My List of Memorable Spots

As I prepare to leave Milan, I have found myself reminiscing about all of the cool things I saw and did over the semester. Due to my internship, I worked on the weekends and wasn’t able to travel outside of Italy. This allowed me to really explore Milan, and a few other regions like Tuscany and Parma. I wanted to lay out a few of my favorite experiences here, because maybe you’ll be inspired to visit a few of these locations too. 

1. San Babila

An outdoor shopping mall with dozens of stores ranging from Lego to Diesel. Located between the Galleria and Corso Venezia, this area of Milan is near the Quadrilatero della Moda and functions as a major hub for fashion and streetwear.  

2. Bar Atlantic

A cafe/restaurant inside of the Esselunga grocery store in Famagosta. An affordable option for those looking for a quick bite to eat. I had to use this place a few times for lunch when my dining hall at Collegio was closed and it was delightful. My go-to order was a caprese sandwich with a side of chips and either a lemonade or a soda for under €10 euro. 

3. The Church of Saint Maurizio

A hidden gem across from the Museum of Civic Archeology, this church is covered head to toe in frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and Italian history. It has been nicknamed “The Sistine Chapel of Milan” because of its beautiful art. Entry is completely free, but make sure to wear appropriate clothing. It is respectful to wear clothing that is modest and doesn’t show a lot of skin. Additionally, hats or helmets are prohibited from being worn inside.  

4. Armani/Silos

Curated by Giorgio Armani himself before his death, this museum is currently hosting “Armani Prive 2005-2025.” Spanning back 20 years into his career, this exhibition features four floors of famous garments and a digital archive of sketches and patterns. This space is a testament to fashion as an art form and each piece in the collection is stunning. 

5. RimaRevo Gelateria 

A gelato chain located in Navigli. Handcrafted from natural ingredients, this gelateria is delicious. I went nearly every week. If you like sorbets, I would recommend their lampone (raspberry) flavor. 

6. Rizzoli Milano

This is a bookstore in the Milan Galleria. They have a huge international section with multiple genres in English, including YA, fantasy, sci-fi, literature, history, etc. 

7. Fattoria Poggio Alloro

On my trip to Tuscany, I visited this winery. Alongside four different wines to try, they served a massive lunch with multiple courses and snacks. Outside the main building, one can overlook the Italian countryside and even see the towers of the historical town San Gimignano. A swimming pool is available for use by those who are staying in the suites adjacent to the restaurant. The view is gorgeous and I was able to take some really aesthetic photos. 

8. Verona

Known as the city of love, Verona is a charming city worth visiting for the architecture and scenery alone. Famous for its connection to Romeo and Juliet, the town gets a lot of foot traffic around “Juliet’s balcony.” In my opinion, this is totally skippable, as the line gets long and it's a fake attraction designed to draw tourists in. Shakespeare never actually visited Verona, and there is so much more to do. The Verona Arena is a cool landmark, as it resembles the Roman Coliseum and hosts music festivals and concerts frequently. Narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets spit you out in front of beautiful gothic churches or pedestrian roads lined with shops. You really only need to spend a single day in the city to get its full effect, but it's wonderful. 

This list is only a handful of spots I saw while abroad, but it represents the most memorable. I hope you find the opportunity to take some time and travel, but don’t worry if you don’t. There is so much to see within Italy, and even within Milan itself. Have fun and experience new things!