to protect himself and his beloved horse and the Christ nail still remains in horse bit form. Please see the Duomo website for more details.
October: Celtic New Year - Since Milan has Celtic tradition at its very first roots, the annual Celtic New Year celebration in October is quite a sight to behold. The Castello Sforzesco hosts the free event and is transformed into an ancient Celtic stomping ground complete with traditional dance, music, storytelling and battle reenactments.
November: Short Formats, International Dance Festival - Each November the Palazzo della Triennale is filled with dancers, choreographers and attendees from countries like Italy, Holland, England, Greece, Japan, Brazil and Columbia. Nearly 20 international companies offer spectacular programs and visitors can participate in free workshops and other events.
December: New Year at Alcatraz - Everybody who is anybody in Milan comes to Alcatraz, the city's premier music venue, for its annual New Year's party. DJs spin favorite party tunes from the likes of pop and disco while attendees slip on their dancing shoes and party the night away. The price is 67.10EUR with one drink included and the event is open from 10:00pm until the wee hours of the morning.
Recommended Milan Hotels
Hotel review website TripAdvisor allows travelers to thoroughly assess Milan hotels that they have visited. The unbiased evaluations really help to find the best hotels and avoid the worst. The top 10 Milan hotels recommended by review are:
1. Park Hyatt Milan
2. Hotel Spadari al Duomo
3. Lancaster Hotel
4. Hotel Principe Di Savoia
5. Starhotels Anderson
6. Berna Hotel
7. Hotel Raffaello
8. Starhotels Business Palace
9. Grand Hotel Verdi
10. Enterprise Hotel
Milan Hotels
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