Milan Food City at the Valle dei Monaci

Enjoy these open air events next May 6th and 7th

Save the date: next weekend, May 6th/7th, Milan becomes the Food City, that is you can find all around the city many events and activities connected to the food theme. Why don’t you attend the events organized by the Social Lab Valle dei Monaci in the rural area between Piazzale Corvetto and Chiaravalle? Open air and local food, you won’t regret.

Saturday, May 6th

Gp Eco Runa at Nocetum: a non-competitive ecological race in the Vettabbia Park (registrations and race at 10 a.m., free under 18 years old, more on this info page). Following a light lunch with local products set by the kitchen of Nocetum (book your place at info@nocetum.it).

Then Arte e Purezza (i.e. art and purity) at Nosedo purifier at 3 p.m.: a meeting about arts with some historians, critics of art, artists, journalists and curators. The opening of the International Festival of purifiers and Acqua Franca Museum (MAF), 3rd edition, by Arte da mangiare, at the Chiaravalle Abbey mill at 5 p.m.: the theme is food and agriculture, both a good match and a challenge for the future. At the end a guided tour of the Abbey and the old refectory by Koinè association and Parco Agricolo Sud Milano (book at infopoint@monasterochiaravalle.it). At the Farmhouse San Giacomo (Nocetum) at 6.30 p.m. concert and aperitivo. Later, at 8 p.m. at Borgo di Chiaravalle (Circolo Pessina) don’t miss the show: “Romeo & Juliet” by Tournée da Bar, Shakespeare out of the theatres to the cafè’s tables. Dinner and street food set by Davide Longoni’s bakery.

Sunday, May 7th

Rural feast at Nosedo Farmhouse from 11 a.m.: art labs, playground and pic nic lunch on the meadow with wine and meatballs! Old style snack break with mortadella and bread. In the afternoon attend the bike workshop Lab-Bici, by La Strada. At Nosedo purifier an entertaining show for kids (at 12.30 p.m.) and a book presentation (at 3 p.m.). Then don’t miss the guided trekking across the Vettabia Park, by Greem (Gruppo Ecologico Est Milano). In the afternoon at Borgo di Chiaravalle street food time and an inspiring Jazz concert at the open air at 7 p.m.

Free entry for all the events, book your place where needed. More on Valle dei Monaci web site.

Visit Milan: helpful hints

Italian name: Milano

Arrival

Milan has got three airports:

Malpensa Airport is the largest international & intecontinental Airport in Northern Italy. 30 miles Northwest from the city centre. Connections:
→ Train Malpensa Express: trains leaves every 30 minutes in each direction, connecting the Airport to Milan Grand Central Station or Cadorna Railway Station. Terminals 1 and 2. It takes 45 min, price: 14 €
→ Shuttle Bus: Malpensa Shuttle and Malpensa Bus Express connect the airport to Milan Grand Central Railway Station and Milan’s Underground Network. Terminals 1 and 2. It takes 60/70 min, price: 8 €
City Airport Linate is an international airport connecting Milan with main European cities, located just 4 miles from the city centre. Connections by shuttle: Atm Bus n. 73 from Milano Duomo M1 – M3 (Piazza Diaz, direction: San Babila), first ride at 5.35 am, last one at 00.35. Frequency: every 10 min, price 1,5 €
Milan Bergamo Airport Orio al Serio is mainly low cost flights Airport, located 30 miles Northwest from Milan. Connections only by Shuttle: There are 4 different bus companies, pricing changes from 5 up to 8 €

Transports

ATM is Milan public transport service both for bus, tram and subway. Single ticket costs 1.50€ for 90-min ride. Consider daily/weekly subscriptions. You can buy tickets also texting to 48444. Milan Subway is the longest in Italy, covering 95 km: Donwload and check the map.

Moving in town can be nice also by bike: Milan has got a powerfull bike sharing service providing both regular and e-bikes. Here is the experience of our Ambassador Kim Harding with BikeMi service and a useful video of our Ambassador Roxana explaining how does it work. Car Sharing is also good with many different companies to choose.

Try also the local urban railway train, called Passante Ferroviario, check the experience of our Ambassador Roxana Iacoban travelling by local train in town.

What to do in Milan

Milan is the Italian financial center and one of the European capitals of Fashion. Known for its nightlife as well.

Some tips on Italia Slow Tour: watch our web serie about Leonardo da Vinci’s places, climb on top of the Duomo, visit Prada Foundation, Museums and Art Galleries, taste some fine gelato and try the local Aperitivo and – not joking – enjoy a sailing trip (!!) or some time deep in the nature close to some actual farms and fields.

Where to sleep

Accomodations are quite expensive in Milan, fares rise up and hotels get full according to the rich event calendar of the city (see: Fashion Week, Salone del mobile, Big concerts, Theatre and Sport events, etc.). If you are not specifically interested in any of those, try to travel during other periods to save some money.

Italia Slow Tour recommends:

Hotel Cervo in Garibaldi District if you want to stay close to city centre and enjoy the nightlife
Hotel Concorde located on the Green Way Milan-Lecco to Lake Como, if you want to move around adn travel by bike

Shopping in Milan

The famous Fashion District involves the following streets/areas: Via Montenapoleone, via Manzoni, via della Spiga and Corso Venezia. The so called “Quadrilateral of Fashion”. Here you can find all kind of brands and shops. Easy to reach by Subway (stop at Montenapoleone station).

Don’t miss the Street Markets! Almost every day you can find one: best are the ones in Viale Papiniano (on Tuesday) and Via Fauchè (on Saturday). More on the official website of weekly street markets. If you are into sustainable local products, Milan has got 8 actual farms in town and a green Earth Market.

If you are interested in Outlet Shopping, in the outskirt of Milan you can find 4 different Fashion Outlets, in a radius of 62 miles. Here you can find everyday a lot of famous high quality Italian brands on sale, with prices cut off up to 50%. All the outlets are connected to the center of Milan by Shuttle Bus:

Serravalle Designer Outlet – Shuttle departure from Milan Central Station or Cairoli square
Fidenza Village Outlet Shopping – Shuttle departure from Piazza della Repubblica 5, at the corner with Turati st.
Vicolungo The Style Outlets – Shuttle departure from Cairoli square
Rodengo-Saiano Franciacorta Outlet Village – Shuttle departure from Cairoli square