Sure Travel Journey Vol 5.1 Summer 2019 | Page 26

Left: The bustling neighbourhood of
Naviglio. Below left: No trip to Italy is
complete without sampling the food.
stadium museum, team locker rooms and
grandstands and include a walk out onto
the famous pitch.
EMBRACE THE APERITIVO
The Milanese have turned the simple
act of a light snack before dinner into
something of an art form. The aperitivo
is a popular ritual for locals, and in
cocktail bars across the city you’ll find
a complimentary spread of bruschetta,
cheese and cured meats with your
evening drinks. Fonderie Milanesi near
Bocconi University is a local fave.
© LAZAR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Today you’ll find that these historic waterways,
once used for transporting goods throughout the
city, are lined with trendy bars and restaurants
the rather hidden Marchesi 1824, one of
Milan’s most famous pasticcerias.
LA SCALA
Just a few steps from the Galleria you’ll
find Teatro alla Scala. Built in the late
1700s, it remains one of the most famous
opera houses in Europe. Though drab
from the outside, the sumptuous gold and
crimson interior is breathtaking and best
discovered on one of the pre-bookable
guided tours (€25). Entry to the museum
(€9) also allows a peek into the theatre
from the third-level boxes. Tickets for
popular operas are hard to come by,
but look out for symphony concerts
and recitals.
© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE II
If it’s fashion you’re after, you won’t want
to miss the remarkable Galleria Vittorio
Emanuele II. Though it is thronged with
camera-toting tourists, this impressive
indoor shopping arcade is lined with
the world’s leading luxury brands. For
the price of an espresso (€1.50 at the
counter), the best views are upstairs at
26 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
SAN SIRO
There’s drama of a different sort on offer
at San Siro, the largest football stadium in
Italy. With a maximum capacity of
80 000, taking in a match at the traditional
home ground of AC Milan and Inter
Milan is an unforgettable experience
for any football fan. If you can’t bag a
ticket for a match at the self-proclaimed
“temple of soccer”, the on-site museum
offers guided tours (€17) that take in the
END THE NIGHT IN NAVIGLIO
This lively neighbourhood to the south of
the city centre has enjoyed a long overdue
rejuvenation, as the canals have been
cleaned out and spruced up. Today you’ll
find that these historic waterways, once
used for transporting goods throughout
the city, are lined with trendy bars and
restaurants. The Naviglio Grande is the
hub of the area, and a great place to
start exploring. In the summer, boat tours
depart from the Alzaia Naviglio Grande,
but you’ll probably enjoy exploring the
area more on foot.
PLANNER
Q TRAVEL
GETTING THERE: With
flights from both Cape Town and
Johannesburg, Air France, KLM and
Joon offer daily connections to Milan.
GETTING AROUND: The modern
metro system is easy to navigate, and
a cheap way to explore the city. A
one-day ticket costs just €4.50.
VISAS: South African passport
holders require a Schengen visa to
visit Italy.
GO THERE WITH SURE: Sure Travel
offers a number of packages to Italy
and can tailor any itinerary for Milan.
Visit www.suretravel.co.za to find your
nearest agency, or call 0861 47 48 49.