Italy

Milan Survival Guide

Food& Drinks Lombardia How to reach us

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 Information

In the guide you can find some useful information about world's Italy is a country located on the Italian Peninsula (the so called Boot, guess why?)
capital of fashion, which is in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea,
Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern, Alpine boundary with France,
Milan Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
and its region, Lombardia. The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within
We recommend you to read these pages carefully before starting the Italian Peninsula, and Campione dItalia, exclave in Switzerland.

your trip and if something is not clear dont hesitate to write us, Italy has been the home of many European cultures, such as the Etruscans and
we'll be happy to answer!!! the Romans, and later on it was the birthplace of the University, the Renaissance
milan@best.eu.org that began in Tuscany and spread all over Europe, Vitruvian Man, modern
science and astronomy, heliocentrism and Opera.

Italys 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
midtwentieth century.

Today, Italy is a democratic republic and a developed country with the eight
highest qualityoflife 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 worlds seventhlargest nominal GDP, and is
also a member state of the Organisation for Economic Coopera6on 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 worlds eighthlargest defence budget and shares NATOs nuclear
weapons.

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 Other information Weather

Capital: Rome, even though the finance capital is no doubt Milan

The climate in Italy is highly diverse and can be far from the stereotypical
Official language: Italian (or gestures: you will find out! ) Mediterranean climate depending on the location.

Currency: Euros () Most of the inland northern areas of Italy, for example Turin, Milan and
Bologna, have a continental climate olen classified as humid subtropical.
Area: 301,23 sq km
The coastal areas of Liguria and most of the peninsula
Highest point: Mont Blanc (4807 m) south of Florence generally fit the Mediterranean stereotype.

Government : Parlamentary Republic The coastal areas of the peninsula can be very different from the interior
higher altitudes and valleys, particularly during the winter months when
Time zone: CET (UTC+1) summer: CEST(UTC+2) the higher altitudes tend to be cold, wet, and often snowy.

The coastal regions have mild winters and warm and generally
Self Knowledge : dry summers, although lowland valleys can be quite hot in summer.
The Ambrosian Library in Milan holds scripts and books of an
unestimated value and some of them are made of human skin!!

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 Food Drinks

You will probably have heard about our typical and

worldwideknown 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:
Do you know what an aperitivo is?
Caff
Can you list 10 typical Italian drinks?
Risotto
Do you know what BEST Milan tradition is?
Piadina

Pizza
If you dont...
Pasta

Focaccia
...youll discover soon enough!
Panzerotto
May your thirst be quenched !!
Arancino

Gelato

Pannacotta

Tiramis

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 Info on Lombardy
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
with powdered slopes, lemon groves, crop fields,
vineyards and rice paddies.
But one element defines this diverse region: style,
in Milan's "Golden Quad" (Quadrilatero d'Oro).
Sparkling lakes are strung along the north of the region
like 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).
Fresh lake fish grace Lombardy's tables, along with "risotto"
and "polenta" from the plains; Alpine butter, cream and cheese; and
celebrated wines such as dry Valtellina reds and fizzy Franciacorta,
produced using the same double-fermentation method as Champagne.
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City of Milan
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 in
Milan's "Golden Quad" (Quadrilatero d'Oro).
Crisscrossing the city are Milan's five underground metro lines, and an
extensive network of buses and trams.
Milan's catwalkflat terrain, however, makes it easy to cover the centre.
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.
Northwest is the gentrified, former bohemian quarter of Brera, with
narrow cobblestone streets, upmarket antique shops and alfresco cafs.
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.
 How to reach us by Plane

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.
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 meeting point will be in the square in front of Lambrate Railway Sta The Autostradale for 5 (one way), 9
tion (Stazione Lambrate), so called "Piazza Bottini". for more info www.airportbusexpress.it/init.aspx .
Check the timetable before buying the ticket.
Most of the buses from the 3 airports of Milano (Malpensa, Orio, Linate), You can buy the ticket just outside the protected area
and all the interna6onal trains arrive at Stazione Centrale; from there, you and also in the bus, it is the same price.
can take the metro (green line, direction: Cologno/Gessate) and get off at The trip takes approximately one hour.
Lambrate F.S. station

Reach the square and look for very nice hot

and
Youll 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:
people with the BEST logo you've ever seen. Cologno/Gessate) and get off at Lambrate F.S.

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 by Plane
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.
Heres what you have to do: first of all you have to reach the Terminal 1,
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, now you are at the Terminal 1 so, you can go to the arrival floor and
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 n6 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
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by Plane
From Linate Airport
From here it is very easy. Take your luggage, go to the arrival floor and
look for Agenzia Starfly Linate.
Here, buy the tcket for the bus, 5 (one way).
Go out of the airport and take the Starfly bus, it runs every 30.
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 LinateCentrale,
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.
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 by Train or Car
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, isnt 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 Ltschberg 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.
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by Subway
If you have arrived into another train station, another point of Milan,
or you have lost yourself into the city
let's take the subway to get Stazione Centrale!
When you find the metro sign (red with a white M), go downstairs in the
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.
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 Useful information Other usefull info

HEALTHCARE
Insurance: If you are an EU citizen (or from Switzerland, Norway or Iceland), CENTRAL TOURIST OFFICE
a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers you for most medical care Phone +39 02 77404343
in public hospitals free of charge, but not for emergency repatriation home or web: www.milanoinfotourist.com
non emergencies. The card is available from health centres. Citizens from other Address: Piazza del Duomo 19a
countries should find out if there is a reciprocal arrangement for free medical care Opening Hours: 8.15am1pm & 26 pm MonSat;
between their country and Italy. 9.00am1pm & 25 pm Sun

POLICE
Foreigner police office: Phone +39 02 622 6 1 Address: Via Montebello 26
Police station address: Via Fatebenefratelli 11 SAMPLE PRICES

EMERGENCY AT PUB/BAR:
Ambulance: 118 Police: 113 Firemen: 115 General: 112 Espresso: 1
Cappuccino: 1,20
LUGGAGE STORAGE (if you drink your coffee standing, not at the table!)
Stazione Centrale: Service fees are 5,00 for the first 5 hours, 0,70/hour from Aperitivo: 6-10
the 6th to the 12th hour, and 0,30 for every additional hour. Pint of beer: 3,50-6
Half pint: 2,50-4
CURRENCY EXCANGE Cocktail: 7-10
We recommend you to change your money at home before leaving, its more TAKEAWAY:
convenient. However there are currencyexchange offices at both airports and a Panino/Piadina: 4
couple on the western side of Piazza del Duomo: Bottle of water: 1
Coke: 2
American Express, Via Larga 4, Monday to Friday, 9am 5.30pm Ice-cream: 2,50
Banca Cesare Ponti, Piazza del Duomo, 19 a 24 hour
automatic banknoteexchange machine
Banca Commerciale Italiana, Piazza della Scala,
it has a 24 hour currencyexchange machine

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 More useful info Map

THINGS TO BRING YOURSELF

A complete list of things to bring will be available later. A couple of weeks before www.atm.it | 800.80.81.81
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 dont 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 Meet
you are selected, so we can prepare the invitation and send it to you on time Point
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 =)

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