http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33959 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33959 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33950 Milan is not known as the most picturesque of Italian destinations. Having said this, it does have a lot to offer and I'd recommend it as a great mini-break destination. Apart from the art, architecture and opera there are loads of nice bars and places to go out, particularly if the weather is good. If you're lucky enough to be there on a warm spring day (spring is best as there are less mosquitos and more people about - the Milanese tend to leave the city en masse at the weekends in Summer) it's great to go out in the "Navigli" area which is full of nice bars and restaurants with tables and chairs outside looking over the ancient canals. This area is lovely although if you fancy having more than one beer or glass of wine it might sting a little as the prices are pretty high due to the "aperitivo" culture. This is basically Happy Hour time when drinks are expensive but the bar offers a buffet so you can eat and drink for 8-10 Euros which is great if you don't want to have more than one drink or go out for dinner afterwards.
I love going out for dinner and having more than one glass of wine so my top tip, to avoid getting stung, is the "Vineria" wine shop/bar on Via Casale, between the Porta Genova metro station and the "Naviglio Grande". This wine shop has big barrels inside and the staff pour out litres and bottle on request. It has no tables inside, no waiter service and no free aperitivo so it cuts out all the extra costs. You can sit outside with a glass of wine that costs €1.5 instead of €8 and, if you do fancy a bite, order a cheese and meat board, again for a very reasonable price. It's a great place allowing you to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the area, the good weather and wine and all on a budget.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33950 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30982 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30982 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29250 There are usually four or five temporary exhibits, covering an eclectic mix of different disciplines. When I was there the standout was an outstanding retrospective of the work of Milanese designer and architect Marco Ferreri.
A great place to people watch too, as an indoor alternative to gawping at the fashionistas in the Quadrilatero della Moda!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29250 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24072
He got me a room at Hotel Straf, which was cool enough to almost change my opinion of Milan, and definitely gave me the best stay. The staff was really helpful and professional, but took it to the next level and was genuinely FRIENDLY, which I know can be difficult with large chain hotels in any corner of the world.

24-hour reception and a gym was a nice plus, and leave it to my cousin to find me the place with the best bar :-)

As much as I love Italy for its history and antiquity, as well as ornate elegance, I'm equally drawn to modern decor and this place blows me away each time. The rooms are all unique with their own little touches, which just makes it more fun on every visit. Each time a pleasant surprise awaits me, though I must say I'm honestly in love with the brass and the black stone bathrooms (I can't remember the suite numbers now, sorry!). And the bar having massage chairs and aromatherapy rooms? EXQUISITE, absolutely exquisite! Anyway, this is definitely the place to stay in Milan, and very central, and it's definitely the place I'll be on my next trip.

Also, the booking agency speaks perfect English and is very prompt, so if you don't speak Italian, you can do this all yourself with a really user friendly site and don't have to go through cousins! And of course the hotel staff itself is well versed in more than two languages!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24072 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23643 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23643 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23201
It's a really social hostel with a cool Italian bar and is opposite the 'rolling stone' nightclub if you want to go out.

Lots of good freebies - breakfast, linen, wi-fi and a city map.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23201 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21954 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21954