Amigo, Amigo! Malpensa Este?

The lovely well-suited man rushing and asking was obviously European but just as lost as we are in Milan. I gotta make this quick because my bambini is about to wake up. Here my dear readers, is your cheat sheet.

1. Milan has two airports, the Linate and Malpensa.Your travel agent could be asking if you want your hotel near Malpensa which is more than an hour drive away from the city. We chose the city center hotel and to sum it up, it was more expensive than our hotel in Venice or Rome. But then, we walked our way all around Milan. If you choose near Malpensa, you could be staying in a 5-star hotel for the same price and be near the famous San Siro Stadium, home to the successful soccer club, AC Milan. So depending on your interest and your next destination, give your hotel choice a thought.

2. You can reach Milan by train or plane. If you are coming from Venice, take the train again from Sta. Lucia Venezia and it will be a two hour-ride. The Milan Central Station is huge and impressive and I so, so regret not having taken a single photo. We were in a hurry for a scheduled viewing aaargh so prepare your camera even if you have a plane to catch.

3. Finding a taxi station is easy but I suggest you learn how the Milan subway works if you are staying for a couple of days. Traffic is just too much in Milan.

4. I highly recommend Hotel Fenice. Again, I do not have a single photo because Hubby and I were drinking beer half the the time we were in Milan hihiihh. Never had so much beer in my entire life! It was our last stop and having traveled so far, we just wanted to savor our lovely hotel room. Ours was huge with a balcony. The staff were friendly and very accommodating. We arrived earlier  than the check-in time but  our rooms were ready. During breakfast, they always offer to make a cup of hot chocolate for our bambini.

Hotel Fenice had the perfect location between posh shopping district and high street. stores. There is subway station right in front of the doorstep. Across the street is a taxi stand. Opposite the taxi stand is Milan's biggest public garden. It was like Dubai convenience all over again - minus the scorching sun. 

5. Lastly, when you go to Malpensa International Airport, take a cab to Milan Central Train Station. There in front, are shuttle buses called Malpensa Express. It leaves every 20 minutes. You pay around 7 Euro per person. The bus ride is about one hour.

Now for the question about shopping trip, no I did not do any retail therapy in Milan. Hubby, like the generous husband that he is all the time, told me to go shopping but I said NO for three reasons.

1. I was already planning our next holiday destination three years from now.

2. Whatever retail store I saw there - luxury or high street were also available in Dubai. I also think that the window displays in the Fashion Avenue of The Dubai Mall are even more grandiose. However, the advantage is that products of giant Italian houses such as Gucci were sold for a lower price compared to what we pay here in Dubai. But then I already have my Vernis Alma.

3. The photos and memories of walking in the rain, getting lost, and making out with the boy I love most in three world-famous cities is incomparable with the entire House of Armani.