Milan During Fashion Week

We have been to Milano many, many times, but never during this time period. A cogent strategy might be to start now to look for hotel accommodations and book them along with a free cancellation policy.

Years ago we discovered the Hotel Berna on Via Napo Torriano, which is about 400 meters directly in front of Stazione Centrale. This is the only place we will stay and they serve the best breakfast in Milano. The staff is outstanding, the property is extremely clean, and it is very close to public transportation. You can check this reference on tripadvisor.com, venere.com, booking.com, or even trivago.com.

Milano is Italy's second city, but it is not a popular tourist destination.

Buon viaggio,

Hotel prices do go up during convention events, so I would book as soon as possible for availability as well as perhaps finding a good rate. I haven't been there during Fashion Week, but I have been there at other peak times. Are you planning to stay in Milano or just stop on your way to somewhere else? Are you departing from Milano as well (if so, perhaps you can flip your Milano dates).

RB: Thanks, for the hotel recommendation. I'll try booking a (free cancellation) room this weekend.

Zoe: I'm flying into Milan, making a loop through Lake Como, Parma, Cinque Terre, and Barbaresco, and then returning to Milan and flying home. I want to stay in Milan for 1 or 2 nights before driving to Lake Como. I'm 64 years old and the idea of flying from LA to Milan and then immediately renting a car and driving to Varenna doesn't work for me... I'll be on vacation. I know that I could stay overnight at an airport hotel, but that seems like a waste of 1 night of my Italian trip.
REALLY want to hear from someone who has actually been in Milan during Fashion Week... don't know if my concerns are justified.

While you are in Milano here are a few suggestions:
1. In the Piazza del Duomo go into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele at the first intersection (only one) and look left to find "Il Torino" ceramic bull in the floor. It will be easy to find because there is always a bunch of people around it. Place the heel of your shoe on the bulls testicles and spin. This is a Milanese custom for good luck. You will notice this area is worn and it will be replaced every few years.

1. In the evening go to the Navigli district for your evening passegiatta (evening stroll). The area is a former factory section, which has been gentrified not cafes, restaurants, bars, gelatorie, flea markets, and great people watching. The area is 2 or 3 streets, which run along a canal.

2. The Leonardo DiVinci Science Museum is a neat place. Make sure you go over to the part with the airplanes and a part of a ship. You can make a reservation to tour the Italian Navy submarine.

3. Absolutely AVOID the Cafe Dante on Via Dante. It is a tourist trap with terrible food and ignorant waiters.

4. Peck's Gastronomia is a really upscale food store and worth some browsing. If you are a foodie you will like this place.

Buon viaggio,

I suggest going to Varenna the day you arrive in Milan (via train).
Varenna is a beautiful place to get over jet lag!

You don't need a car in Varenna.

• Take the Malpensa Express train to Milano Centrale ( 52 minutes) then take train to Varenna (Varenna-Esino) - 1 hour 3 minutes.

• You can buy your tickets at the airport.

• Make sure you buy your return ticket (Varenna to Milano) at the same time as the Varenna train station does not sell tickets.

• Make sure you validate your ticket(s) prior to boarding the train.

• Once in Varenna, you can take the ferry boat to visit all the lakeside villages/cities (Bellagio, Menaggio, Lenno, etc...)

• Check ferry boat schedules Here

I have not been to Milan during fashion week but we were there during the textile convention (in the hotel we were staying) & it didn't affect our plans. Fashion week is for designers & fashionistas so I presume they will be at the runway shows & not visiting the tourist sites.

Mjdorn,

I'm curious, how did you find out about Fashion Week?

We were just in Milan at the end of Sept/early October this year & perhaps we were there during Fashion Week?!?

Nonetheless, we didn't have any issues.

Enjoy your trip!

I don't know from first hand experience, but I wouldn't expect it to make much of a difference if you can get a decent hotel at a decent price.

We have Fashion Week in London too, and other than pictures in the paper and ads on some streets it really doesn't even make a blip on the radar.

Milano is smaller than London, and fashion is a big part of Milano, but if it were I, I wouldn't worry about it...

I totally agree with Nigel!

Besides... late September/early October is almost considered the low season for traveling in Italy.

Happy planning!

Mjdorn,
I'm curious as to what you've decided to do about your trip, are you still going to Milan during Fashion week?