Italy Food & Drinks Lombardia How to reach usMilan Survival Guide

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In the guide you can find some useful information about world's capital of fashion, which isMilanand its region, Lombardia.We recommend you to read these pages carefully before starting your trip and if something is not clear don’t hesitate to write us,we'll be happy to answer!!!milan@best.eu.org

Italy is a country located on the Italian Peninsula (the so called Boot, guess why?) in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea,

Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern, Alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within the Italian Peninsula, and Campione d’Italia, exclave in Switzerland.

Italy has been the home of many European cultures, such as the Etruscans and the Romans, and later on it was the birthplace of the University, the Renaissance

that began in Tuscany and spread all over Europe, Vitruvian Man, modern science and astronomy, heliocentrism and Opera.

Italy’s capital, Rome, was for centuries the centre of Western civilization. Italy possessed a colonial empire from the second half of the nineteenth century to the

mid‐twentieth century.

Today, Italy is a democratic republic and a developed country with the eight highest quality‐of‐life index rating in the world. It is a founding member of what is now the European Union, having signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957, and it is a

founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It is a member of the G8, having the world’s seventh‐largest nominal GDP, and is also a member state of the Organisation for Economic Co‐opera6on and Devel‐opment (OECD), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Council of Europe,

the Western European Union, and the Central European Initiative.

Italy is a Schengen state. It has the world’s eighth‐largest defence budget and shares NATO’s nuclear

weapons.

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Information

Capital:Rome,eventhoughthefinancecapitalisnodoubtMilan

Officiallanguage:Italian(orgestures:youwillfindout!) Currency: Euros (€)

Area: 301,23 sq km

Highest point: Mont Blanc (4807 m)

Government : Parlamentary Republic

Time zone: CET (UTC+1)‐ summer: CEST(UTC+2)

Self Knowledge :The Ambrosian Library in Milan holds scripts and books of an

unestimatedvalueandsomeofthemaremadeofhumanskin!!

The climate in Italy is highly diverse and can be far from the stereotypical Mediterranean climate depending on the location.

Most of the inland northern areas of Italy, for example Turin, Milan and Bologna,haveacontinentalclimateolenclassifiedashumidsubtropical.

The coastal areas of Liguria and most of the peninsulasouthofFlorencegenerallyfittheMediterraneanstereotype.

The coastal areas of the peninsula can be very different from the interior higher altitudes and valleys, particularly during the winter months when

the higher altitudes tend to be cold, wet, and often snowy.

The coastal regions have mild winters and warm and generally dry summers, although lowland valleys can be quite hot in summer.

Other information Weather

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You will probably have heard about our typical and world‐wide‐known coffees, ice‐ creams, pizza and pasta.

But apart from this (which of course you also have to taste at least once you are here, you'll love all of them), Italy has lots of varied gastronomy.

Let's introduce you a little bit more with its culinary vocabulary:

Caffè

Risotto

Piadina

Pizza

Pasta

Focaccia

Panzerotto

Arancino

Gelato

Pannacotta

Tiramisù

Do you know what an aperitivo is?

Can you list 10 typical Italian drinks?

Do you know what BEST Milan tradition is?

If you don’t...

...you’lldiscoversoonenough!Mayyourthirstbequenched!!

DrinksFood

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Sprawled between the Alps and the river Po's plains,Lombardy (Lombardia) has one of Italy's most varied landscapes.

Industrious cities, medieval hill towns and lakeside resorts are interspersed withpowderedslopes,lemongroves,cropfields,

vineyards and rice paddies.

Butoneelementdefinesthisdiverseregion:style,in Milan's "Golden Quad" (Quadrilatero d'Oro).

Sparkling lakes are strung along the north of the regionlike a necklace and are the real jewels.

Yet despite the lakes' beauty, many areas remaine almost untouched by tourism. South of the main chain of lakes, history‐steeped cities include

medieval Bergamo, Roman Brescia; the age‐old violin‐making centre of Cremona;

and the Renaissance city of Mantua (Mantova).

FreshlakefishgraceLombardy'stables,alongwith"risotto"and "polenta" from the plains; Alpine butter, cream and cheese; and celebratedwinessuchasdryValtellinaredsandfizzyFranciacorta,

produced using the same double‐fermentation method as Champagne.

Lombardy's capital, Milan, is the country's

Fashion and finance powerhouse, and it is the second largest metropolis after Rome.

The empires of Armani, Prada, Gucci and dozens of others reside inMilan's "Golden Quad" (Quadrilatero d'Oro).

CrisscrossingthecityareMilan'sfiveundergroundmetrolines,andanextensive network of buses and trams.

Milan'scatwalkflatterrain,however,makesiteasytocoverthecentre.Central Milan is a spiderweb of streets radiating from the city's

geographical and spiritual heart, the Duomo (Cathedral). Immediately north of the Duomo is the Quadrilatero d'Oro

(Golden Quad), Milan's designer shopping precinct.Northwestisthegentrified,formerbohemianquarterofBrera,with

narrow cobblestone streets, upmarket antique shops and alfresco cafés.

The city's more fashion nightlife is on and around Corso Como, further northwest. Northeast of the Duomo is the Stazione Centrale (Central

Train Station; though it's not quite as central its name suggests).To the Duomo's south lies the Navigli canal district.

West of the Duomo there is the Castello Sforzesco and Parco Sempione.

Info on Lombardy City of Milan

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You will face all the challenges that the fate lays down on your way to Milan, like traps, dragons, black knights, witches, dungeons and so on.

Only the brave ones will make it alive through the city. For the less prepared here are some hints, start to arrive in Italy so:

As the saying tells all roads lead to Rome, you are on the right track, the city of Milan is on the the way, just remember to stop in Milan not Rome.

The meeting point will be in the square in front of Lambrate Railway Sta‐tion (Stazione Lambrate), so called "Piazza Bottini".

Most of the buses from the 3 airports of Milano (Malpensa, Orio, Linate), and all the interna6onal trains arrive at Stazione Centrale; from there, you can take the metro (green line, direction: Cologno/Gessate) and get off at

Lambrate F.S. station

Reach the square and look for very nice and hotpeople with the BEST logo you've ever seen.

From Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport

From this airport you can reach the Central Railway Staton (Stazione Centrale) only bybus.

There are 2 bus companies leaving from the airport to Milano.You can take either the “Orio Shunle” which costs 10 € (one way),

for more info got to www.orioshuttle.com/_eng

The “Autostradale” for 5 € (one way), 9 € for more info www.airportbusexpress.it/init.aspx .

Check the timetable before buying the ticket. You can buy the ticket just outside the protected area

and also in the bus, it is the same price. The trip takes approximately one hour.

You’ll get off on one side of the station, just walk a bit following the side of the station and reach the metro. then take the green line (direction:

Cologno/Gessate) and get off at Lambrate F.S.

How to reach us by Plane

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From Malpensa Airport

By Bus: Taking the bus is the easiest way even if longer.You can take either the "Autostradale", which costs 10 € (one way)

or € 16 (round trip); or the "Malpensa Shuttle", which costs 10 € (one way) or 16 € (round trip). There are more than 3 buses every hour.

Here’swhatyouhavetodo:firstofallyouhavetoreachtheTerminal1, if you are at Terminal 2 there is a bus in front of the Arrival exit which

takes you to Terminal 1 for free. Ok,nowyouareattheTerminal1so,youcangotothearrivalfloorand

buy the ticket there, or you can even buy the tickets on board."Now that you have the ticket. where to go to?"

Go outside through the Exit n°6 and wait for your bus. The length of the trip is about 50'.

Jump down at the Central Railway Station, the last stop. Ok, you are at the Central Railway Station, go in front of it (see map

above) and stay there... we will be there.

By Train: When you arrive at the airport go to Terminal 1 if you're not already there. There is a bus in front of the Arrival exit which takes you

from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 for free.Now from Terminal 1, reach the railway station and take a train called

"Malpensa Express" towards “Milano Centrale”. The ticket of the train costs 10 € for one

way, best if bought before boarding the train and remember to stamp it before getting on the train. www.malpensaexpress.it/en

From Linate Airport

Fromhereitisveryeasy.Takeyourluggage,gotothearrivalfloorandlookfor“AgenziaStarflyLinate”.

Here, buy the tcket for the bus, 5 € (one way). GooutoftheairportandtaketheStarflybus,itrunsevery30’.

It does only two stops, get off at the second and last one: Central Railway Station (Stazione Centrale).

You can also take take the “ATM Air Bus Linate‐Centrale”, same price but only one stop: Central Station.

Now reach the meeting point in front of the station (see map) and wait for us :)

If you should reach Linate Airport from another point of the city, it is better to buy a single (1,50€) ticket of ATM (public transports) and

take the bus line 73 from San Babila (corner with Corso Europa).This map shows you where you will get off from the bus coming from any airport. From there, take the metro (green line, Cologno/Gessate direc‐

tion) and get off at Lambrate F.S. The meeting point is in Piazza Bottini, in front of the station.

by Plane by Plane

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If you come by train, it will be easier than the easiest choice. Most of the international trains that arrive in Milan arrive at the Central Railway

Station (Stazione Centrale), if not, then you will arrive in another Station (witty, isn’t it?).

There are several other stations in Milano (Garibaldi, Lambrate, Rogoredo, Porta Genova, Porta Vittoria...)

but all of them are connected by subway.Anyway, everywhere you get off, take the metro and look at the map: you have

to get off at Lambrate F.S.

If you come by car, the main points of entry to Italy are the Mont Blanc Tunnel from France to Chamonix, which connects with the A5 for Turin and Milan;

the Grand St Bernard tunnel from Switzerland, which also connects with the A5; the Gotthard tunnel from Switzerland;

the new Swiss Lötschberg Base Tunnel which connects with the century‐old Simplon tunnel into Italy;

and the Brenner pass from Austria, which connects the A22 to Bologna.

When travelling in Europe always carry proof of ownership of a private vehicle. Third party motor insurance is also a minimum requirement.

Ask your insurer for a European Accident Statement (EAS) form, which can simplify matters in case of an accident.

Anyway, if you have any doubt, trust Google Maps (maps.google.com)or simply ask us for advice XD.

If you have arrived into another train station, another point of Milan,or you have lost yourself into the city

let'stakethesubwaytogetStazioneCentrale!Whenyoufindthemetrosign(redwithawhiteM),godownstairsinthe

darkness and look for newspapers’.

It's time to buy the ticket, prepare 1.5 € in your hand ( better if you have changed money before) and say "Un biglietto (un bijeto)"

and give the coins to the man/lady. Otherwise, you can also buy the ticket in the vending machines,

if you don't want to test your Italian, yet.

Now check for the direction of the underground (you can see it even in the map below). You can take either the green (Linea 2, green sign with a white M) or the yellow (Linea 3, yellow sign with a white M) line, depend‐

ing on where you are and get off the train in Centrale F.S. station. Go upstairs outside the underground, in the sunlight

(or rain, or snow, or whatever) and look for the BEST crazy people in the big square in front of the station.

by Train or Car by Subway

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HEALTHCAREInsurance: If you are an EU citizen (or from Switzerland, Norway or Iceland), a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers you for most medical care

in public hospitals free of charge, but not for emergency repatriation home or non emergencies. The card is available from health centres. Citizens from other

countriesshouldfindoutifthereisareciprocalarrangementforfreemedicalcarebetween their country and Italy.

POLICEForeignerpoliceoffice:Phone+390262261Address:ViaMontebello26

Police station address: Via Fatebenefratelli 11

EMERGENCYAmbulance: 118 Police: 113 Firemen: 115 General: 112

LUGGAGE STORAGEStazioneCentrale:Servicefeesare€5,00forthefirst5hours,€0,70/hourfrom

the 6th to the 12th hour, and € 0,30 for every additional hour.

CURRENCY EXCANGEWe recommend you to change your money at home before leaving, it’s more

convenient.Howevertherearecurrency‐exchangeofficesatbothairportsandacouple on the western side of Piazza del Duomo:

•American Express, Via Larga 4, Monday to Friday, 9am ‐ 5.30pm •Banca Cesare Ponti, Piazza del Duomo, 19 a 24 hour automatic banknote‐exchange machine •Banca Commerciale Italiana, Piazza della Scala, it has a 24 hour currency‐exchange machine

CENTRAL TOURIST OFFICEPhone +39 02 77404343

web: www.milanoinfotourist.comAddress: Piazza del Duomo 19a

Opening Hours: 8.15am‐1pm & 2‐6 pm Mon‐Sat; 9.00am‐1pm & 2‐5 pm Sun

SAMPLE PRICES

• AT PUB/BAR: Espresso: 1€ Cappuccino: 1,20 € (ifyoudrinkyourcoffeestanding,notatthetable!) Aperitivo: 6‐10 € Pint of beer: 3,50‐6 € Half pint: 2,50‐4€ Cocktail: 7‐10 € • TAKEAWAY: Panino/Piadina: 4 € Bottle of water: 1 € Coke: 2 € Ice‐cream: 2,50 €

Useful information Other usefull info

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THINGS TO BRING YOURSELFA complete list of things to bring will be available later. A couple of weeks before

the event, we will also tell you about the temperature and the weather. Besides that, bring the usual things...

• Health insurance• Identity card and/or passport (even if you don’t need passport it is always recom-mendable to bring both of them in case you lose one document)IMPORTANT: if you need a VISA make sure you tell it to the organizers as soon as you are selected, so we can prepare the invitation and send it to you on time• Most probably a sleeping bag• Party costumes that we will tell you in a while• A camera and a smile• Food and drinks for the international evening and... • Some presents for the very NICE orgaNICErs =)

More useful info

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Map

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Meet Point

www.atm.it | 800.80.81.81