The Last Stop: Milan of Italy

After travelling in Europe for 16 days, we then proceed to the next country which is Italy - the fourth country we intended to visit after United Kingdom (London), Portugal and Spain. Italy is our final stop before going back to Malaysia. Talking about Italy, actually I've been there 11 years ago and covered few cities like Florence, Rome, Orvieto, Verona, Venice and Pisa but surprisingly not Milan. Therefore for this round, I intentionally to include Milan as part of my itinerary. 

FROM MADRID AIRPORT (SPAIN) TO MILAN-BERGAMO AIRPORT (ITALY)

Madrid Airport is not far away from the city center. The best way to get to the Madrid-Barajas Airport is by taking metro. However, I decided to call for Uber cause it's a hassle for both of my mom and cousin to carry their heavy luggage up and down if we travel via metro/subway. For flight to Madrid, we took Ryanair due to its incredibly cheap fares. 

#1: With RyanAir from Madrid to Milan Bergamo

As for Milan, there are four different airports; Malpensa, Linate, Bergamo and Parma. RyanAir will be flying into Bergamo Airport, which is about 45km away from Milan city center. In order to reach Milano Centrale Station, the ideal option is by taking bus which can be found immediately outside the arrivals section of the airport. A single-trip costs €5 per person and the bus generally run every half an hour during the day but less often during night, sometimes might taken an hour or more. 

From what I experienced, regardless whichever airport you are flying to, the best choice is by taking bus. On our last day from Milan to Malpensa as we will be flying with Oman Air, we took bus from Milano Centrale Station (main bus and railway station for Milan). It costs €8 per person for one-way to Malpensa Airport and the ticket you can purchase on spot. However, beware of your personal belongings cause we almost becoming victim of pickpockets again (for the second time after our incident in Lisbon). Thanks goodness I was fully aware of my surrounding or else, I can't imagine the aftermath. 

#2: Milano Centrale Station - main railway and bus station of Milan city 

OUR HOTEL IN MILAN

Out of all the accommodations I booked for this trip, this hotel in Milan is the one and only I'm willing to splurge on it since I have like almost RM600 reward points from Agoda. Another reason is because since it's our final day, this is the time for us to travel in a posh style. You know like they said, save the best for last. It's not like always pun, once in every blue moon only bah. 

#3: A suite type room comes with a queen bed and a sofa bed


#4: The only issue we're facing - the see-through bathroom. How to bath leh?

#5: At last, we don't have to worry about the breakfast preparation cause the room we booked come with free breakfast 

iH Hotels Milano Ambasciatori 

Date Stayed: 20 October - 21 October 2018 (1 night)

Room Rate: RM603 per night for a suite room including breakfast 

Nearest Station: Anton Martin Metro Station Under Line 1

MILAN'S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS 

Since we only have less than 24 hours in Milan, we narrowed down our list and picked those important and not-to-be-missed top tourist attractions, such as: 

Duomo - No longer introduction needed for this as this Milan's main cathedral is the most Instagrammable spot in the city. Duomo is an enormous late Gothic church covered in white marble, with hundred of spires and thousands of statues on its exterior and a famous facade. One of the main reason why I booked the above-mentioned hotel is because it's very close to Duomo, the distance it's like 6 minutes of walking only. 

Nearest Subway Station: Duomo

#6: Duomo, Milan's main cathedral is indeed massive and enormous.

#7: But in reality, see the amount of people here. This is the consequences when we came here late.


#8: It's really hard to take photo with the Duomo without being photobombed.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele - The mother of all shopping malls which consists notable upscale boutique shops like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci. Situated just next to Duomo, this elegant and yet lively shopping mall designed in a splendid 19th century features a stunning mosaic floor and magnificent glass ceiling. The name Galleria is named after Victor Emanuele II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. 

#9: Italy's oldest active shopping mall and a major landmark of Milan.


#10: Trust me! These are not mine. Just for the sake of photos.


#11: Gelato - the only thing I afford to buy here.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery - By the time when we were there, this coffeehouse chain which is more upscale than the typical one just opened less than a month in public. Our bad because we went there late and the queue was pretty long, therefore we unable to enter and visit the newest attraction of Milan.  

#12: Overcrowded at Starbucks Reserve Roastery of Milan

Actually once we arrived Milan Central from Milan Bergamo Airport, immediately we took another bus heading straight to Il Centro Milano Shopping Center. What causing us to be in such a rush is because we want to visit Primark for the nth time. Primark, you keep making us want to spend for more and more! I thought that Primark can be found in most of the major cities of Europe but I was wrong. I never thought that there is only one Primark store in Milan and it located quite far away from city center. But promise is a promise. I promise both of my mom and cousin to go Primark for their final shopping before heading back to Malaysia. 

#13: One of our haul from Primark - 26 inch luggage for €25 (approx. to RM243). Not just cheap, but it's light and durable too. 

TOTAL DAMAGES OF MY SPENDING

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	€	RM
Airfare Madrid - Milan via RyanAir Accommodations iH Hotels Milano Ambasciatori – 1 night Transportation Uber to Madrid Airport Bus from Milan Bergamo Airport Bus to Il Centro (Round-trip) Taxi from Milan Central to hotel Taxi from hotel to Milan Central Airport bus to Milan Malpensa Food and drinks In Madrid Airport In Milan In Milan Airport Others Postcard & stamp Magnets YSL lipstick Snacks	44.67 - 10.00 5.00 5.00 6.67 5.67 8.00 1.60 14.70 5.23 3.00 14.00 31.05 4.50	219 201 49 24 24 32 28 39 8 71 25 15 68 151 22
TOTAL (RM)		976

Exchange Rate €1 = RM4.86 as at October 2018

Previous Posts on My UK & Europe Trip - October 2018

• Autumn in UK & Europe (Sneak Peek)
• A Repeat Trip To London With Oman Air
• 2 Days in Porto, Portugal
• Keep Safe & Stay Vigilant When Visiting Lisbon, Portugal
• Pena Palace of Sintra, Portugal
• Adeus Porto and Hola Barcelona!
• Park Guell - Gaudi's Iconic Park in Barcelona
• La Sagrada Familia - Gaudi's Unfinished Masterpiece
• Barcelona's Other Top Attractions
• Farewell Barcelona! And Our First Day In Madrid
• A Day Trip to Segovia From Madrid 
• A Day Trip to Seville - Royal Alcazar & Plaza de Espana
• Fourth Day in Madrid - Our Last & Final Day in Spain