SydneySteve

There appears to be divided opinion over the relative merits of visiting Milan over other alternative cities in Italy.

We are seeking to build an itinerary through Europe where there is a low level of shopping content but thought Milan might be the place to do the shopping. Any views on shopping in Milan would be greatly appreciated ? Also maybe a visit to La Scala would lift the profile of Milan in our itinerary ?

HowardR

Though I think LaScala is still closed for restoration, there are merits to Milan. Is it worth going to? That depends on what the alternatives are.
Worthwhile in Milan:
*The duomo (one of the world's greatest)
*Peck's Market
*Several museums
*The Last Supper
Yes, the shopping is good in Milan.

RAR

Shopping is better in Verona.

PJK

I was in Verona this past summer expecting to shop well. It is a great place, and certainly worthy of a visit, but I wanted to post to encourage you to ask the previous post to verify/expand on the shopping there. I talked to a couple of amiable people who were locals, and then I finally went to the tourist bureau and showed someone who spoke English the write-up in Frommer's. She simply shook her head and said she had no idea why anyone would choose Verona as a shopping destination. I was particularly interested in leather.

The duomo is worth a stop in Milan. I can't speak for the shopping there. PJK
I can't go back to proof this, by the way. Is anyone else having that trouble when you have tried to post?

kr

The duomo (one of the world's greatest

I agree here great to see but the rest of Milan reminds me of the Bronx, I would skip it. Been to Milan many times I personally thinks it is one of the worst cities in Italy. Igo there yearly to meet friends you can find the same shopping in Rome no bargains at Prada and Gucci

JonJon

Well, since Milan is responsible for building the first "enclosed shopping mall" of a sort I suppose they do know about shopping there..but you haven'r said what particular types of items you are looking for. It might also be helpful to know what alternative cities you are thinking of. In finality it all depends on what sorts of experiences you are looking for...you can gaze at the Duomo in Milan or at the paint drying in Tuscany..merits to both I suppose. And if you are looking for "bargains" you'd better hurry up because the dollar is getting weaker and weaker.

HowardR

"....the rest of Milan reminds me of the Bronx."
"....you can gaze at the Duomo in Milan or at the paint drying in Tuscany..merits to both I suppose."

Certainly, to each his own. Still, how does one respond to comments like those?

RAR

Milan can be reminiscent of NYC, it depends of course on where you are in Milan.

As far as Verona shopping .. I went there with a friend of mine, and she practically was in heaven. Not that I cared much about the shopping, but she dragged me around for a couple hours going from shop to shop. Italians who live up north really like Verona for shopping. The prices are lower than in Milan, and the shops are all very very nice.

sheila

25 years ago I spent a lot of time mooching round Milan, waiting for my then employer to leave meetings.
It's not a tourist city like Rome or Florence or Venice; much of the architecture is 18th or 19th century and not the earlier renaissance, (or even earlier than that) stuff you get in Tuscany or elsewhere.

But I like it fine. The main "sights" have been mentioned and I would add the Brera Acadmey as another art museum to be seen. It has real neighbourhoods and real people. And GREAT shopping.

subcon

milan, like naples (tho for vastly different reasons), is an aquired travel taste. for most it is merely an entry/exit point (malpensa) for a more extended trip to northern italy's lake distric, verona and venice.

unlike the big three (rome/florence/venice), it is not a living museum per se, but a vibrant economic center with the ambience attendant on a functioning major city. but unlike turin or modena, it's not all business.

there is vastly more to milan than the duomo, the galleria or la ultima cena. while the historic center is fairly compact, there are several points of interest scattered about. the brera museum may not compete with the uffizi, but it has a fine collection. the overall brera neighborhood is loaded with intriquing little shops and small, trendy restaurants.

the piazza surrounding the duomo which includes the galleria (a people watchers paradise) also has other attractions. anywhere within a short walk from this hub one can find some of the best dining in italy.

while i certainly wouldn't suggest milan in favor of the big three, it does have its merits if one is willing to give it a try.

HowardR

Well said, subcon!

SydneySteve

I havent been to Milan for 20 years but what impressed me then was that you could find great fashion shops and produce better than I found in Rome. It seemed that because there was less of a tourism orientation to business many things were more efficient and reasonably priced. Presumably all the good shopping is still in the same areas. Thanks again.

lyb

I was in Milan this summer for about 4 -5 hours and I so wanted to stay longer. For some reason, there was something about the city that made me want to explore it more. It's different than the rest of Italy and there was a certain mystery about it. The only thing that seemed bad was all the graffiti, how sad that some people feel it's okay to ruin the city with their markings...to me graffiti makers are like dogs, they need to leave their mark everywhere.

Anyway, I think only you can decide if you like Milan or not, therefore, I think you need to go for at least one day.

RAR

Grafitti is a part of the Italian culture. Hell we even use an Italian word in our own language to describe it.

lyb

Graffiti is part of the Italian culture? Interesting....our tour director who was born and raised in Italy didn't seem to know about this part of the culture...someone should tell her.

By the way, we have graffiti here in the States too, but I certainly wouldn't say it's part of our culture, it's part of A culture all right, but not exactly a classy one.

Tulips

In my opinion, Milan has by far the best shopping of all Italian cities I visited. It has a totally different feel than, for example Rome, Florence. It is THE fashion capital of Italy. I have been there about 5 times, just for short shopping trips.

RAR

Having lived in Italy, I notice that you see grafitti everywhere, in every city, on almost every unmarked wall. If that doesn't make it a part of their culture, then what does. Perhaps be a lil less condescending next time you go into a subject you aren't too well versed on.

tommy

Graffiti has been a part of Italy forever - it was found on the walls of Pompeii. Yes - someone SHOULD tell your tour guide.

I loved the shopping in Milan. The concentration of luxury shops on via Montenapoleone is great even if you don't buy. One also must visit 10 Corso Como. Also there is a great flea market in the Brera neighborhood on the third sunday of the month.

CoachBoy

1. While shopping at name brand boutiques (ie Prada, Gucci), the prices are the same in virtually every city. Tods shoes cost the same in Milan, Verona, Venice etc...

2. Milan has a better selection than other cities. They also have some discount stores where you can pick up real bargains. Haven't been, but apparently there are a bunch of outlet malls outside of Milan. These are real bargains if they're anything like those outside of Florence.

3. Peck is the greatest food store in the world. Makes Dean&Deluca seem like Safeway.

4. Milan has excellent restaurants and an untouristy vibe, which I enjoy after being in tourist meccas like Florence and Venice. Often, I'll go a day without hearing English spoken. It's not beautiful, however.

As you can tell, I really like it. I find the lack of touristy attractions a relief - I don't feel guilty just hanging out or shopping.

Coachboy

lyb

Well, according to some people on this board, graffiti is also part of the USA culture, because it's all over the trashiest parts of towns...wow, I feel so uncultured...I've never done it!

Let's just say that I was not a "lil" condescending, I was a "little" surprised that someone would say that it's part of a culture when someone who is almost 50 years old and was born and lived in Italy all of her life says that it is something that has grown like crazy in the last decade.