Milan
International guide
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ilan international guide
This guide to Milan is designed for Movers planning on spending months maybe even years - living in the city. If you are only coming here for a couple of days to sightsee or hang out at the main tourist spots, then a traditional guidebook might be better suited to your needs. In this guide you’ll find information about living Milan and some special offers we have reserved for you. Maybe you’ve just arrived and you feel lost in an unknown place, but don’t worry: you’ll soon have a place to stay and lots of friends. In the next few pages you’ll find out about some of the most important issues for a Mover in Milan. There’s stuff like how to find accom-
modation, open a bank account, move around the city, a special mobile offer for Movers only, the best nightlife spots, universities, events, how to spend your free time, where to go out for an aperitivo, study Italian or just chill out. Also, you’ll find the most common expressions and habits of the locals, what they always talk about at the bars and their favorite places. You will find out that Milan is much more than the Duomo and La Scala and hopefully, very soon, you will feel a little bit Milanese yourself. We hope you find this guide useful! We are also working on a website dedicated to Movers all around the world. Check out www.YouthMoving.com if you like to join our international community and help us grow. Live the world. Be a Mover! -The Youth Moving Team
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Editors: Alessandro Epis alessandro@youthmoving.com Dario Ciniselli dario@youthmoving.com Advertising sales manager: Giorgio Grande giorgio@youthmoving.com Art director: Dario Ciniselli Marta Grasso Translations: Alessandra Haggarty Riccardo Lenoci Freya Flockhart Cover design: Alfonso Coppola All rights reserved by Youth Moving Srl
About the City Things to do in Milan Movers Experiences Transport Practical Info Universities Academies City Zones Accommodation Aperitivo Restaurants Cafes Pubs Clubs and Discos Language Schools Art and Culture Milan Slang About Us
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Photo Credits: Manfredi Cirlinaci, Dario Ciniselli, Giorgio Grande, Alessandro Epis, Piero Tagliapietra, roa006. nobbiwan, Oscar F Bodini, Eva Rinaldi, Lea Bogdan, sfer, Obliot, Saicachorro, Ita140188, Mike Cassano, Stefano Stabile, Giuseppe A Mosca, kanaglia, Ambrosiana pictures, Claudio Riccio, RossoGialloBianco, marcospiga, ccrrii, FromTheNorth, LucaChp, Nicola since 1972, zio Paolino, Achille4000, renagrisa, macilic, damianoide, GiovanniBianco, oh_food, ACME Squares, Luigi Manzo, Dana Robinson, jlastras, Michele Travierso, ACME Squares, luiginter, JMVerco, Marrabbio2, Slowgun, Friedrichstrasse, Stamen Design
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About the City
P
eople from other parts of I taly often think of
Milan as a foggy city poPeople from other parts of the world probably have heard of it because of fashion , design , opera , football or inter national fairs . B ut M ilan is much more than this . N obody who hasn ’ t lived here for a while can fully understand its charm . pulated by businessmen and snobs .
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HISTORY Milan was founded around 590 BC by the Insubres, a Celtic people, and was captured by the Romans in 222 BC. It was the capital of the Roman Empire from 286 till 402 AD. Here in 313 AD Constantine with the Edict of Milan guaranteed freedom of religion for Christians. Milan became a prosperous center of trade during the High Middle Ages and played a major role in the Lombard League. Later, it became the capital of the Duchy of Milan, which was ruled by the Visconti, the Sforza, the Spanish and the Austrians. In 1796 it was conquered by Napoleon’s French troops, only to be given away again to the Austrian Empire during the
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BRIEF
Congress of Vienna of 1815. In 1859, the city was eventually annexed to the new Kingdom of Italy and led its industrialization process. During World War II Milan was terribly affected by Allied bombings and after German occupation in 1943, it became the main center of the Italian resistance movement. In the post-war years Milan enjoyed a prolonged economic boom attracting large flows of immigrants from Southern Italy. During the last decades the city has become more and more international, turning into a gateway to Italy for people from all around the world.
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HE CITY Milan is a modern and lively metropolis. It may not have the same historical magnificence as some other cities in Italy like Venice, Rome or Florence but it still has a lot to offer. it is a thriving cosmopolitan city, where you get the feel of a bustling, busy, fashionable business capital. This is the place in Italy where the latest trends and innovations are created, where the heart of Italy’s business is, and where the future is more important than the past. People here say that the beauty in Milan is hidden and it requires some effort to be found. In the following pages you will find some useful tips about the best zones and places, but anyway do try to explore the city on your own or maybe with the help of some locals.
T
HE LIFE The relentless lifestyle here
is unique in Italy, combining hard work and good fun, which allows for even the busiest businessman to enjoy the endless possibilities Milan has to offer in the areas of culture, shopping, football, opera, and nightlife.
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Things to do in Milan
F
ASHION WEEK In Milan it comes around twice a year: in September-October (autumn/winter collection), and in February-March (spring/summer collection). During these weeks lots of famous stylists and top models literally invade the city in order to attend fashion shows, fairs and events. If you’re a fashion student or you work in the fashion industry then you don’t want to miss this because it’s the chance to experience one of the most important fashion events worldwide. Maybe you’re a shopping addict and you can fill your wardrobe with all the latest fashion trends doing some shopping at the fashion capital of Europe...or then again, maybe you’re just a Mover and all you want to do is go crazy and party hard with beautiful models in the coolest clubs in town.
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ALONE DEL MOBILE Every April in Milan there is a famous one-week international fair with interior designers from all around the world and you can enjoy art and design exhibitions all around the city. It is a unique chance to see some of the world’s finest international design creations. Though a lot of people couldn’t care less about it they still come to Milan because of all the parties taking place throughout the week for the so-called “Fuorisalone”. Here you will find hundreds of events, open bars, chic happy hours, exclusive DJ sets and clubs.
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Things to do in Milan
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OUTH MOVING EVENTS Youth
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OTTE BIANCA A
Moving is a brand new reality and you could be one of the first to join our exclusive parties. Maybe one day you will tell your kids about it! All joking aside, Youth Moving is going to organize different kinds of events in Europe, and in particular in Milan, such as international aperitivi, nights out at exclusive and popular clubs, theme parties and much more. We will try to make you live in the city as a real Milanese and at the same time we’ll give you the opportunity to know other Movers like you. Are you in?
couple of times a year in Milan, like in many other European capitals, the government center organizes a night with concerts and events around town where shops and museums stay open until late. Depending on the night, you may have the chance to go to a swimming pool late at night, enjoy a fashion show in the city centre, visit museums or galleries or even kick a penalty at the San Siro stadium. It could be a different way to enjoy one of your long Milanese nights!
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S
ANT’AMBROEUS Sant’Ambrogio
is the patron Saint of Milan and celebrations devoted to him take place on the 7th of December, and most people consider it to be the beginning of the winter holidays: many take the opportunity to get away from the city and enjoy a bit of quiet and some long awaited skiing. If you can’t or don’t want to take advantage of the holiday you can still enjoy some cool Milanese experiences: the traditional “Fiera degli oh Bej! Oh Bej!” which is said to have been established in 1510 and is held on the grounds of the Castello Sforzesco. or the huge “Fiera dell’Artigianato” held at Rho Fiera Milano with thousands of exhibitors from all over the world.
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AI DAYS Fondo
Ambiente Italiano is a nonprofit foundation that aims to promote a culture of respect for Italy’s art, nature, history and traditions. It also organizes some very interesting events where they open castles, villas, libraries and other historical sites which are usually closed to the public in order to raise awareness. They also sponsor days where there are free entrances to museums and galleries. Check out their website for more information.
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ERBY DELLA MADONNINA The
two football teams from Milan are AC Milan and FC Internazionale – for short called Milan and Inter – which face each other at the San Siro Stadium at least twice a year. For days, or even weeks before kick-off you can hear the locals talking about the derby anywhere and at any time: in the morning while having breakfast at the bar, at work, at lunch, on the bus, at night at the pub, and even after the match is over, there will also be days, or even weeks of tactical analysis and mocking of the losing team. The derby is indeed one of the most important events for the people of Milan and, if you have the chance, don’t miss out on the opportunity to watch it live at the stadium and experience the passion coming from eighty thousand fans supporting their teams with songs, chants and huge choreographies covering whole
sectors of the stadium. You might want to know that the seats at San Siro are divided into four different colours: green or blue behind the goals and red or orange along the sides of the field. The second green ring (Curva Nord) is home to the Inter ultras, while opposite stands the second blue ring (Curva Sud), where the Milan fans sit: you really wouldn’t want to go in one of these sectors wearing a scarf of the opposite team! The rest of the stadium is usually mixed, with more supporters of the team that is playing the match at home.
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Things to do in Milan
G
et on top of the Montagnetta This little hill has
been built over the ruins of the buildings bombed by the Allies during WWII as well as of the old city walls, and today is a park where lots of people go jogging or relaxing. It is only 45 meters high, but in a flat city like Milan it is enough to be called a little mountain and to offer a nice panoramic view over the city. You can get there by metro, QT8 station.
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PERA ALLA SCALA La Scala
is one of the most famous theatres in the world. Because of its prestige and perfect acoustics it is often referred to as the Opera Temple. Its season traditionally opens on the 7th of December, the feast of Milan’s patron. It offers opera, ballet and classical music. Although it’s premieres are social events for only the luckiest and wealthiest people, there are still many events for everyone throughout the season. It is also possible to buy an “under30 pass”, which grants discounts, guided tours, and more.
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E
ATING AT A LURIDO If you know what the word “lurido” means, you will probably change your idea about eating in these places... but actually it’s just a nickname given by Milanese youngsters to refer to every street vendor of sandwiches, hamburger and salamelle (Milanese for sausages). They’re open at night and the majority is full of people who are going back home from the disco and who think that eating something can be useful to low their drunkness. Usually you can put every sort of sauces and extras in it -such as cheese, bacon, eggplant, pepper - and it’s very tasty but quite heavy, so not always the best thing to eat before sleep!
Movers Experiences
M
anuela, 21, santander
My erasmus in Milan has been probably the best experience I’ve had in my life. Moving to a new country and meeting new people who will soon become your friends is awesome. Moreover, Milan has everything you can desire specially if you are Erasmus: lots of parties! Of course it’s not the only point: the food and aperitivos, the environment, the big monuments, places to relax, fashion and the great Milanese shops… PS. I liked it so much that I started a blog: demaletaenmaleta.blogspot.it
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ANJA, 26, ZAGREB Milan is
definitely not an easy city to live in but if you manage to survive all the rain, it gets much better. Try to make friends with some local people and they will show lots of great ‘Milanesi’ places and things to do. Also, Milan is a great base to explore the rest of Italy! Use your weekends and get on a train out of the city. In any case, you won’t be bored here!
Share your experience 14
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ILAR, 25, MARBELLA Erasmus
in Milan: best experience ever! I did it two years ago and I only can say that I’m still missing it every day. Doing Erasmus there was an amazing experience because I could really feel myself involved in Milan’s life. This city offers you heaps of things to do and a different plan every single day and night. Since Monday to Sunday you can go have a party in different clubs and meet lots of people. My party week usually started on Wednesday, after two days for getting ready for it. I used to go to Old Fashion,
an amazing place especially on summer because it has an enormous terrace where all the people can dance. My favourite night was on Thursday at “11clubroom” where you can hear music from every country. It’s one of the fanciest clubs but you can also go without heels. Friday night, despite the hangover, I often went to Alcatraz, a huge club with different lounges where you can hear rock or commercial house. Saturday night I loved to go to “Le banque” or to “Divina”, two cool discos. In all of these clubs getting drunk is the easiest thing at all: “long island” or “invisibile alla fragola” are the top drinks and you don’t need more than 2 to start to be happier... If you are still alive after all this, the best plan for Sunday could be go to le Colonne di San Lorenzo: totally relax having some beers or cocktails in a square with all your friends and with the famous Becksman, a man who sells beers on the street, sings and cheers up the whole square which is always almost full of happy and funny people even if it is snowing. I only can say to Milan: thank you for that awesome year. Ancora mi manchi! (I still missing you!)
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Transport
M
ilan is a big city and moving by car , especially in the rush hours , can be a really stressful experience .
most of them being provided by
Luckily, there are other ways to move around, Milan Transport Company (ATM).
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UBWAY The Milan Metro is the fastest way to move around the city. It is made up of four lines (MM1 red, MM2 green, MM3 yellow and the brand new MM5 purple), plus a rail link made up of 5 suburban lines covering more than 80 km. Other lines and stations are under construction and should be completed in the next few years. The Milan Metro works every day from 6 am till 00:30 am, and it’s usually very crowded during the rush hours.
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URFACE TRANSPORT In addition to the metro Milan has a good bus & tram network system serving both the urban and suburban areas. The metro is faster but the surface transport is comfortable and efficient especially for short distances.
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T
ICKETS AND FARES Tickets
can be purchased at ATM Points, ticket machines and authorized bars and newsstands. You need to validate your ticket at the machines on board. Be careful, you can’t purchase tickets on board, so you need to get it before you enter. You can choose between different tickets: • simple ticket: 1,50 € (valid for 90 minutes since validation - a single access to the metro) • carnet: 13,80 € (valid for 10 simple tickets) • day pass: 4,50 € (unlimited journeys for 24 hours since validation) • weekly 2x6 pass: 10 € (2 simple tickets for each day of the week from Monday to Sunday, for maximum 6 days) • evening ticket: 3.00 € (unlimited journeys from 8 pm until the end of service on the day of stamping). There are many other different tickets you can discover on ATM website (www.atm.it).
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RAVEL CARDS Travel Cards
allow you to travel whenever and as often as you want on the public transport system. They are electronic cards which cost 10 € and are valid for 4 years. You can purchase the electronic card at any ATM Point, online, or at any outlet located in the underground. You will need to bring a passport photograph, a valid ID and your Italian social security number (Codice Fiscale). Once you have your electronic card you can charge it at the ticket machines located in every underground station, at authorized outlets, at ATM Points, and at some cashpoints. You can choose different validity periods: • weekly : 11,30 € (from Monday to Sunday, valid for one week) • monthly: 35 € (one month from the 1st to the last day of the month for which the travel card was purchased) • annual: 330 € (valid for 12 consecutive months)
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iscounts for under 26
If you’re under 26 you can ask for a special electronic card which will grant you discounts on the monthly and annual Travel Cards: • monthly: 22 € • annual: 200 €
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Transport
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transport Since 2011 Milan is served by a night bus network which is active on the weekends (Friday and Saturday) from 0:30 am to 6 am. Fifteen bus lines allow passengers to move around the city when the daily transport is closed. Three of the lines replace the metro serving all the stations. The other lines follow the route of their daily counterparts. These are N6, N15, N24, N27, N42, N50, N54, N57, N72 and N94. In addition, N90 and N91 travel at night every day of the week including weekends. You can use night transport with only one ticket which you can buy from parking meters during the weekend. Travel Cards are also allowed.
B
ight
ike sharing Since 2008 Mi-
lan has a public bicycle transport system designed for short distances that’s called BikeMi. You can pick up a bike at one of more than 100 stations around the city and leave it at any other station. The service is fully automatized and works 24/7. To use BikeMi you need a subscription which can be purchased online at www.bikemi.com, at any ATM point, or for only daily and weekly subscriptions you can call (toll-free number 800 80 81 81) and use your credit card or use wap (wap.bikemi.it).
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T
AXI Taxis are a more comforta-
ble and expensive way to move around Milan. Base fares can vary depending on the hour and the day of the week. Weekdays from 6 am till 9 pm it is 3,20 €, Saturday, Sunday and holidays 5,20 €, while at night (from 9 pm till 6 am) it’s 6,20 €. The basic rates are 1,03 € per km and 26,86 € per hour. For the phone number of the main taxi companies in Milan check out page 22 of this guide.
The fares for the subscriptions are: • Annual: 36 € (25 € if you already have an ATM Travel Card) • Weekly: 6 € • Daily: 2,50 € With your subscription you can use a bike anytime you want for free, up to 30 minutes for each ride. After the first 30 minutes, a fare of 0,50 € for every 30 minutes is applied, for a maximum limit of 2 hours. After that it will cost you 2 € per hour. Note that exceeding the 2 hour maximum limit 3 times blocks the subscription.
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RIVING AROUND The traffic is
bad but not as much as other cities in Italy, due to the fact that Milan has a newer and mor efficient road network. Anyway sometimes circulation is very slow and traffic jams are usual - especially during rush hours, ATM strikes, and when it’s raining or snowing. When driving in the city, keep in mind that in the center there is a congestion charge named Area C. The fee is 5₏ and it applies to every vehicle entering the city center on weekdays from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. The acces is free only for hybrid or electric vehicles and scooters. As for the parking, it is free of charge on white lines, for a fee on blue lines and reserved on yellow lines.
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irports Milan is served by
three airports: Linate, Malpensa, and Orio. Linate is the closest to the city center, and you can reach it with ATM bus 73 or X73, for the price of a simple ticket. Malpensa is the second biggest airport in Italy and it is located in Varese province. You can reach it with a bus from Central station, or with a train From Cadorna station. Orio al Serio is located in Bergamo province, and it is famous for its great offer of low-cost flights. You can get there with a bus from Central station.
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AR SHARING In Milan there are
different companies which offer this new service where people rent cars on an as-needed basis, paying only for the duration of the trip. It is half way between a car rental and a taxi ride. Usually you can even enter Area C and park on blue lines without any additional costs.
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Practical Info
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Yet isooner or later you’ll probaBetween many Movers first concerns there ’ s that of getting some fundamental documents like the ones you ’ ll find mentioned below . T his chapter is meant to be a non - exhaustive vademecum to orientate yourself in the intricate and seemingly never - ending world of I talian bureaucracy .
P
his has to be the most boring part of the guide . bly have to deal with I talian bureaus anyway .
ERMESSO DI SOGGIORNO All
non-EU citizens must have a Visa for a stay of longer than three months (90 days). Then up to 8 days since your arrival, you must apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) that entitles you to temporarily live in Italy and is necessary for almost any other document you may need. First thing you need to do is head to a post office and pick up a “kit” that consists in two forms, once you have filled them in you will need to go to one of the Post Offices with a “Sportello Amico”. Along with it, you’ll need to have: • Your passport (with Visa if required) + a copy of all your passport pages • A € 16,00 revenue stamp (you can buy it at Tobacco shops) • Documents supporting your request for the type of residence permit you are applying for (i.e. copy of your certificate of enrolment from school/ university, of your employment contract, etc.) Youll’be asked to pay € 107,50 for the application and € 30,00 for the postage. Then you’ll be given a receipt you’ll need to keep as a proof of your application. When your application will be mailed and processed, you will receive a letter indicating when your appointment is to appear at the Questura (Police station).
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There, you must submit: • 4 passport-size photos • The letter you received • Your passport + 2 copies of your photo page + 2 copies of your Visa page • Two copies of the documents supporting your request for the type of residence permit you are applying for • The original receipt from the Post office + 2 copies At this point you will be fingerprinted and eventually you’ll receive a mail telling you when to return to pickup your Permesso di soggiorno. If you are already in Italy and your residence permit is close to its expiry date, you must apply for renewal at least: • 90 days before expiry date if your residence permit is valid for 2 years; • 60 days before expiry date if your residence permit is valid for 1 year; • 30 days before expiry date in all other cases. Keep in mind that the validity of your residence permit is the same as that indicated on your visa If you are EU citizen or planning to come to Italy for a period not exceeding 3 months you are not required to apply for a residence permit.
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ODICE FISCALE The Italian fiscal
code, officially known in Italy as Codice Fiscale, is much like the social security number in other countries and identifies a citizen in all dealings with the Italian Public Authorities and Administrations. You are going to need it if you want to get a job, open a bank account, have an Italian phone number, get a travel card and basically for everything that involves signing a contract. The Codice Fiscale is free and has to be requested at the Agenzia delle Entrate. There are six offices in Milan: • Via della Moscova 2 (tel. 02 63679.1) • Via Ugo Bassi 4 (tel. 02 69716.1) • Via Bistolfi 5 (tel. 02 21049.1) • Via Abetone 10 (tel. 02 54001.1) • Via dei Missaglia 97 (tel. 02 89307.1) • Piazza Stuparich 2 (tel. 02 33025.1) Opening hours for the offices are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 13:00; Tuesday, Thursday 9:00 15:30. However, you should probably call before going there as these hours can sometimes vary. Along with the request, citizens of EU countries must show a valid ID. Non-EU citizens need to bring a valid passport (with Visa if required). Thats should be enough if you are from one of the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China (only Hong Kong and Macao), Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Vatican, Venezuela.
For citizens from non-EU countries it can be a bit more complicated, because usually there is the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) required apart from the passport.
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EALTH SERVICE Subscription to the
SSN (Italian National Health Service) entitles you to: • the choice of a general doctor who can visit you free of charge and who will refer you to specialists; • free of charge admission to public or certified private hospital; • free of charge doctor on duty-continuous assistance service (Guardia Medica) If you already have an European Health Insurance Card you can access to SSN services without need to subscribe. You can just choose a general doctor at the ASL (Local Health Office) of your city area. Non-EU citizens, in order to register with the SSN must go to any post office, fill in a “bollettino postale” for the subscription to the SSN, and pay € 149,77 (students), € 219,49 (au pair), or based on your salary. Then you’ll need to submit to the ASL office: • your residence permit or the receipt • your codice fiscale • a copy of your passport • a document certifying your residence in Italy (i.e. your rental contract) • the receipt of the payment for the SSN subscription The insurance is valid one calendar year (January 1st - December 31st). Otherwise you can buy a private health insurance.
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Practical Info
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U
OLYDAYS
January 1st New Year’s Day
SEFUL NUMBERS
April 21st Easter Monday (2014)
EMERGENCY Ambulance: 118 Police: 113 Carabinieri: 112 Firemen: 115 Guardia di Finanza: 117 Road Assistance (ACI): 116 Pharmacy Helpline: 800.80.11.85
April 25th Liberation Day
COMUNE DI MILANO 02.02.02
May 1st Labour Day
TRANSPORT ATM: 800.80.81.81 Trenitalia: 89.20.21 Linate and Malpensa airport: 02.232323 Bergamo - Orio al Serio airport: 035.326323
January 6th Epiphany April 20th Easter (2014)
June 2nd National Day August 15th Assumption Day November 1st All Saints’ Day December 7th
St. Ambrose’s Day (Patron Saint of Milan)
December 8th Immaculate Conception Day
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December 25th
Christmas Day
December 26th
Saint Stephen’s Day
TAXI RadioTaxi: 02.69.69 Taxiblu: 02.40.40 AutoradioTaxi: 02.85.85
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Universities
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IL POLI
niversità degli Studi di Milano
Via Festa del Perdono 7 20122 Milano www.unimi.it
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Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 20133 Milano www.polimi.it
LA STATALE
U
LA CATTOLICA
niversità Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
Via Sarfatti 25 20136 Milano www.unibocconi.it
LA BOCCONI
ibera Università di Lingue e Comunicazione Via Carlo Bo 1 LO IUL 20143 Milano www.iulm.it
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LA BICOCCA
IL SAN RAFFAELE
niversità Carlo Cattaneo
Via Matteotti 22 21053 Castellanza (VA) www.liuc.it
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Largo Gemelli 1 20123 Milano www.unicattolica.it
niversità Vita-Salute San Raffaele
Via Olgettina 58 20132 Milano www.unisr.it
U
U
niversità Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
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U
olitecnico di Milano
U
niversità degli Studi di Milano Bicocca
LA
LIU
Piazza della Scienza 1 20126 Milano www.unimib.it
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Academies
I
stituto Europeo di Design
Via Sciesa 4 20135 Milano www.ied.it
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A
LO IED
LA
fp Bauer
Via Soderini 24 20146 Milano www.cfpbauer.it
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ccademia delle Belle Arti di Brera Via Brera 28 20121 - Milano www.accademiadibrera.milano.it
BA
UE
uova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano
Via Darwin 20 20143 Milano www.naba.it
BRERA
R
I
stituto Marangoni
Via Verri 4 20121 Milano www.istitutomarangoni.com
LA NABA LA MARANGONI
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ccademia Teatro alla Scala
Via Santa Marta 18 20123 Milano www.accademialascala.it
C
LA SCALA
onservatorio G. Verdi di Milano
Via Conservatorio 12 20122 Milano www.consmilano.it
IL NS ER V TO RIO A-
CO
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City Zones
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ARCO DELLA PACE In the mid-
dle of a quiet residential area and facing Parco Sempione on the opposite side of the Castle, there is this beautiful Arc built by Napoleon in the 19th century. In front of it you will spot a pedestrian zone full of trendy bars, famous for their aperitivo. The best season to enjoy the Arco della Pace is probably spring, when the area is most vibrant and you can enjoy a drink or a meal sitting outdoors.
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BRERA One of the most elegant
and picturesque districts of the city, its narrow streets are home to plenty of bars, restaurants and shops. Everything here is quite chic and high-class, but the district conserves some of the bohemian charme coming from having been the artists’ neighborhood of the city. Here you can also find the Pinacoteca di Brera, the Teatro Strehler and lots of fortune-tellers ready to read your palm.
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CENTRO The city center is an area dedicated mainly to shopping. The famous Quadrilatero della moda, starting from via Montenapoleone, hosts the most chic boutiques in the city. The whole area is full of shops, from the little craft workshop to the international megastore. You will find pretty much everything you may need and more, with a huge range of quality and price. Also, if you want to be a tourist for one day, this is where you have to come: the Duomo, the Castello Sforzesco, the Scala, the Galleria, the Museo del Novecento, Palazzo Reale and most of the famous ancient buildings in Milan are located in this area.
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City Zones
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CHINATOWN Just dropped your new smartphone and watched it smash into hundreds of pieces? Pick them up and bring them to one of the many electronic shops around via Paolo Sarpi to get them assembled as fast and cheap as it gets. Then, while you’re here you can take a look around at all the different shops and their huge selection of goods of any kind at very affordable prices. And of course, you can enjoy a cheap meal in a genuine Chinese restaurant where (sometimes) Italian is still considered a strange foreign language.
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CITTà STUDI The area surround-
ing the Politecnico and the scientific faculties of the Università degli Studi di Milano is known as Città Studi. Although it is quite far from the city centre, it is served very well by the public transport and has a metro station in Piazza Piola. Many Movers choose to live here because it is near to their university, rent is cheaper than in the city centre and there is a youthful atmosphere with many students and parties.
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COLONNE DI SAN LORENZO One of the most famous spots of Milan’s youth
movida. The square between these roman columns and the Basilica di San Lorenzo is the meeting point for a young crowd that populates the many bars around the area from the happy hour until late in the night. When the temperature allows it, people will often enjoy a low-cost take-away drink, or an improvised concert, a cheer for Becksman (you’ll get to know this Milan urban legend) and a chat with some fellow strangers, all of which sometimes causes protests from the residents because of all the late-night noise.
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corso como This area, just along-
side the Garibaldi Station, is the heart of Milan’s most fashionable nightlife. From happy hour until late at night plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs are ready to entertain the trendy crowd stepping in this pedestrian area. And all around it busy intersections, building constructions, and skyscrapers reveal the rest of one of the most modern districts in town.
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moscova Home to many offices and important italian companies the area is also a lively nightlife spot: in Via Solferino and Corso Garibaldi there are many restaurants and bars with luxurious happy hours. The prices are generally quite high, but near Largo La Foppa there’s a bar ran by a bunch of Chinese guys and an ice cream shop on the side of it, which sell cheap drinks and beer. If you’re more into culture you can go to the Cinema Anteo which with its art films and retro movies offers a different experience from other cinemas.
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navigli Originally a working-class residential district, the area surrounding the artifi-
cial rivers of Milan still conserves part of the atmosphere of the last century. Sure, the craft workshops have been replaced by lots of bars and restaurants and the residential quietness by a lively and sometimes noisy nightlife, making it one of the most popular spots in town for a night out. But if you want you can still find places with an an authentic atmosphere and picturesque corners. Many students choose to live here because the rents are not as high as in many other more central districts.
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City Zones
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porta romana It is south-east from the centre and not far from the Università degli Studi and the Università Bocconi. Probably it is not the most famous nightlife spot of the city but it’s still quite central and well connected, and there are many good bars and clubs nearby which are often crowded by both locals and Movers.
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porta venezia This square, with its historical gate in the middle, is today one of the busiest crossroads in Milan’s everyday life. On one side of it there’s the Indro Montanelli Garden and inside the Museum of Natural History and the Planetarium. On the other side there’s Corso Buenos Aires, a long busy street with lots of shops. its surroundings host many trendy, ethnic, or underground pubs restaurants and clubs.
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tortona For a few years now this area has been considered the district of design and creativity thanks to the many events and exhibitions that take place here throughout the year. Most of all, during the Salone del Mobile (usually in April), this area is a must see for designers, artists and for everyone that wants to live by the saying “I was there” and wants to attend every radical-chic event at any cost. If you just want relax and enjoy the many bars and pubs you can always come here a different time of the year.
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IS IN
If you contact AgenziaUni you can:
FIND information relative to rental offers REDUCE the time and difficulty of looking for accommodation ENTER into contact with other students to share a flat with GET assistance for the drawing up of the rental contract RECEIVE all the information necessary on the city and the university
AgenziaUni is an experimental project set up by the City of Milan – Department of Housing together with the universities of FREE Milan.
SERVICE
STUDENTS
is a service dedicated to university students, researchers and professors coming from other cities.
Accommodation
F
INDING A HOME One of the most
important things if you want to have a great experience abroad is good accommodation: remember that you are spending months here, it’s not just a holiday. So be patient and choose as carefully as you can. There are different kinds of accommodation in the city and your choice should reflect your tastes and your needs. In Milan rent is quite expensive and the words “cheap” and “nice place in the center” are hardly found in the same sentence. But don’t worry, after all you’re in Italy and miracles do happen. There are many ways to look for the home that best suits your needs. If you’re lucky enough you already have some friends in Milan that can help you out before and after your arrival. Or, if you’ve come to study or work, your university or company may have some place to offer you. Otherwise, the best solution is probably to stay in a hotel for a while so that you can look at
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different apartments, without having to take the first one you see just because you need a place to sleep for the night! For example, you might want to check that the place where you are going to live is well connected to the rest of the city (metro, surface transport, night bus, etc.), that the price is fair, also compared to other offers (be sure to ask if the utilities are included in the rent), that your room is big enough and if there are any amenities (for example air conditioning, washing machine, dishwasher and so on), that the flat is fully furnished and in good condition. Remember that if you choose to live in a shared flat, which is usually the cheapest solution, the right flat mates are equally important (if not more!) as the location, the price, the size and the condition of the apartment. Finding the right accommodation may take you some time and effort, but it’s definitely worth it!
HI HOSTEL MILAN PIERO ROTTA
Gogol’Ostello
Zebra hostel
Via Salmoiraghi, 1 Ph: 02 39267095 www.hostelmilan.org
Via privata Chieti, 1 Ph: 3470512612 www.gogolostello.com
Viale Regina Margherita, 9 Ph: 02 36705185 www.zebrahostel.it
The Hostel is near FieraMilano City, San Siro Stadium and a few metro stops from Rho-Fiera and Piazza Duomo. Private ensuite rooms with 2/3/4 beds and dormitory with 6 beds and shared bathrooms on the floor. Standard of quality and low prices are guaranteed by Hostelling International. Erasmus discount.
Gogol’Ostello & cafTè letterario is a space where travelers can meet people with ideas. You can find a beautiful cafeteria, a small garden, an art exhibition area and 5 rooms with 6, 4 and 2 beds. Its cultural program represents their main strength because they promote new artists, designers, writers and more!
Located in via Regina Margherita, this hostel was founded by a traveller for the travellers. The hostel is named, themed and decorated after the owner’s love for zebras. It offers dormitories from 21 Euros (12 bed mixed dorm) to 25 Euros (6 bed mixed dorm) per night.
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Aperitivo
w
hat’s an aperitivo? In Italy the aperitivo consists of some snacks – usually chips, peanuts or small squares of pizza – being served for free together with your pre-dinner drink. But in Milan it is much more than this: with the price of your drink you have access to an all-you-can-eat buffet where you can fill your plate with appetizers, pasta, pizza, rice, sandwiches, fruit and much more. our choice! It is one of the most famous and popular bars in Milan and it’s located iln the Sempione zone. The location is elegant with a very large lounge area, which can host as many as 280 people. In spring and summer the rooftop is opened. The aperitivo (10 Euros) offers different dishes every day cooked by a chef. Expert bartenders prepare a special selection of drinks, including molecular cocktails and gelatins. We suggest this spot to everyone who wants to have an unconventional aperitivo.
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M
The aperitivo - which usually lasts from 6pm to 9pm - can easily be a light dinner, but it makes a bad impression on the owners and other customers if you fill up your dish too many times with just one drink. A good tip to avoid this is to never remain at your table with your dish full and your glass empty, so if you are still hungry order another one.
ilano Via Procaccini, 37 Ph: 02 34930819 www.roialtogroup.it/milano
Spritz
Mood caffè
roialto
Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 9 Ph: 02 83390192 www.spritz-navigli.it
Via Andrea Solari, 2/a Ph: 02 4816121
Via P. della Francesca, 55 Ph: 02 34936616 www.roialtogroup.it
Located in Ripa di Porta Ticinese (Navigli zone), this bar was born only in 2008 but it has already become famous for its happy hour. It has a large buffet and a varied selection of cocktails in a chic setting, with their speciality being their many diverse versions of the famous “Spritz”.
In front of Parco Solari there’s a beautiful bar with fine food and drinking. The aperitivo is great, with a rich buffet of Italian cuisine which varies per day. Mood also serves good breakfast, meals, coffee and snacks, and it’s available for private parties.
Roialto is a bar famous for its interior design, with an elegant and intimate atmosphere. Its aperitivo is wonderful, with a huge choice of both very popular and unusual cocktails and wine along with several buffet islands, where each offers a different selection of Italian fine food. It is opened from Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm-2am and Sunday from brunch time.
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Aperitivo negroni
SBAGLIATO
1/3 gin 1/3 campari red 1/3 red vermouth ice and a slice of orange
1/3 prosecco 1/3 campari red 1/3 red vermouth ice and a slice of orange
It is the strongest happy hour cocktail, has a very bitter flavor and could take you some time to get used to, but once you do you will probably love it just as much as the locals. A variation of it is called Negroski and has vodka instead of gin.
americano
spritz
1/3 campari 1/3 red vermouth 1/3 soda water ice, lemon peel and a slice of orange
3/6 prosecco 2/6 aperol 1/6 soda water ice and a slice of orange and/or a green olive
Called “the American�, actually this cocktail was created in Milan in the 1930s with Italian ingredients. It is considered the first aperitivo cocktail ever, the father of Negroni, Sbagliato and Spritz.
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It is a lighter variation of Negroni, as instead of gin it has dry white sparkling wine (prosecco). It is easier to drink and has a more refreshing taste than its original counterpart, anyhow it still remains a bitter drink and it is hardly found in bars outside of Milan.
This popular drink was born in Venice and its refreshing taste has quickly made it very popular everywhere. Usually if you ask for a Spritz you will get an Aperol Spritz: this is the most famous Spritz, but if you want a little stronger one, you might ask for a Campari Spritz.
Restaurants
A
h, the Italian cuisine! Tradi-
tional Milanese dishes are a bit different than the ones from the South of Italy, the most typical of them being risotto, cotoletta and polenta. But in Milan there are people from everywhere in the world, and you can find everything you are looking for. From pizza napoletana to Japanese sushi, from African restaurants to Brazil-
our choice! Nerino 10 is a precious little restaurant in the historical center of Milan. Varied Menu that ranges from meat and fish, with typical dishes, hearty and edited with personal intuition of the Chef. The dishes are of high quality at affordable prices perfect for a dinner with your girlfriend or your family. The restaurant is closed Saturday and Sunday at lunch.
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n
ian churrascarias, from American burgers to Turkish kebabs. Also, the fish that arrives to Milan every morning and is often considered fresher than the one by the sea. The prices can vary greatly from one place to another: from a few to hundreds of euros. Here you will find some places where you can eat delicious food without spending your whole month’s salary.
erino 10 Via Nerino, 10 Ph: 02 39831019 - www.nerinodieci.it
pampas
rookie’s
qor
Via Sabatelli, 1 Ph: 334 8251506 www.pampas.it
Viale Gorizia 30 T. 02 833 90293 www.rookiesmilano.it
Via Elba, 30 Ph: 02 463091 www.qor.it
Located in Piazza Gramsci, it’s an exclusive brasilian restaurant located near arco della pace managed by a Brazilian chef couple. This restaurant offers different kinds of meat as well as some great exotic cocktails. Here you can taste some of the best churrasco in Milan. Bom apetite!
On the Darsena of the Navigli you can find Milan’s first American sports bar. The menu is original, serving classic American bar food: chicken wings with BBQ sauce, nachos with cheese and guacamole, sandwhiches with meatballs, ribs, burgers, potato skins and so on. Everything is freshly cooked and tasty and the kitchen is opened all day.
The Qor is a Japanese restaurant, based on the classics sushi, sashimi, maki but also carpaccios and Tartars. The strength of this restaurant is the atmosphere: elegant, pleased, modern, little Japanese but eclectic. It’s one of the most fashionable restaurant in Milan. It’s pretty expensive but is always full.
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Cafes
C
affè Cafes in Milan are often like a second home, or the house of a good friend, where you can eat, drink, read the newspaper, watch TV and chat with the owner and the other customers. The key is always the coffee, which in Italy is almost like a religion rather than a simple beverage. When you spend some time at the bar you will notice that everyone has his/her own personal habits our choice!
Bookshop, Art and Cafè. Gogol & Company is a cultural and social space open Tuesday to Sunday 8 am-10 pm where you are always welcomed to learn, share and discuss your interests and passions, or just relax, enjoy art exhibitions, read a good book or try out the premium natural food and drinks.
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there. Espresso, lungo, macchiato (caldo or freddo), cappuccino and marocchino are just some examples of the infinite ways coffee can be ordered. We would like to suggest a few bars where you can taste some of the greatest coffee in Milan and finally choose your favorite one.
ogol & company Via Savona, 101 Ph: 02 45470449 - www.gogolandcompany.com
caffecioccolata
Re fosco bar
la rossa
Piazza Bazzi, 2 Ph: 02 36697573 www.caffecioccolata.it
Via S.Calimero, 7 Ph: 02 36633079 refoscobarmilano@hotmail.it
Via Durando, 10 Ph: 3398345175
It’s a really great bar near parco Solari, where you can have an amazing breakfast in the morning but also a good aperitivo from 6 to 9 pm. We’re really passionate about this cafè because it’s where our project was born and developed, where we spent day after day planning, laughing and drinking with Manuel and Nicola the owners of this cool cornerbar. Come here to taste a lot of different kinds of hot chocolate and beers.
In the heart of Porta Romana, it’s only 30 sq.m. plus an outdoor area and yet nothing is missing…Starting with the breakfast with home made croissants and hot pancakes, on to lunch where the tartare reigns (fish or meat). And all day cakes, hot chocolates, creamy cappuccinos and smoothies. Until the aperitivo with wine and appetizers for a reasonable price, and dinner: from foie gras to cheeseburger!
A focal point for students of the university Politecnico di Bovisa, La Rossa has anything someone may want from breakfast through lunch and the aperitivo. Hamburgers are must haves as well as the Spritz. All this is in a great all year long atmosphere, topped off by a beautiful dehor.
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Pubs
p
ubbing A “pub” in Milan is where you can drink something at night, have a good time with your friends and meet new people, even if it doesn’t look like the traditional Irish or Scottish pub. Luckily, in Milan there are lots of places like this, often with a huge choice of good beer, cocktails and food, both local and international. The prices can vary a lot, depending on the zone, the quality, the our choice!
This typical english pub is located just a few steps away from Piazza del Duomo. Here you can watch any match scheduled during the day including Premier League, Serie A, Champions League, Europa League, Six Nations and all the international football and rugby. And from Monday to Friday 5-8pm the real happy hour in Milan: any pint of beer at €3,50 (on Monday till midnight). And if you’re hungry... at lunch & dinner you can have some of the finest Fassona and Angus burgers in town!
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glamour and many other factors, in some cases even the day of the week. Usually, the pubs in Milan also have aperitivo between 6 pm and 9 pm. Here you can find a list of some of our favorite pubs in town, with the best drinks, prices, happy hour and atmosphere
he football Via Valpetrosa, 5 Ph: 02 864464 - www.thefootballenglishpub.com
frog
birrificio lambrate
maga furla
Via Savona, 2 Ph: 339 8960039
Via Adelchi, 5 Ph: 02 4816121 www.birrificiolambrate.com
Via Cozzi, 50 Ph: 02 8905 9657
This bar is a “must” for people in the zone and for anyone interested in the specials they offer: on wednesday beer and cocktails are 3 Euros all night long, on friday all the international students after the first drink can have all shots for 1 Euro and on sunday beer is 3,50 Euros!
This is not only a typical pub but a microbrewery that produces the most typical Milanese beer. 17 kinds named in dialect after districts (Lambrate, Ortiga), focal points (Domm, Montestella) and typical expressions (Ghisa, meaning traffic policeman, or Ligera, the gangsters). Every day from Tuesday to Sunday lots of people come to taste them along with the pub’s food.
Located in via Cozzi 50 in Milan, in the Bicocca zone, Maga Furla offers every night new entertaining proposals. It is an alternative and easy going pub opened from the aperitivo (6.30 pm) to late night (2 am). It’s often full of students drinking beer or cocktails in a relaxed and friendly mood. You can also have a dinner of traditional cousine.
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Clubs & Discos
p
arty rocking in milan After
a long aperitivo, a good dinner or a few drinks at a pub, you’ll probably be ready to go home and get some sleep if you have to wake up early the next morning. Or you can choose to party on, as many other Movers do. Luckily, Milan has a large number of clubs. If you don’t know them all it may be hard to decide where to go. Keep in mind that the fun depends
our choice! This elegant and sophisticated club is located in corso Como. The interior and decor resembles a real living room with leather couches, retrò armchairs and animal print carpets. We are particulary passionate about this club because this is where we organized the legendary “First Youth Moving Event” and many other international unforgettable nights! The best night to go is definitely Thursday!
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on the place, the people and the day of the week. The area around Corso Como is where most clubs are located, but you probably don’t want to miss out on other great places just because you don’t know where they are. Here you will find a short list of some of the most lively clubs in the city
clubroom Via Alessio di Tocqueville, 11 Ph: 02 89281611 - www.11milano.it
alcatraz
dude club
old fashion
Via Valtellina, 25 Ph: 02 69016352 www.alcatrazmilano.it
Via Plezzo, 16 Ph: 02 45473602 www.dude-club.net
Viale Emilio Alemagna, 6 Ph: 02 8056231 www.oldfashion.it
Milan’s Alcatraz is a huge venue that hosts a variety of events. The space weighs in with 3000-square feet of elegant and modern décor that has been packed with locals and visitors every weekend since it opened. Alcatraz often hosts fashion shows, live music, DJ events, private parties and on-location filming for TV shows and movies, so any night could hold a myriad of surprises.
In the misty nights of Milan, hidden among the railways of Lambrate, a tinny sound comes out of a leftover of the industrial spread, and it’s not the noise of the riding trains, but the sound of the world’s best deejays throwing bombing sessions over the crowd in Dude club.Ben Klock, Nina Kraviz, Apparat, Marek Hemmann, Efdemin, most of the techno gurus have played here but there’s also a lot of musical experimentation and attention to the new talents.
Located close to the Sforzesco Castle and the Cadorna metro station (green and red lines). it’s one of the most famous and popular discos in Milan. Great in summer when the outside garden is opened.
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Language Schools
L
EARNING ITALIAN In Milan you can
probably get on just fine with only your knowledge of English. Not all of the locals speak it fluently, especially the older people, but with a little effort you can get to understand them and be understood. But, even if you can get on without it, are you sure you don’t want to learn the language that many recognize as “the most beautiful language in the world” now that you have the great opportunity to live here? If you want to know more about the Italian culture, go deeper into the city life, be more comfortable with the locals, understand what people say when they are
talking between them, study for an exam, look for a job, read books and newspapers…or maybe just to be cool in the eyes of your friends and family when you will be back, in Milan there are a lot of schools specialized in teaching the Italian language to foreign people. Look for the coupons in this guide and choose the one that best fits to your needs… You will soon find out that shouting “Mamma mia!” while shaking your hands up and down doesn’t mean properly speaking Italian!
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www.spaziolingua.it
Art & Culture
a
rt and culture in milan Ok you’re right, we said we wouldn’t tell you about touristic stuff but living in Milan you will be surrounded by art and culture and you will soon be aware that they are part of the Italian lifestyle and they affect people’s behavior. We have tried to make a mix of both famous and less known places and a selection from classic to contemporary art to give you an example of the wide array of cultural the city has to offer.
palazzo reale Piazza del Duomo, 12 Ph: 02 88465236 www.artpalazzoreale.it It has been the seat of government of Milan for many centuries. Heavily damaged by the Allied bombings during WWII, it has been restorated even if many neoclassical interiors got destroyed. Today it’s an important cultural centre and it hosts exhibitions of the most important artists, e.g., Picasso, Canova, Dalì and Monet.
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cenacolo vinciano
triennale di milano
museo del 900
Piazza S. Maria delle Grazie, 2 Ph: 02 92800360 www.cenacolovinciano.net
Viale Emilio Alemagna, 6 Ph: 02 724341 www.triennale.org
Via Marconi, 1 Ph: 02 88444061 www.museodelnovecento.org
Painted in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, “Il cenacolo” is the most famous representation of The Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. This painting has always had an aura of mystery and a lot of writers have formulated theories about hidden messages in the painting. For this reason, the only way to see it is to book a ticket in advance.
It’s an international cultural institution which organises exhibitions, conferences and events related to art, design, architecture, fashion and cinema. It is also a museum of Italian design, a laboratory of ideas, the Art Theatre (Teatro dell’Arte) and the Art Palace (Palazzo dell’Arte).
Located in the Palazzo dell’Arengario, it’s a public venue dedicated to the exhibition of 400 works of Milan’s collection of Twentieth-Century Art. It hosts paintings, drawings and sculptures of many famous artists like Balla, Boccioni, Braque, de Chirico, Fontana, Guttuso, Kandinskij, Klee, Manzoni, Matisse, Modigliani, Mondrian, Munari, Pelizza da Volpedo and Picasso.
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Art & Culture
pinacoteca di brera
gallerie d’italia
Museo della Scienza
Via Brera, 28 Ph: 02 72263264 www.brera.beniculturali.it
Piazza della Scala, 6 Ph: 800167619 www.gallerieditalia.com
Via S. Vittore, 21 Ph: 02 485551 www.museoscienza.org
It hosts one of the most important collections of paintings in Italy. The exhibition covers a wide period. Also thanks to various donations it has paintings from prehistoric times to the XX century by artists like Bramante, Mantegna, Tintoretto, Raffaello, Caravaggio, Van Dick, Rubens, Pelizza da Volpedo, Hayez, Picasso, Boccioni and Modigliani.
Gallerie d’Italia brings together the museum and cultural centres belonging to Intesa Sanpaolo bank nationwide. The bank’s historical buildings situated in the heart of Milan is transformed into an exhibition venues to make its most important collections accessible to the public. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 7.30pm (10.30pm on Thursdays) Entrance is free.
Founded in 1953, it is now the largest science and technology museum in Italy. In the Museum you can: Discover the most important collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s machine; Get on board the Enrico Toti submarine; Explore exhibition on transport, materials, energy and communication; Experiment the new frontiers of science and technology.
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Milan Slang In Italy there are lots of dialects: there are regional ones and there could even be two neighboring cities that speak two different dialects and could have a hard time understanding each other. In Milan there is a very typical accent, the dialect is going out of fashion and it is spoken mainly by grandparents. But, as in the majority of the cities, in Milan there are a lot of slang expressions used mostly amongst young people. Some of them are quite normal while some others are really weird. Here you can discover some of the most famous and common expressions between locals. Enjoy!
b
ella It is literally feminine for “beautiful”, but in Milan this word is not only used for girls. In fact, it is a common way young people use to greet each other and/ or to express agreement. So even if you are a male, don’t worry if when you meet an italian friend he shakes your hand saying “bella!”: he’s not trying to seduce you, he’s just saying hello (probably)!
c
azzeggiare
This expression means “wasting time in activities of little or no importance”. For example, “ho cazzeggiato tutto il pomeriggio su facebook” means “I wasted all afternoon on facebook”.
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D
i Brutto Literally “in
an ugly way”, means “very much”. For example “ieri mi sono divertito di brutto” (literally “yesterday I had fun in an ugly way”) means in fact “yesterday I had lots of fun”. It is considered sort of a street slang/zarro expression, so saying for example “ti amo di brutto” shall not be considered the most romantic way of saying “I love you a lot”. Other common slang expressions for saying “very much” in Milan are “a nastro” (“as tape”), “a manetta” (“as throttle”), “a bestia” (“as beast”).
I
n bocca al lupo
Italians are very superstitious. For example, openly wishing someone “buona fortuna” (“good luck”) is actually thought to bring them bad luck so don’t do it. In order to overcome this, a few strange expressions have been created. The most common is “in bocca al lupo”, literally meaning “in the mouth of the wolf”. So if somebody tells you, for example, “in bocca al lupo per il tuo esame” (“in the mouth of the wolf for your exam”), he’s wishing you good luck for your exam and, for the scaramanzia to work out, you have to answer “crepi!” (“may he die!”). We know it sounds like nonsense, but this is how these things work everywhere in Italy.
r
l
imonare Literally, “to
lemon”, it refers to the act of french-kissing (aka kissing with the tongue). Therefore, a “limone” (“lemon”) is a french kiss.
P
aura Literally “fear”, is commonly used by Milan youngsters as an adjective to express enthusiasm for something. For example “stasera c’è un concerto paura” doesn’t mean that tonight there is a satanic concert, but an awesome one. Sometimes you can also use “da paura” or “pauroso” (“frightening”).
iprendersi Literally it means something like
“to take yourself back”. It means the process of recovering the health of body and/or mind after a hard situation, like a shock, an injury or maybe just several drinks or a crazy night out. A variation of this term, with exactly the same meaning, is “ripigliarsi”.
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Milan Slang
S
batti Short for “sbattimento”, it refers to anything that prevents a Milanese from enjoying life lightheartedly, and also defines the very condition of uneasiness that it causes. Hence the most common expression of displeasure in Milan, which you’ll hear every time something stresses, worries or scares a local: “che sbatti!!!”
z
arro A “zarro” is a person, or the
stereotype of a class of people, mainly from the suburbs or out of town, that tend to be loud and straightforward. “Zarri” are normally seen by other people as gross, harassing and ignorant. The term can also be used as an adjective for things that relate to the zarro lifestyle, such as pimpedout cars and scooters, some dance or techno songs, certain clothes etc. Other common terms to refer to a zarro are “tamarro”, “truzzo” and “tabbozzo”. A “zarro” is a person, or the stereotype of a class of people, mainly from the suburbs or out of town, that tend to be loud and straightforward. “Zarri” are normally seen by other people as gross, harassing and ignorant. The term can also be used as an adjective for things that relate to the zarro lifestyle, such as pimped-out cars and scooters, some dance or techno songs, certain clothes etc. Other common terms to refer to a zarro are “tamarro”, “truzzo” and “tabbozzo”.
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t
roba Literally means “lots of stuff” and, much like “paura”, it is used to express enthusiasm for something. An example would be “quel film è tanta roba” (literally “that movie is lots of stuff”), which actually means “that movie rocks!”
z
anta
io Literally “uncle”, is a slang word to address somebody, pretty much like “mate” in english. Originally used by the zarri (see “Zarro”), this expression has now spread amongst many young people of all kinds. If somebody calls you his uncle, it means he’s relating to you in the most informal possible way, like if you have been friends for a long time. A lot of people use it every other word: the risk is to say “zio” to your girlfriend or to your brother or sister. It could be kind of awkward
About Us The Youth Moving project is the idea of three Italian guys. We have had different experiences abroad, such as Erasmus and Leonardo da Vinci programme and we have even spent some of our time abroad learning another language and working. After this, we realised that awesome experiences like these could be improved with some useful services. In particular, the original idea is the one of a social network which could help people share their experiences, rate cities and transport, talk about universities and jobs, find a good place to stay, get to know other people, learn and teach languages and last but not least give advice on their city or just go out for a drink. While working on the idea of a social network we have realised that we could have done more so we created the Youth Moving International Guides, now available for Milan and Florence, but we are planning to publish other guides for other cities both in Italy and in the rest of Europe. Our aim is to help integration between
people and countries, creating both a virtual and a real life connection through the web services (YouthMoving.com) our presence on the most important social networks, our International Guides and our events. We like to use the word “Movers” to refer to all the people who live or have lived abroad, people like us. And as the trend of going abroad has grown more and more over the years we love to call this new generation of Movers the “Youth Moving” and that is why we chose this name. Youth Moving is a young and dynamic project, based on people. If you are a Mover and you would like to collaborate with us or just to know more about it you can contact us: Mail: hi@youthmoving.com Facebook page: Youth Moving Facebook user: YouthMoving Erasmus Twitter: @YouthMoving YouTube: Youth Moving
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www.YouthMoving.com As you’re reading these lines, it should be already a few weeks since www.YouthMoving.com is online in it’s not-beta-anymore version. Though there still are many things that can be added or improved, we finally feel we have succeeded to build something both cool and useful. It hasn’t been easy: we failed many times, got scammed and tricked, had to change it all over and over againg, but we never gave up and in the end we made it. So go on www.youthmoving.com with your PC, tablet or smartphone and register through facebook or e-mail. To be able to center the social network right around you, you’ll have to add a few details but it won’t take more than a minute. Probably the most important thing is the city where you live: you’ll get constant updates about what’s going on there, and when you’re logged in the homepage of the city will always be your home too. We have thousands of cities in our database, but if yours is missing, contact us and we’ll add it. Once you’re logged in, you can read all the info other Movers have shared about the city: we’ve tried to make it easier to find what’s more interesting for you by categorizing them in what we feel are the most important issues for Movers around the world. And don’t forget to write your own post, it can be very important to the other Movers who will visit the city! You can write your opinion about a spe-
cific thing, or how you felt the first days you arrived, or how has your experience been over a longer period of time. You can give suggestions about the best places to go and things to do, or just socialize with outher Movers like you. You can even ask something and hopefully someone of the community will help you! Or you can posts your ad about jobs and accommodation. YouthMoving.com is an open website and every Mover is welcome!
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M IL AN O Vi +39a Proc 02 acci 349 ni, 308 37 19
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3 Zones (p. 27) Accommodation (p. 34) Aperitivo (p. 37) Restaurants (p. 42)
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Cafes (p. 44) Pubs (p. 46) Clubs and Discos (p. 48) Language Schools (p. 50) Art and Culture (p. 52) Gyms (p. 59)
2D-3D ARTIST WEB SITE
Live Milan. Be a Mover!
lucano1894.com
Live freely. Drink responsibly.
The spirit of your nightlife in Milan.
Amaro Lucano is perfect for your nights out in Milan. At happy hours, with dinner or after dinner, with or without ice, add the Italian touch to every cocktail. Available at the best bars in Milan.
AMARO LUCANO. THE ITALIAN TOUCH.