Shopping

Whatever is happening on Sundays in Duomo?

Posted in Milan, Shopping on January 24th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

Sundays are dead days in Milan… Or, at least that is the usual suspect for the city. Especially, if you are living in the more residential areas of the city -in the upper or lower skirts, where you have only a park, an Esselunga (supermarket) and lots of apartments- there really is only a complicated mix of silence, serenity and boredom.

However, the more touristic center of the town will almost always have something to offer…

Like this one time, when I had an out-of-town visitor, and took her to Duomo on a Sunday. It was around noon and Duomo was already packed, although not with people, but with hundreds of red ferraris. Apparently, it was a ferrari show day, like an exhibition; and all ferrari owners in Milan had come to Duomo to showcase their car. It was not only interesting to see so many ferraris line up together in front of the cathedral, but it was also equally fun to watch Italians interact with each other as they parked and moved their cars. One car slid past a barrier and got a little mark on its rear part and the owner got rightfully enraged. However, the actual irony of the ferrari showcase was happening in front of the cathedral. As the ferraris continued to line up through Piazza Duomo, a Tibetian monk in his red suit was climbing the stairs to the entrance of the cathedral. A very ironic scene that could have been captured by Robin Sharma’s book “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.”

Nowadays, a collaborative partnership between Alfa Romeo MITO, Sicom and Virgin Radio has developed a “ROCK’n MUSIC PLANET” exhibition in Duomo square -a huge tent that has all necessary props and design elements to deliver the story of rock’n'roll. Among the many articles exhibited, most significant ones include the guitar of Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, George Harrison, musical scripts of Jim Morrison and John Lennon, the harmonica of Bob Dylan, the songs of Elvis Presley, Beatles, Rolling Stone, Miles Davis, David Bowie, showcases of Woodstock and Live Aid. The exhibition started in October, and is expected to continue until mid-March.

Temporary shops are another mark of Duomo. Every now and then, there will appear a tent or a new front look in one of the stores around the Piazza. And, the residents and the visitors would understand that somebody is setting up his temporary store for the month. Temporary stores usually mean new events, parties, music and cocktails that will liven up the otherwise serene Sundays.

Even where there is no exhibition, event or showcase, the streets leading out from Duomo to Cairoli or to San Babila offer the possibility to window shop or take a rest in a cafe and a sip a glass of Italian wine. For the exquisite resting cafes, jump onto my next article.

Becoming Italian in a day in Milan

Posted in Milan, Shopping on December 25th, 2008 by admin – 1 Comment
The following is a set of attractions to enjoy if you have only a day in Milan and if you are desperate to shop…

From where ever you may be staying, take the metro to Duomo. However touristic it may be, the area is a good starting and central point for all other attractions.

Once you are at Duomo, you should go inside the Cathedral. Neither the inside of the Cathedral nor its exteriors are as outstanding as Sagrada Familia, but inside and in fact the downstairs of Duomo are both worth a visit. Downstairs, that is under the gound level, is the remainings of a basillica that used to stand in the same spot as the Duomo. Most of what has remained was destroyed when the red metro line was being built. In fact once you are down there, you can actually see the entry to the metro through a glass pane. The destruction of something so historical was in fact debated when the red metro line was first deemed of, however it was concluded that access to this central place Duomo was more important.

Leaving the cathedral, take a walk towards the only department store of Milan, the Rinascente. Do not go inside yet, you should turn left into the narrow street right beside this mall to discover a small snack bar called Panzerotti Luini. Order yourself a panzerotto al pomodoro e mozarella (hot baked sandwich with mozerala and tomato) for breakfast and seize the moment of delight as mozarella melts in your mouth. Now, you may, if you want to wander around the shops of the Duomo area and stroll slowly towards the world famous Montenapoleone street where all the designer shops are located. Stop at the salumeria located only 100 meters across from the Gucci store for a little respite or lunch. Here you may enjoy a plate of assorted cheese and salams with a glass of prosecco, hmmm, mamma mia!.

The afternoon can be spent around Corso Buenos Aires (Porta Venezia with the red metro line). Here are different sets of shops and also a small stock house that sells outdated designer clothes. The stockhouse is called Vestistock and is located on Via Ramazzini 11.
Finish you shopping adventure at Hotel Diana Majestic on Viale Piave with an aperetivo. This is an elegant apertivo place, which is all the more enjoyable in the summer as it opens into a beautiful garden. Remember to enjoy a glass of fine Italian wine -which will become reminiscent of your fine experiences of the entire day.

For dinner Trattoria Milanese, La Bricciola or Torre di Pisa are all recommended as they are authentic Italian trattorias. All of them are close to the region of Brera, which is another beautiful region to see in Milan. Somewhere between cosy and trendy, Brera offers a tranquil form of entertainment that one cannot find in the busy touristic arena of Duomo.

At night, wander off onto Corso Como, do some bar hopping along the street, before you hit off to Eleven or Hollywood.