Three Days in Milan

Sometimes Milan gets a bum rap. It's not as pretty as Venice or Florence and not quite as ancient as Rome. However, it definitely holds its own when it comes to shopping, partying, and artwork.

Quick Tips:

-Use Milan as a base to visit Venice, Florence, Bologna, Padua, and Lake Como. All these places are very conveniently located and accessible by train. -You don't have to leave a tip, and you are not expected to. -Use the street markets to buy souvenirs and designer items. They are everywhere and will often get you the best deal. Be careful of fakes though. -Take advantage of the aperitivo at the bars. An excellent value -- you get an all-you-can-eat buffet for the price of one drink. Get there early, though, as the best items will be gone. -Make sure to check the Duomo and La Scala if you can get a ticket. -Take a stroll through the Brera neighborhood, especially if you're with someone special.

Best Way To Get Around:

Metro, walking, trams. Keep in mind that you can only get the taxis at the cab stand -- hailing one is pretty useless. However, you can call, and they'll be there in minutes. Keep in mind that the meter starts running from their original destination. At night, there is a surcharge of 6 euros, so the ride is quite pricey. Also keep in mind that the metro stops running at midnight, so if you find yourself somewhere late at night, make sure you have a cab number with you. Make sure to stamp your tickets on metros and trains; otherwise, you can be fined 25 euros.

This is a family-run Sicilian seafood place -- by far the best food we had in Milan. So much so, we went back the second day. The staff was very friendly and helpful, though they spoke little English. Don't fret, though -- the menus were translated, and you can get far by pointing. Definitely check out the seafood items, as they are known for that. Also, the tiramisu is made on-premises and was delicious. Also check out the seafood grill and lobster pasta. The place also makes oven-baked pizzas, which are an awesome budget option. Highly recommend this place.

Soul 2 Soul is a hip-hop club located close to the center of Milan. The crowd is very mixed, though it is mostly Italian. On the night we were there, they were playing a mix of hip-hop, from top 40 hits to some classics. The atmosphere is very laid back and relaxed. The scene kind of reminded me of hip-hop clubs in Washington, D.C. and New York.

According to our gracious hostess, Hollywood is a local institution. The place has been around for 20 years but is still packed, even on a Tuesday night. We had a hook-up since our hostess knew the promoter, and he got us in for free without waiting in line. Otherwise, it would've been expensive and a long wait, since the line was huge. The place was definitely packed with tons of people and a very mixed crowd. The only drawback is that, since there's no drinking age, there quite a few young bucks. Unlike the US, though, they were just dancing, not getting into fights. So get there early and ready to dance, since there was no place to stand and chill.

*Please note: Italians push and shove their way through without saying "excuse me." At first, it was very disturbing, but then you just go along with it and start pushing too.