THE HAPPIEST OF HOURS

During two glorious hours, usually between 7:00 and 9:00 PM, Milanesi gather and unwind after a day of work, indulging in pre-dinner cocktails and snacks. Experience life like a local and learn all about the well established tradition of aperitivi on a sunset meeting with your guide. This welcome drink offers visitors the chance to snatch a sneak preview of Italian culture and lifestyle and explore the city’s favourite foodie haunts.

After a long journey and the hassle of unpacking, what better way to begin your stay in Milan than with a welcome toast and a friendly tête-à-tête with a local? Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby and spend two hours with you enjoying an aperitivo and showing you where to soak up the city’s movida. Depending on your hotel location and the day of the week, your guide will select the best area for an evening drink and chat allowing you to gain a glimpse of the Milanese way of life. Popular happy hour spots include wineries along the Navigli canals, city centre cocktail bars and the pubs near the San Lorenzo colonnade.

Order a glass of wine, prosecco or a cocktail then help yourself to a rich buffet. Tasty highlights might consist of potato chips, olives, fresh mozzarella, pasta and rice dishes, sushi, pizza, cheese, bruschette, mixed salads, vegetables and cured meats. Then sit down for a chat with your guide and spend the evening mapping out popular eating and drinking destinations together with famous cultural attractions. Besides indicating where Milan’s iconic landmarks are situated – such as the Duomo, the Sforza Castle, the Brera district, La Scala Theatre and the main shopping streets – and giving directions on how to reach them, your city expert will highlight the map with local hangouts, including the best restaurants, ice cream parlours, pastry shops, wineries and other delectable destinations most tourists will never get to try. You will also receive practical information on your hotel surroundings, like nearby drugstores, ATM machines, pharmacies and emergency numbers. Your guide will give you advice on how to purchase bus tickets and the closest underground stations to reach various monuments and points of interest. Phone numbers of local taxi companies will also be provided as well as one or two words of Italian so you can get around places independently.

This orientation aperitivo will give you a head start and a chance to answer all your queries, ensuring a comfortable, stress-free stay. Well then, Benvenuti a Milano and enjoy your holiday!