The best of fashion, design and architecture in Milan

The mandatory places for lovers of exclusiveness

It’s the capital of fashion, architecture and design. Have you ever wondered why Milan, besides its strong economy, can

bring together all these artistic areas? First of all, Milan is the capital of Lombardia, a region that gets 18,000 million euros a

year just from fashion and a segment that employs 80,000 people in Milan alone. It’s the financial capital of Italy, with

more than 120 banking institutions and around 2,000 foreign multinational companies having their headquarters there.

Also, we can’t forget that Milan is one of the main gateways for tourists!

Two traditional events attract thousands of foreigners and represent the city: Salone

del Móbile, the design week that always takes place in April, and Fashion Week. The

latter is split into four seasons: January and June are for men’s fashion shows, while

February and September are for women’s fashion shows. When planning your trip to

Milan, it’s important to look at this calendar because the city is full of tourists and

fashion lovers on these dates, which makes everything more expensive.

To get a feel for Milan’s unique energy, you must walk around its charming streets and

visit the most important places, for example, the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

This impressive building from the 1600s is a neoclassical mezzo-baroque iron and

glass monument with shops like Prada and Louis Vuitton, cafes, and the traditional

1867 Savini restaurant.

A new place opened not too long ago, which is another unforgettable spot! In 2015, the Fondazione Prada moved its massive

headquarters into a building that used to be a gin distillery. Its museums, which have works from the 19th and 20th centuries, are a

tribute to contemporary art in Italy. It has ten pavilions, and all the new constructions and buildings have been refurbished in a bold and

original architectural style. Remember that you must show the entrance ticket to all of them, so keep it with you until the end of the

visit. The highlight is the majestic gilded facility building, set up in 24-carat gold leaf, where Robert Gober ’s airtight Haunted House

exhibition is installed.

 The Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, who won many awards and died in 2016, also left a big mark
on the city. CityLife Milano is an ambitious plan for a sustainable city in the northwest of
Milan. The district of Fiera Milano changed enormously because of the construction of
commercial and residential buildings, green spaces and pedestrian areas.

The Hadid residences are another one-of-a-kind part of this modern architecture example in Lombardia. The twisted movement in
their curved balconies and elegant lines remind us of a high-rise ship, giving it a unique feature.

If you are passionate about architecture and history, you must visit Castello Sforzesco, one of the
few still-standing 15th-century buildings in the city, although it was hit hard by bombs during
World War II. During your visit, you can check out the interior parts of the castle or just walk
through its gorgeous garden. Some site features became public buildings, like the Museum of
Decorative Arts and Musical Instruments and the Trivulzian Library. Behind the building is the
remarkable Parco Sempione, home of the Triennale di Milano, the best contemporary art and design
museum in the country.

The Tortona Zone is also a key place for people who love good design. Via Tortona is the street that gives the neighborhood its name and
is full of shops selling decorations, gifts and clothes, as well as fun restaurants and cafes. On this street, for example, there is a museum
called Armani Silos that is all about the clothes and legacy of Giorgio Armani.

Also, since we’re talking about Armani, you can already see why it’s hard to get a new closet
in Milan. Even if you don’t buy much, just looking at the exclusive windows is a lot of fun
because the stores on the streets like Montenapoleone and Della Spiga are known all over the
world as examples of brands like Marni, Bottega Veneta, and Maison Margiela. You can also
find famous design brands like Artemide and B&B Italia.

We recommend visiting Corso Como 10, a luxury multi-brand store that offers much more than clothing and accessories! You can also
enjoy its restaurant, bar and beautiful garden. Then, you can go to the Isola district, where there are new buildings, such as the Bosco
Verticale, a beautiful poem to the vegetation in the middle of the stone forest.

If you want to go shopping, Corso Buenos Aires and Corso di Porta Ticinese are great places to start. Besides, an enormous and
traditional flea market is set up every Saturday at the Fiera di Sinigaglia in the Navigli region. It’s a very different place because you can
dig through new and second-hand objects and accessories in an old market while you are in a modern city like Milan.

What do you think about going to Milan on your next trip to see how fashion,
architecture and design come together in a unique combination?
5 must-see places to visit in Rome

There are many secrets to discover in this unique destination, and you can find them out on this route
The famous Italian capital hides places with a lot of history and interesting facts, which is why it gets more than 8 million visitors every
year. We want to share this data with you; for example, Rome is known as “the Eternal City” and was the largest city in Europe by 500
years. Another curious fact: Rome has also achieved a world record for having more than 2,000 beautiful fountains of different shapes
and sizes! Discover the 5 must-see attractions on your first visit to this fantastic city.

1.- Colosseum

Formerly called the “Anfiteatro Flavio” (Flavio Amphitheater), Rome’s magnificent Colosseum is
the largest amphitheater built during the Roman Empire nearly 2000 years ago. It’s considered
the most impressive monument in Rome as it’s 188 m long, 156 m wide and 57 m high. During
the Roman Empire, more than 50,000 people gathered at this monument to watch different
shows, exotic animal exhibitions, prisoner executions, battles and the famous gladiator fights
depicted in so many movies. Can you imagine what this place was like in its full splendor? On
July 7th, 2007, the Colosseum was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

This extraordinary monument receives more than 6 million visitors annually. To get to know it, we recommend that you plan your visit by
purchasing tickets online. It’s open to the public every day of the year (except December 25th and January 1st) from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The combined ticket for the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine costs €16 (US$17) for adults and is free for children under 17.

2.- Città del Vaticano (Vatican City)

The Vatican became a country in 1929, even though it is in the middle of Rome. It is the
smallest sovereign state in Europe. Less than 1000 people live in its small area of 0.44
km², and all of them are Roman Catholic citizens. They are part of the clergy and the
police force, which is the Swiss Guard. About 2,400 people work at the Vatican, but they
all commute from Italy daily. It’s the seat of the Catholic Church and is where the
Pope’s residence is located.

We recommend visiting three essential places in Città del Vaticano:

The Basilica and Piazza di San Pietro, the most important religious building in the world, are where Santa Sede (the Pope’s church) is
located. At its feet is the Piazza de San Pietro, one of the most beautiful squares in the world, which can accommodate over 300,000
people. You can also visit the fantastic Vatican Museums, where the most extensive collection of art of the Roman Catholic Church is
gathered, and the extraordinary Cappella Sistina. The latter must be visited, as that’s where you’ll find Michelangelo’s famous and
iconic masterpieces.

Because there are so many people who want to see the Vatican, the best thing to do is buy tickets in advance. The general admission
price is €17 (approximately US$18), but it may vary depending on the type of tour you wish to take.

3.- Fontana di Trevi

It’s the must-have postcard on your first visit to Rome. The Fontana di Trevi is the most iconic
fountain in the city and one of the most beautiful in the world, built in the 18th century by Nicola
Salvi. Tourists are impressed by the size difference between the square and the space where the
fountain is. Before arriving at the Fontana di Trevi, think carefully about what you wish! Flipping a
coin ensures your return to the “Eternal City,” flipping two coins to find the love of your life and
flipping three coins to marry that person!

4.- Castel Sant’Angelo

You can’t miss the opportunity to visit Castel Sant’Angelo, one of the most famous
monuments in Rome, which was created to serve as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian
(117–138). Because of how it was built and where it was located, this building was critical
during the centuries-long fights for Rome’s control, as it could hold off enemy attacks for
months.

Besides being a fortress, it was also the palace where the Popes would spend some periods of the year. Currently, the castle directly
connects to Vatican City through a walled passage called the Passetto, where you can take excellent souvenir photos of your trip. The
Museo Nazionale del Castel Sant’Angelo has been there since 1925, and in some of its rooms you can admire beautiful collections of
Renaissance paintings (e.g., by Zavattari, Lorenzo Lotto, Luca Signorelli), as well as remarkable sculptures and ceramics.

5.- Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is famous for its characteristic elongated shape. It’s the quintessential
baroque square of Rome, a jewel of this style’s construction, and its main attraction is the
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). Its 30-meter height makes it the
largest of the three fountains in Piazza Navona, where four monumental white marble
figures represent the main rivers of the four continents known at the time. You'll enjoy the
square's lively and intense vibe, which is caused by the large number of tourists and the
many street artists who perform there. Besides, it’s surrounded by places whose exquisite
cuisine will delight you.

After reading our recommendations, you’ll have plenty of reasons to

visit Rome! Prepare your trip because the capital of Italy is waiting to
make you fall in love with its magical and historical charms. Choose
the date of your trip to Rome with LATAM.
How about enjoying Rome beyond the obvious?

Many places in the Italian capital haven’t been explored by tourists but are worth visiting.

The Eternal City is also one of the most visited cities in the world. Rome receives more than 8 million tourists a year, so it’s
not surprising that its tourist attractions are always full of visitors, regardless of the time of year. But if you like to travel at
a slower pace and want to see something other than the most famous sights, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Rome that
aren’t so obvious.

In a city so full of churches, most of which are worth visiting, it’s important to select a few to enter and admire since you’ll
not be able to see them all. The great church of San Ignacio de Loyola is left out of tourist itineraries in general, but it has
one of the most elaborate ceilings in Europe. Andrea Pozzo, a famous Italian Baroque artist, painted “Grandfather in 3D”
there. It is a beautiful fresco with a false perspective that makes the figures look like they are coming off the wall. Even the
dome was designed to look like it has depth when, in fact, it doesn’t. Built at the end of the 17th century, this admirable
church is located in the city’s historic center.

A little further, one of the four papal basilicas in Rome was built on the first sanctuary in
honor of the apostle Paul, who died in the city in the first century AD. The magnificent
Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is called that because it is outside of the old
Aurelian Walls. It has an imposing atrium with rows of columns that frame the space. The
ceiling and dome are covered with golden mosaics arranged in a way you won’t find in any
other Roman church.

Like the Basilica, the Centrale Montemartini is in the Ostiense neighborhood; you can make
the most of the same walk by visiting both places. It’s a branch or “arm” of the famous
Capitoline museums. Part of the collection that doesn’t fit in the main museum is shown
here. Strangely, the Centrale Montemartini is in a building that used to be a power station,
and the works are on display along with the pieces of machinery. Gorgeous ancient Greek
and Roman sculptures can be seen next to engines and turbines, making for an exciting
experience that doesn’t usually draw many people at the same time.

We know that the museums, the archaeological sites and the galleries have made Rome a desired destination for tourists. However, the
city has another very particular characteristic: it’s the greenest city in Europe, with 67% of its territory covered by parks, nature reserves
and gardens. For this reason, we recommend you spend some time in contact with nature, especially in the hot months, from mid-May to
September.

Villa Doria Pamphili, a beautiful park off the beaten path, is a great place to find peace and enjoy a quiet environment. The rustic aura of
this charming place makes it perfect for moments of contemplation or even a relaxed picnic.
 The park is in the Monteverde district, while the Doria Pamphilj Palace is in the center

of Rome. The family that gives the name to the two places had its origin in the union

of the Pamphilj, the Tuscans, influential Catholic Church and Italian political figures,

and the Doria, Genoese nobles. The palace has a vast private art collection and

beautiful frescoed ceilings. The museum is open to the public, and there is rarely a

line to enter.

One kilometer away is the Barberini Palace, where there is one of the great works of Caravaggio, Judith and Holofernes, and pieces by

Raphael and Bernini; this is, deliberately or not, one of Rome’s best-kept secrets! Also worth visiting are the Sciarra galleries, an example

of Art Nouveau in the city, and Alberto Sordi, an elegant Roman-style shopping mall close to the Trevi Fountain.

Finally, to go back a little further in time and understand even better how Ancient

Rome worked, you cannot miss a visit to the fascinating Baths of Caracalla. The

fantastic thermal complex, which is well-kept and easy to get to (it’s right next to the

Circo Massimo), opened in 216 AD and quickly became the most impressive of its

time. Visitors could enjoy hot and cold baths, a gym, cafés and an Olympic pool,

where people rested on the edges and played; carvings can still be seen on the

stones left there. The gardens are lovely too, and you can use virtual reality to see

what the buildings and pools were like back in the days when the Romans used the

baths, as you can hire individual simulators.

You have already seen that you can enjoy the city a lot by putting together an

itinerary to get to know aspects of Rome that are beyond the ordinary. However,

you’ll do it without missing out on the tourist places everyone dreams of visiting.

All you have to do is plan it very well!

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