Milan Christmas Markets & Villages to Get You in the Festive Mood!
Milan comes alive during the festive season with a plethora of Christmas markets and villages scattered throughout the city.
Milan comes alive during the festive season with a plethora of Christmas markets and villages scattered throughout the city.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go, and Milan is not left out! In fact, if you read my last blog on events in Milan, you would know that some Christmas Villages in Milan are now open. If you are visiting Milan this December, and you are wondering “Is Milan worth …
As the festive season approaches, the sweet aroma of Panettone fills the air, marking the arrival of Christmas in Milan and beyond.
It took me a year to obtain my driver’s licence because I had many projects ongoing while I was preparing for my theory test and practical exam. I took the exam in Italian and it may be helpful to know I have about a C1 level of Italian.
As we gradually transition into the festive season in Milan, I have put together a list of unmissable events happening this November in Milan that you may love to venture on solo, with your partner, group of friends, or even with your children! If visiting Milan this November, and you are wondering “Is Milan worth …
Milan, the cosmopolitan capital of Lombardy, Italy, is surrounded by a region steeped in history and culture. Lombardy itself is a treasure trove of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that reflect the rich tapestry of Italian heritage. From the heart of Milan to the picturesque landscapes of Lombardy, let’s embark on a journey to explore these …
10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Milan & Lombardy | Best Guide to Planning Your Visits Read More »
If you’ve ever wondered, “Does Milan have a flea market?” the answer is a resounding yes! Milan may be celebrated for its cutting-edge fashion and design, but beneath its stylish façade lies a thriving vintage and antique shopping scene. As an average vintage and antique enthusiast, I always find myself on the lookout for hidden …
Vintage Hunting in Milan Flea Markets – Clothings, Antiques & Rare Finds Read More »
As we gradually transition into autumn in Milan, I have put together a list of unmissable events happening in Milan that you may love to venture on alone, with your partner, group of friends, or even your little ones! Also, if visiting Milan this October, and you are wondering “Is Milan worth visiting in October?” …
Milan is a city with many influences from other Italian cities – both in the north and south of Italy. These street foods in Milan offer a diverse range of flavours and textures, allowing you to explore Milan’s culinary scene while enjoying convenient and delicious on-the-go options. Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets or taking …
I’ve found myself on a few occasions ordering a wrong digestive, thinking it is something else. Italian Digestives vary and it can become quite confusing to choose when you are asked “Che digestivo vorresti prendere?” What digestive do you want? If you have a sweet tooth or love it strong and bitter, I hope this …
Understanding Italian After Dinner Digestives: Limoncello & Liquors Read More »
Congratulations! You’re planning to take that big leap in your relationship and pop the question. Milan may not be the first city that comes to mind when thinking of romantic destinations, but trust me, it’s a hidden gem for couples in love. If you’ve ever wondered, “Where can I propose in Milan?” or if Milan …
Unlocking the Italian Tax Code: A Step-by-Step Guide Are you planning to live, work, or invest in Italy? Then, you’ll need to obtain your Codice Fiscale – the Italian tax code. This unique alphanumeric code is crucial for various financial and administrative transactions in Italy. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the process …
A Complete Guide to Getting a Codice Fiscale in Italy Fast Read More »
One of the culture shocks I’ve always wanted to write about is the nude sculptures in Italy. Coming from a culture where nudity is portrayed as private, my mouth was agape when I visited Florence for the first time.
Best places to shop local in Milan for authentic “Made in Italy” products, allowing you to immerse yourself in the essence of Italian excellence.
The best neighbourhoods to live in Milan, each offer a distinct experience. The vibrant and dynamic fashion capital of Italy, offers a diverse range of neighbourhoods, each with its own unique charm and character.
Watching the local Italian TV channels helped me a lot in picking up new Italian words, improving my vocabulary, and immersing myself in Italian culture.
Yes, you can travel to your home country with your ricevuta receipt from the post office, but you cannot travel to other Schengen Areas with a Permesso di Soggiorno receipt.
When you mention Italy, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘The Italian Food Culture’. Italians are well-known patriots for preserving their food culture, so it doesn’t get contaminated with ideas such as ‘adding pineapple on a pizza’ or ‘ordering a cappuccino after dinner at a traditional Italian restaurant’.
Thanks to its central location, lakes in Milan can be reached in as less as 20 minutes from Milan centre.
One of the pecks of living in Milan as a non-European citizen is the agreement between European Union countries to allow free movement of residents and even tourists within the Schengen Area without the need for a Visa.
To find the secret passage, search for Box 892, where you can still see the secret passage that connects the vault with an external safe.
Weekdays in Milan present an excellent opportunity to explore the city’s cultural treasures without the usual crowds.
Local communities come together to celebrate with live music, dance performances, street food vendors, and cultural activities that vary from region to region.
Experience the magic of cinema under the stars by attending outdoor film screenings in Milan.
Well-known Italian luxury brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Fendi, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, and Gucci – just to mention a few – are the epitomes of the fashion world.
My recommendations are places I have spent quality time at and enjoyed greatly living in Milan. I have listed these places in order of proximity to make it easy for you to navigate.
See my suggestions on how to spend 48 hours in Milan, I will from covering topics from places to see in Milan, to what to eat, and where to shop local.
There are different options for you, which depends largely on how many times you may need to use public transportation in Milan as a tourist or visitor.
At every bubbling corner of the city, you would find arrays of pubs and restaurants packed up with tourists and locals chatting over random topics.
If you have lived in Milano long enough, and most especially engaged in any sort of paperwork, you would be accustomed to the queue at the Post Office, Anagrafe and even the public hospitals.
Day by day I am getting drawn into the Italian way of life. As I write, I already practice two of these definitions I will be listing.
The first and most obvious benefit of a Permanent Stay Permit is the relief from the yearly gathering of documents and visits to the Questura. Say bye-bye to that!
Catch up a few popularly used Italian Phrases before your arrival in Italy.
Four things to consider when deciding are: weather, events, cost, and interests. So below is a guide to help you out in your decision process.
For non-EU citizens, the Permesso di Soggiorno is practically the only document you may have been told to request within 8 days of your arrival in Milan.
New in town? Get started with these Frequently Asked Questions about Milan and the answers to kick off your experience!
From traditional trattorias serving mouthwatering pasta dishes to trendy Michelin-starred restaurants pushing the boundaries of gastronomy, Milan caters to every palate.
Well, according to the crime and safety index rank by Numbeo, Milan ranks 155 out of 338 countries in 2018.
So once a Taxi driver approached me right from the exit, I just went with him without bargaining on the price, he would be using a metre and I read somewhere online it was about €70 anyways – so that’s just fine by me. Well, false information!
Day trips from Milan do not require a lot of time to plan. The regional train ticket prices remain fairly the same, except for fast trains like FrecciaRossa which gets more expensive closer to your travel date.
Rubbing the tip of your index finger against your cheek is a sign you enjoy what you are eating and I have often found myself doing that here in Italy.
I just love to walk the Duomo Square to hear the Christmas songs blasting over the speakers – especially the song “All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey.
The Permesso di Soggiorno per Attesa Occupazione also called “Atessa di Lavoro” gives a one-year grace period to new graduates, who are not Europeans, to search for a job.
For the “Despacito” kind of music lovers, this club is one of the best places to go dancing in Milan.
A perfect choice if you looking to escape Milan for a day to somewhere peaceful and with a beautiful view.
If you plan to throw a bachelorette or bachelor party in Milan outdoors with your friends, then you would find this very useful for planning.
Cornetto is often thought to be the same as a Croissant or Brioche. However this is false, the differences between a brioche, cornetto, and croissant are in the ingredients, their shapes, and their history.
Expired permesso di soggiorno can be a pain in the butt. It’s time to queue up again and carry on with the endless paperwork.
Permesso di Soggiorno is a paperwork most foreigners dread most in Italy, it is never done. The first frustration is the language, especially if you have no knowledge of Italian.
On Republic Day, the Italian President lays a wreath on the monument to the unknown soldier (from World War I), at the Monument to Vittorio Emmanuele II.
As regards to costs of items, Florence is quite on the same radar as Milan. But if you keep your eyes out for Trattorias and dig just a little more, you can score good deals that will help you save more on your trip!
With an open mind and bravery, you can travel solo in Milan and have fun while at it, no matter your reason for doing so. All it takes is adequate planning.
The ‘traditional Easter egg’ in Milan, Panettone can be found all year round at most pastry shops and supermarkets in Milan.
When I think about house hunting in Milan and the costs, I simply grip my heart in despair.
Even though the transportation system within the town is great, people who live on the outskirts of Milan and work in the city often have difficulties coming to town by public transportation.
People often walk up to me to ask, to compare your living experiences in Milan and Palermo. “Which do you prefer?”, they would ask.
Passito is an Italian word for wines made by the appassimento process – whereby grapes are partially dried on straw mats or pallets in airy rooms or barns in order to concentrate the grapes’ flavours and sweetness prior to vinification.
If you need to travel to another country other than your home (and within the Schengen Area), then you must request the Permesso di Soggiorno Provvisorio.
Some of the archaic practices were related to fortifying women with fertility. The women of Rome were subjected to go in the middle of the streets while young naked men, armed with bundles of branches tied with strings lash them.
I struggled to stay awake, mumbled a bit to some songs blasting from the radio, and even danced – on my seat. I caught myself nodding a couple of times as I drifted to sleep and then awake when a song I liked came on or he mentioned something to me.
It also gets so awkward when it feels like a man is walking on eggshells and trying so hard not to offend your race *facepalm*, or makes a comment like, “not to be racist.” “Can you just be yourself and not mind my race?” I mean just be a thoughtful human being.
After leaving her life behind in New York, Elizabeth Gilbert’s journey in Rome begins at the top of Castel Sant’Angelo. She tells an old Italian joke (via narration) whilst looking out over the city of Rome as the sun starts to set.
Unrestricted travel to and from European countries, with no quarantine requirement, will start on June 3rd. No official word yet on when restrictions will be lifted on flights to and from countries outside of Europe – but the external borders of the EU remain closed to non-essential travel until June 15 at the earliest. Don’t …
All You Need to Know If Travelling To or From Italy – Post COVID 19 Read More »
COVID-19 in Milan kept a lot of people at home and bored. Many people were tired of eating their own cooked meals and staying at home, so when the government eased the lockdown on May 4th, Navigli was full of people, nullifying the social distancing that is still in place and being enforced. The Italian …
COVID 19 in Milan, What are the Comprehensive New Rules for Dining Out? Read More »
January 10th 2020, my phoned buzzed. I stirred and cursed under my breath as I looked over at Alexa. It was only 2.13am. I scuffled across the bed to the dresser to see who was calling. I answered the call with a husky, “hello babe” into the receiver. “Have you been following the international news …
The city was quiet and still asleep. Few cars and people were on the road, also because it was a Sunday. The houses at the northern part of the city are built in similar clusters and modern – no anciently carved balconies or windows.
On arrival, it seemed there was a mini street food festival on the lakeside. There were little food trucks, playing loud and funky music with moving statues and clowns adding more life to the frenzy.
In Mondello, you would find luxurious villas and cute old houses dating back to 100 centuries or more.
While others were discussing seasickness, I was so certain I wouldn’t get seasick, I mean my dad is a Sailor and I was certain I had inherited his genes.
Families were here and there and the city was bustling with life.
Today there are more than thirty bridges that unite the two banks of the Tiber River. You can sail under many of them with a Rome River Cruise.
Happy Valentine’s day! – in two weeks. Is that really a thing here in Italy? What’s she talking about? Well, it’s Valentine’s month so allow me to ramble a bit on this topic – I’m curious. Thinking back to the two Valentines I’ve spent here, I don’t remember any frenzy as compared to back at home. Do …
Trust me, I am not here to complain much, I’ve had the best times here regardless of the stories I will be sharing with you in a moment.
Let me officially say to my readers, Happy New Year! If you follow my social media pages, you would probably notice a lot has been going on with me. I recently graduated, and my mind has been running on so many things all at once. The reality of job hunting is so surreal, trying to juggle between …
What to do in Milan for the Rest of January 2019 Read More »
Chill, it’s a really hilarious and heart-touching story, grab your popcorn and enjoy. Of course, I didn’t die. I live to tell the story.
The cold days are finally here. Many would be interested in how to keep warm and still have a good time, especially if you are a tourist. Best to recommend during this period will no doubt be indoor events and activities. Therefore, I would recommend visiting the Museums in Milan. FYI, some museums in Milan …
Goodbye summer! I am not sure what season I should be inviting you to because Autumn starts on September 23 and summer officially ended on the 31st of August in Milan. My recommendations are coming later than usual, but it’s better late than never. Where you at the Formula1 Milan Festival that held earlier this …
The Ferragosto Month of August is finally here! While I am excited because of the holiday that comes along with it, I have been dealt with pretty badly by the heat. There is that saying that you can’t have it all right? Alot of places and events will be on shutdown in Milan. This is …
Free Museums in Milan refers to the tradition of opening public museums for free every first Sunday of each month.
Two things that make July unique are the many concerts and fruits. I have been eating a lot of fruits lately and making homemade smoothies. Do like a Milanese and enjoy summer vegetables all through July. Forest berries, wild blueberries, apricots, and melons are in bloom. You can survive the summer heat with fresh juices …
Local Habits & Events to Indulge in Milan this July Read More »
Some people, like me, are stuck in Milan due to work and will only have the chance to get away during the Ferragosto holiday or weekend. Our only respite right now is in tons of gelato and cold baths.
As spring is finally paving the way for summer, there are more outdoor activities you can engage without the worry of catching a cold. I will forever be a strong advocate of the warmer months because I get to finally eat gelato and also for the fact that I get to wander the city in …
What to do in Milan for June 2018: Personal Recommendations for an Enjoyable Month Read More »
After days of deliberating what angle to take on my experience at the recently concluded Milan Fashion Week A/W edition, I decided to tell it exactly how I experienced it. The runway show opened with a dreamy song pouring over the speakers. I felt the goosebumps rise and I was immediately taken to lalaland. I fixated …
Milan Fashion Week AW 2018 | Charming Chanel Joan Elkayam Collection Read More »
Racial discrimination is a very touchy topic many Africans would not dare to thread.
An event that has the ambition to make public and private subjects dialogue on the themes of the enhancement of Sicilian food and the promotion of the territory.
Cefalù is a coastal city in northern Sicily, Italy well known for its beautiful beach.
If you are a lover of the countryside and serenity, you would love Travo. This little town, nestled up against the hills in the Emilia Romagna region is one and a half hour drive away from Milan.
Other things I love most asides the beach are also the long line of ceramic display in shops while walking through the city centre and the Arancina. The ceramics are hand painted and made in form of dishes, cups, and other several beautiful crafts.
Milano Carnival starts after the Italian Carnival ends. It is typically called “Carnevale Ambrosiano”. Usually, in Milan there is a day parade and a night party in Piazza Duomo. The Carnival holds every year in March, with a whirlwind of beautiful costumes worn by both adults and children. The sweetest aroma of chiacchiere and tortelli fills the …
After my four days in Paris, I don’t know if I can still confidently argue I have basic knowledge of the language. The indigenes speak with a lovely, yet strong accent that makes ‘Comment ça va?’ totally not understandable.
Twenty-three hours later, I was standing by the baggage carousel at Milan Malpensa Airport. I could hardly recognize my bag when it wheeled past me. The only thing holding it together was a transparent plastic bag.