Itali II - Milano & Venezia

Day 6 : Exploring Milano

We arrived in Milan in the late afternoon. Milan was initially not in our itinerary but since we were getting quite bored in Rome and Florence, we decided to switch things around and checked online to get our hotel.

Hotel Star Ritz is definitely not your kind of 'nice' hotel on the outside. It looks old from the outside but the feeling of modern living came once we got in. They had given us the highest floor on the 7th (ummm... the hotels here barely are over 10 storeys). Hotel room was even more superb with an extended balcony which reminded me of our Fullerton Hote Suites.

It was a pity we didn't get to use it because

it was raining the next 2 days when we were there!

It is situated just right behind the main street and within walking distance to San Babila and the underground Metro. One who has been to Europe would realise their train stations are so near to each other that as Tourist, it is better to walk then to take its Metro because you get to enjoy the sights along the way.

We explored the streets as we walked. The Duomo di Milano was right in front of us as we reached its main shopping belt. Just next to it is the Galleria Vittorio Emaneule II, which houses Prada and LV (well, together with MacDonalds, MacCafe).

There was no shopping, just plaining exploring the area and dinner.

Galleria Vittoria Emameule II

Duomo de Milano

Day 7: Serious Shopping Fun : The Mains and The Outlet

Our intention was initially to check out the Outlet first (which I will share more later) but had missed the 1000hrs departure timing. We turned back to Piazza Del Duomo and started our exploration.

I must say that the Prada store there is really big and houses the most complete Prada collections, as well as displays of its history where items used by the Prada Family were placed neatly in the cabinets for all to view.

Many other labels also stock good collections. I didn't pop into LV because there is really nothing I wanted to buy (erm, well, I have a habit of checking out new arrivals online these days before I even bother to go into the boutiques now).

Via Montenapoleone, where famous brands are

Serravalle Outlet

It is a 1hr bus ride. You have to first take the Metro to reach Cairoli or Lanza Station and find this Travel Agency along Foro Bonaparte. Buy the ticket at 20 Euros per adult and meet opposite for the bus to take you there.

There are 2 timings: 10am and 130pm. Departure from the Outlet is 5pm or 7pm.

There are many well known labels, from Ferrari to Puma (and Prada), you have it there!

The bus that took us there - NO FOOD ALLOWED!

The Ferrari Outlet Store

Day 8: Last minute shopping and train to Venezia

They say Milan is the Capital of Fashion. What I can say is that the culture is totally different from Paris, and even other cities within Italy. The people in Rome and Florence appeared to be more warm, while the Milanos were really the typical city dwellers - well clothed, looks straight up, and walks fast. While leather seems to be the popular outer wear in the previous 2 cities, the Milanos preferred their trench coats in the best cool quality and beautiful leather boots.

Personally for me, shopping isn't really as 'convenient' as Singapore or Paris, where popular shops are just within walking distance or are along the main streets so that is easier to find. In Via Montenapoleane where the main street of fashion labels were, the shops were not as huge as I'd expected them to be, probably due to the fact that they are all housed in old shop houses which were small to begin with. For Chanel, we had to travel between 2 stores!

I couldn't find Hermes, Loewe and Celine. But I must agree that their Armani store there is a mega one which houses everything label under the Armani group. As for prices, well, they are not too far off from Singapore.

I guess over time, prices for luxury items have gone aligned (with exception of some labels still). The only difference would be the tax rebates and most importantly the wider variety which may not be available in the domicile market.

Day 9: Venezia

We arrived Venice late at 8pm the night before. Just as we thought we were about to find ourselves sleeping in the coziness of a good reasonable hotel room, we were totally shocked by what was offered - a scary looking old hotel with insects in the room and bathroom with a shower curtain which overlaps the toilet bowl!

What was even more disappointing was the rooms were booked by a travel agent whom we've been using, at EUR110 per night when it was actually sold for EUR50! (So no Miki Travel, nor Alternative Travels anymore!)

It was good that we managed to get 2 nights available at Best Western for almost the same price! The room was spacious and clean, breakfast was wonderful!

There are 2 Venezia Train Stations - St Lucia and Mestre. St Lucia is the final train station where the old town is - commonly known as the City of Water where its inhabitants practically live and travel on water. Our hotel is at Mestre, so each time we will have to pay 1Eur to get to the old town, where most activities are.

Venice is beautiful and interesting. There is water route where their 'train' travels to, except that it is on a boat. Commuters will need to buy their ticket to board. Alternative transports are the Gondola, water Taxi, and your ever dependable feet!

Yes - EzLink is in Venezia too!

The Water Transportation Route

Gondola - in plush seats and golden acccessories

Most interesting is that I even managed to get a limited edition Alice in Wonderland collection cashmere scarf by Furla!

There are streets and streets of small shops, many of which are selling Masquerade masks, Murano Glasses and Venetia Laces. Of course, the usual LVs, Hermes, etc etc are there too, except that I could not find where BV was. Oh yes, they have Chanel there too!

Typical Venetia View

Murano Glasses

These are soaps, not cakes!

As we walked further, we finally reached Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square) - the beautiful place where the olden Venetians used to enjoy their many masquerades as well as a meeting place. This Masquerade Ball (now termed as Carnival of Venice) still happens somewhere in February every year.

Piazza San Marco

Day 10: More of Venice, and off to Vienna!

We spent the late morning in old Venice and then returned by late afternoon to explore the new Venice and then it was back to hotel to rest and recharge. We had our dinner at the usual Chinese Restaurant across the street, and waited desperately for time to move faster for our overnight train ride at 1.05am to Vienna.