Have a glass of italian wine!

A huge selection of italian wines from different Italy areas: Chianti, Bonarda, Dolcetto d'Alba, Nebbiolo, till the famous and prestigious Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino. You can taste all this wonderful italian wines in a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the "Sorsi e Morsi" wine bar in Via Giorgio Washington 92, Milan.

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Prices, obviously, change with the kind of wine you want to taste, but generally they're quite affordable and, if you get hungry, you can always ask for a dish of lasagne alla bolognese, or some cheese and cold cuts with nutty bread.

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How to get there: underground line 2, Sant'Agostino stop.

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Sorsi e Morsi - Via Giorgio Washington 92 - Milan - Italy
Open: every day till 2.00 am
Closed: Sunday on lunch
Tel: +39 02 89693830

Rent a room? Or rent a flat? For a couple of days? Or for your 12 monthes ERASMUS? It's an easy deal, with Easystanza

Dear Readers! Before continuing with this article, please note that we are NOT paid by hotels, restaurants and other services owners about which we write on Milan Low Cost! We just describe places and services which, in our opinion, could be useful, and/or interesting, and/or money saving.

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Why this disclaimer? Well, just because the thing I am going to write about in this post, it is so nice and wonderful and useful, that I fear my text could look as an advertisement ;).

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This "thing" it is an internet site, named Easystanza. It allows you to browse a large database of rooms and flats for rent, located in almost every Italian big town. Updated in real time, it puts in contact owners and (future) tenants.

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Actually, I belive this service is a global franchise (from Easyroommate) or something-like-that, but here we will speak about the Italian version. With over 30.000 ads in Italy, Easystanza offers a great solution for anybody looking for long-term small flat, or a room for the weekend, or a bed for a couple of weeks.

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The site is user friendly, with 12 languages to choose from. If you already got clear ideas, you can register and post you request, containing your preferencies, expense expectations, arrival details. In few minutes, (or hours, or days, for smaller towns with smaller accomodation marketplace), you will start reciveing proposals somehow coherent with your request.

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Or, if you want just to explore the market, you can start browsing availbale solutions in selected areas. Once you have choosen, you can contact flat owners by mail or by phone and discuss further details.

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Obviously, this service it is mainly made for middle/long term room rentals. So it'is perfect for ERASMUS students, workers, or simply people wishing to move from one place to another, not only for tourism.

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But, as You can see from the ads, many flat owners allow and incourage short terms staying and welcome travellers staying for a week or for a couple of nights. A nice opportunity to socialize and make new friends, going low cost!

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At the end, we wish give you an idea about Milan room rental prices. They are high, probably the highest in Italy, due to Milan status of economic and technologic capital...

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So, here we got some examples of Milan apartments for rent rates:

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- under 250 € / month: if you are very lucky, for this amount you can get a place in a double room, somewhre in the suburbs limbo, far from civilization and public trasnport system;

- 350 € / month: average price for a place in a double room in a students flat;

- 420 € / month: first price for a single room

- 550 €/ month: average place for a single room, not in Montenapoleone street, but in a decent zone, and/or near major universities;

- 700 € / month and higher: studios and mini-apartemnts....

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Average week fare for one single room: around 200€...

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Have a nice stay in Milan! We hope you can find your low cost solution, maybe with Easystanza...

Italian pasta and grilled meat for less than 20 €.

"Stop Grill" it's quite a new place, in the backyard of the busy Piazza Loreto, just at the corner of Milan's main shooping street Corso Buenos Aires. This roomy environment à la brasserie becomes full during lunch time, thanks to white collars from the nearby offices, but out of 12.30-14.00 pm hours, you will easily get a table.
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Here you will find pizzas from just 5 €uros, many first courses of the italian cuisine, like pasta, tagliatelle and gnocchi, starting at 4.5 €uros, and main courses, like cotoletta milanese and steaks from just 11 €. Portions are not very big, but, belive me, You will hardly find something cheaper in Milan.

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"Stop Grill" it is open full time from 06.00 a.m. to 01.00 a.m., so out of meal time you can just take a rest with an expresso or a glass of beer.

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How much: lunch under 20€

What: pizza, italina food, grilled meat, breakfasts

Where: via Annibale Caretta, Milan east side (underground Green and Red lines, Loreto station + 90,91,93 buses)
When: 06.00 a.m. - 01.00 a.m.
Credit cards: not accepted
Contact: just walk in
Booking: no

Hostel AIG Piero Rotta, Milan. Beds from 20 €.

Hostel Piero Riotta is probably one of the cheapest accomodation solutions in Milan, with bed-places in 6 people dorms starting from 20 € / night.

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Located in Milan's west side, the hostel is not very far from two red line underground stations: Lotto and QT8. Reception it is open 24/7, but the rooms must be left at 9.30 a.m. of the departure day.

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As this is one of the most affordable locations in Milan, please book in advance. Their reservation page is available in several languages and it is very user friendly.

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Hostel Piero Riotta, via Salmoiraghi corner via Calliano, Milan

Rates: bed in dorm from 20 €uros night
Getting there: underground red line QT8 and Lotto, buses 90, 91, 68

Contact info: Tel. +39 0239267095 / Fax +39 0233000191 / mail milano@ostellionline.org

www: http://www.ostellomilano.it/

Italian food or nouvelle cuisine? The name is no matter when you can eat tasty dishes for just 9 euros!

Trattoria "Il Glicine" (The Wistaria), it's a small and friendly restaurant, hidden in the eastern district of Città Studi (Milan's main college campus). Just 35 tables for 60 eaters, and a nice garden, which makes this place perfect during spring and summer monthes.

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Interesting and fresh dishes, and a fairly good wine list, are offered for a very competitive price: 27 €uros à la carté for your dinner, and only 9 €uros for lunch menu. And after your meal you can enjoy the many pubs and bars of this young, university district or simply have a nap in the nearby Piazza Leonardo da Vinci public garden.

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How much: 9 - 27 €
What: italian food and creative fusion with provance flavours
Where: via Francesco Lomonaco 13, Milan (just out Piola green line underground station)
When: open Monday - Friday + Saturday night. Closed on Monday night, Sunday, Saturady lunch time
Credi cards: not accepted
Contact: +39.02.26684156 - http://www.trattoriailglicine.it/
Booking: recommended

Hotel Nuovo Marghera - 3 stars - 55 Euros

Hotel Nuovo Marghera is the perfect solution for those who come in Milan for an event or an exposition in the Fiera. Situated close to the structure of the Fiera, this welcoming hotel offers 45 rooms with every comfort: air conditioning, mini-bar, Tv sat and Wi-Fi connection to internet.

Via Marghera is an historical street of Milan, where you can taste one of the best ice-cream in the whole city.

Rates: rooms from 55 €uros per night.

How to get there: underground line 1, Wagner stop.

Hotel Nuovo Marghera
Via Marghera, 2 - Milan - Italy
Tel: +39 02 4814321
Fax: +39 02 4816043
Web: http://hotel-marghera.com/
E-mail: info@hotel-marghera.com

Wednesday at "Maga Furla": students and 3 €uros beer...

The Maga Furla (wich litteraly means "Furla the enchantress") is a young cozy pub located near the Bicocca University in Milan. Usually frequented by university students in their brave nights, the Maga Furla is a fresh place, where you can meet interesting people: socializing becames easier after the first beer...!

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Every Wednesday the beer costs just 3 €uros.

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Recommended: the Peroni doppio malto is a tasty italian strong ale, not so easy to find...try it!

Maga Furla Pub
Closed: Sunday
Address: Via Roberto Cozzi, 50 - Milan - Italy
Tel:+39 02 89059657
Email: magafurla@fastwebnet.it

GAM - The Modern Art Gallery in Milan

Created with donations made by rich milanese collectors, the Modern Art Gallery, together with the Brera museum, the Triennale and the Permanente, is one of the most rapresentative places for art in Milan.

Visiting the GAM you can have an interesting overview of the evolution of italian modern art, watching paintings of artists like Pellizza Da Volpedo, Severini, De Chirico, Morandi, Carrà, Sironi, Fontana, Manzoni and many others.

Ah, I was forgetting... the entrance is absolutely free!

GAM - Gallery of Modern Art
Via Palestro, 16 (underground line 1, Palestro stop) - Milan - Italy

Opening: from Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00 am - 5.30 pm
Tel. +39 02 76002819

Typical italian food for less than 25 Euros at the "Osteria dei vecchi sapori"

"Osteria dei vecchi sapori" letterary means "Tavern of old savours", and this it what you will find in this cozy small restaurant located near Garibaldi rail station. The place is inside the Isola district - some yeras ago a semi-abandoned reidential area in northern Milan, and now a place with a high density of bars, pubs, trandy cafes and craft shops which surely deserves a visit.
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You will taste traditional milanese and northern Italy cuisine in a friendly and young environment. Dishes change on seasonal basis, but the highest quality level, natural ingredients and very low prices are always guaranted!

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How much: 23 €

What: italian regional food

Where: via Carmagnola 3, Milan (near Garibaldi rail station and Garibaldi underground station)

When: open Monday - Friday + Saturday night. Closed Sunday, Saturady lunch time

Credi cards: Amex, VISA, Diners

Contact: +39 02.6686148 - http://www.vecchisapori.it/

Booking: recommended

Low cost rates on Atlantic routes thanks to the "Open sky" agreement

In just one week the UE-USA Open sky agreement will go into effect. This will create an (almost) unrestricted air-routes market between Unites States and European Union. American companies will be allowed to fly in every destination in Europe and european airlines will become more competitive in amercian market.

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After 15 years long negotiations, the sky over Atlantic it's ready to become more free and.... much more cheap! Not only Lufthansa and British Airways, but also Ryanair and many USA low cost companies are planning to expand their network.

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Not only USA and Europe will become much closer, but the low cost fares will allow to many budget travellers to explore the beauties of the New and the Old worlds. Obviolusly, Milan with its three airports will be a perfect destination for low cost traffic from the US!

Rent a car in Milan

Milan it's a busy city, with strong traffic during weekdays and parcking problems in the city centre. Probably, a car it's not the best way to move around here. But, if you have choosen an hotel far from the downtown, if you plan a visit to the suburbs, or simply wish to enjoy a full independence from public trasnport - renting a car could be a good (and also budget) solution.

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If you are alone, or a couple without bulky luggage, we definitly suggest you SIXTI low cost car rent. For just 14.99 €uros / day you will be given a Mercedes-Smart Fot Two vehicle, all taxes included and 100 km/day included (excess milege 0.14 €/km). Otherwise you can opt for their "senior" offer - a Fiat, Ford or Peugeot four-seater with rates starting at 28.99 €uros / day.

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You can find SIXTI offices at Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate and Milan Bergamo Airports, or in the city centre at Porta Romana street, Milan Railway central station, and Viele Sarca street. Book in advance, because, like for every low cost, rates can change significantly.

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Another good option for budget car rent in Italy it's offered by "Cars For Less" internet site. Actually this is not a car rent company, but a web crawler which seeks for you the most convenient offers available.

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I used their service several times and have been always satisfied with their fleet and prices. Booking a couple of weeks in advance, you can easily find a four-seater vehicle for just 30-32 €uros / day, with all taxes and unlimited mileage included.

Hotel Greco - 2 stars - 55 Euros

Hotel Greco is a new structure situated in the "Bicocca" area, northern Milan. Located near the new Arcimboldi Theater, Bicocca University and Niguarda Hospital the hotel offers 10 comfortable and modern single, double and triple bedrooms.
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Hotel Greco can be an interesting accomodation for university students during their first days in "Erasmus" or small groups of budget travellers.
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Rates: rooms from 55 Euros per night, per room.
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Hotel Greco - Via Giuseppe Ugolini, 21 - Milan - Italy
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For info and reservation:
Tel: +39 02 6424403
Website: http://www.hotelgrecomilano.it/ (under construction)

Hotel Lido - 3 stars - 60 Euros

Located a few minutes on foot from the old Milan exhibition center, the best value for money hotel Lido in Milan offers modern accommodations in the west-central area of the city. Well served by public transport (Underground line 1 station Lotto it's one minute walk), this hotel it's perfect for business and leisure travellers.

Every room offers: air conditioning, phone, fast internet, mini-bar and satellite TV set.

Rates from 60 Euros per night, per double room. Book in advance, as there are only 27 rooms.

Hotel Lido - Via Riccardo Galli, 8 - Milan - Italy

Contacts and reservation at:
TEL +39.02.33000420
FAX +39.02.39211429
info@lidohotelmilano.com

Panettone: one of Milan's symbols

Panettone, litteraly "the big bread" it's the undisputed king of Milan's confectionery, usually prepared and enjoyed for Christmas and New Year around Italy, and one of the symbols of the city.

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It has a cupola shape which extends from a cylindrical base and is usually about 12-15 cm high for a 1 kg panettone. It contains candied orange, citron and lemon zest, as well as raisins, which are added dry and not soaked. The origins of this cake appear to be ancient, dating back to the Roman Empire, as ancient Romans sweetened a type of leavened bread with honey.

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The word "panettone" derives from the Italian word "panetto," a small loaf bread. The augmentative Italian suffix "-one" (pronounced "o-neh") changes the meaning to "large bread."

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Panettone it is not only a tasty sweet, but also a nice, although a bit bulky souvenir. As it is a seasonal item, it can be hard finding during summer monthes, but from the middle of November to the end of January you will see piles of panettoni in every supermarket and pastry-shop.

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Prices can range from 1.5 € for a discount, no logo product, to 50 € for top-class sweets in the city centre pastry-shops. Hards discounts from January's first week.

Thanks to: Wikipedia

Milan planetarium "Ulrico Hoepli": for those who have their head in the clouds

Who said that in Milan is unpossible to watch the stars? In the planetarium Ulrico Hoepli, situated inside the Indro Montanelli garden, almost every evening since 1930 you can take a look to the sky and watch stars, planets and galaxies.

A planetarium is a projection system that reproduces with great realism and suggestion the appearance of the sky and the astronomical wonders visible from every place in the world in every era.

The planetarium Ulrico Hoepli is located in Corso Venezia 57 c/o the Indro Montanelli Garden.

Tel. 02 88463340 (mon-fri 9.00-12.00 am)

Ticket: 3 €uros.

How to get there: underground line 1 (red), Palestro stop.

Nearby: Natural History Museum, Paleolab, Biolab.

Affordable hotels in Milan

Milan's hotels prices are generally high. This is mainly due to the traditional kind of Milan's guest: business visitors. Rooms are very requested during major fairs and exhibitions, but often empty during other periods. Just consider that there is a plenty of two-star and some three-star hotels that are closed in August...

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With the development of low cost flights, a new kind of travellers is arriving in Milan: young people groups, families, and senior couples. During weekends, they are rapidly transforming the less turistic italian city in a thirving and vivacious destination.

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Often, the biggest problem is that after have spent 20 €uros for a return Ryanair or Easyjet ticket, they have to leave 100 €uros or more for one night staying, in hotels far from being luxury.

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Milan Low Cost team will search for you affordable solutions, for a pleasant staying without spending a fortune. Keep an eye on our "hotels within 90€" and ""hotels within 50€" categories.

Just 19€ / night: apartments in Milan can be a good deal.

Old town apartments service, well known to many travellers across Europe, presents several solutions in Milan, starting from 76 €/night, according their site. What offers OTA? Flats and apartments in the city center, on short and very-short term basis (you can stay just for one night). No reception, no breakfast, no daily cleaning. But you will get towels, sheets and a completely equipped kitchen.

Book on line, once in Milan visit their office, pay, take your keys and it's done: you are a milanese now.

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At first glance, 76 Euros could be seen as quite a high price, but considering that this is a a pro-flat rate, and that you don't have to pay (at least sometimes...) for extra guests, if you are travelling in a small group of four, this offers becomes interesting and very competitive, at just 19 €/night/person. Add the convenience of living in a real house and think to all restaurant expences you can avoid!

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Book in advance, as apartments are limited.

Milan by air: low cost, obviously. Chapter 1

The capital of Lombardy it's well connected by several low-cost airlines to dozens of european cities, and also a growing number of destinations in Northern Africa and Middle East. Thanks to its three airports, Milan can be considered the biggest low-cost italian hub. Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling, AirBerlin, Meridiana, TuiFly, Germanwings and many more fly here on daily basis moving thousands of business travellers, tourists and backpackers. In this post we'll speak about Milan's main airgate - Malpensa International.

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The biggest and busiest Milan's airport, located 48km north the city centre, it's mainly dedicated to traditional and charter flights, connecting Northern Italy to intercontinental destinations and touristic paradises worldwide. But, although not properly a low-cost gateway, in its Terminal 2, Malpensa hosts two heavyweighters: Easyjet and Volareweb. As you can see, their networks make Malpensa, above all, a good starting point for travellers directed to Southern Italy and Eastern Europe:

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Easyjet offers connections to: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Bari, Berlin-Schönefeld, Bristol, Brussels [Starts 18 June 2008], Bucharest-Otopeni, Cagliari, Catania, Edinburgh, Ibiza, London-Gatwick, Lisbon, Madrid, Malaga, Marrakech, Mykonos [Starts 10 June 2008] Naples, Olbia, Palermo, Palma de Mallorca [Starts 20 June 2008], Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Prague.

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Volareweb flies to: Alghero, Athens, Brindisi, Cagliari, Helsinki [Starts 24 July 2008], Heraklion, Ibiza [Starts 21 July 2008], Krakow, Lamezia Terme, Ljubljana [begins May 6], Łódź, Malaga, Malta, Olbia [Starts 22 July 2008], Palma de Mallorca [Starts 21 July 2008], Paris-Orly, Pescara, Porto, Rhodes [Starts 26 July 2008],Timisoara, Warsaw [begins April 4], Wroclaw.

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Malpensa Airport is connected to the city center by one rail-express and several bus services. The train shuttle is quite efficient, but very expensive, with one-way tickets starting at 11 Euros (13,5 if purchased on board). Moreover, rail station is located in terminal 1, so, if landed in terminal 2, you will need to take the free shuttle-bus (rides every 20 min.).

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Buses are defenitly the cheapest solution. One-way ticket to Milan will cost you 6 euros, luggage included, and it takes about 50 minutes to the city centre. There is also a regular service to Milan Linate airport (10 euros) and to Turin.

Jazz and beer every tuesday for 5 €uros!

You’re a jazz lover but you’re scared by the 30 €uros standard of the Blue Note Milan? You just got in Milan with your trumpet and you’re looking for a jam? Don’t worry, Milan has a lot to offer to your hears and your soul at a very reasonable price!

Every Tuesday evening at the Fermento Art n’ Pub in Via Ugoni, 18 the best jam session in town is waiting for you, with all the greatest jazz musicians of the Milanese scene, just like Tullio Ricci, one of the best tenor sax in Italy.

The entrance is FREE and, if you get thirsty, for 5 €uros you can drink a pint of the special beer brewed by the owners of the pub.

Fermento Art n' Pub is located in Via Ugoni, 18 in the zone of Milan known as Bovisa. You can get there by underground line 1, stop Maciachini.

Luini Panzerotti: “slow food” in five minutes!

All the taste and pleasure of italian typical finger food is set under the Duomo. Located in Via S. Radegonda 16, on the right side of the Duomo, Luini offers one of the most exciting taste sensation in all Milan at a very low price.

For just 3,50 euros, in this little bakery right in the center of Milan, you can taste the famous italian panzerotto: a bag of dough filled with typical mediterannean ingredients and deep fried.
The most demanded panzerotto is, beyond all doubt, the classical one, stuffed with mozzarella cheese and tomato. Together with this, many others kind of panzerotti are available, varying also according to the season: ham, pesto and small tomatoes, cottage cheese and spinaches, eggplant, etc.

In Milan the name Luini is synonymous of quality food, but not only in Milan...also in London, where you can find a Luini Bakery at 35 Theobalds Road!

Opening hours: Mon 10 am – 3 pm / Tue-Sat 10 am – 8 pm.

During Christmas time the bakery is open also on Sunday.

Summer closing in August.

Maybe we don't speak Oxford English, but We breathe Milan air everyday!

A world class pizza in Milan's east end area

You will hardly find it on travel guides, probably neither on Lonely Planet pages. But the small "Pizza Mundial 2" take-away, located in Milan's east area, is well known to generations of Milan Politecnico University students, commuter workers waiting for train connections, and many Milan's underground green line passengers.

Long before you can see the tiny window, you will feel olive oil, onion and anchovy aroma - typical flavours of a simple and genuine cuisine. Inside you will find a dozen types of tasty pizza and focaccia, well made, well served, and at very reasonable prices.

The place is small: just choose, pay and get out, but this is not a problem. Want to eat seated? Just across the road you will find several benches in the small round Bottini square. Otherwise, you could reach Milano Lambrate rail station platforms, where free drinkable water and romantic views over trains directed to Venice, Tuscany and Rome are guaranteed...

Strategically located in front of Milan Lambrate rail station, "Pizza Mundial" it's easily reachable from city centre (15 min underground ride) and it's the perfect place to restore every backpacker's forces, before a long train voyage.

Where: Milan, Piazza Bottini; Underground station - "Milano Lambrate FS"; public transport N. 33, 23, 54, 93; Lambrate FS rail station;

What: pizza, pizza and pizza;

Opening hours: 9.00 a.m. - 23 p.m.;

Estimated cost/person: 3,5 €;

Hit: try the "focaccia genovese": tastes good, and often sold with "take 3 & pay 2 formula":

Beware: Splugen beer sold inside: better a glass of water, or a bottle of table wine from nearby supermarket (50 mt far, down the first right hand street); panzerotti - a hard game for your liver.

Maybe we don't speak Oxford English, but we breathe Milan air everyday!

La Cordata Hostel: a cheap accomodation in the heart of Milan

La Cordata Hostel is a cheap and comfortable accomodation in a central area of the city.This welcoming hostel in Milan is well connected to all the most interesting sites in the city with efficient public transport networks.

Nearby attractions: Duomo, Teatro Alla Scala, Cenacolo (Leonardo's Last Supper), Brera, Basilica of S. Ambrogio.

Rates: from € 21 to € 25 per night per person, reservation suggested.Sheets, blankets, use of self catering kitchen, internet point are included in the price.

You can easily reach the hostel from all main places of the city:
From Central Station: take Metro line 3 (yellow line), stop in Missori, take Corso Italia and catch tram n. 15 (direction Gratosoglio/Rozzano) for two stops;
From Linate Airport: take bus n. 73 in Corso Europa/San babila, walk to Piazza Fontana and catch tram n.15 for 4 stops;
From Duomo: reach Piazza Fontana and catch tram n. 15 for 4 stops;
From Malpensa Airport: catch Malpensa Express, get off in Cadorna Station, catch bus n. 94, get off in Molino delle Armi street/ and turn in Santa Croce streetcatch Malpensa Shuttle, get off in Central station, take Metro line 3 (yellow line), stop in Missori, take Corso Italia and catch tram n. 15 (direction Gratosoglio/Rozzano) for two stops.

La Cordata Hostel - Via Burigozzo, 11 - 20122 - Milan
Tel: +39 02.58.31.46.75
Tel: +39 02.58.30.31.32
Fax: +39 02.58.30.35.98
E-mail: ostello@lacordata.it
Website: http://www.lacordata.it/accomodation/o_burigozzo_en/home.htm.

Maybe we don't speak Oxford English, but We breathe Milan air everyday!

Not only fashion boutiques: Milan it's a cozy destination also for low budget travellers

Worldwide known as the capital of Italian style, Milan is often considered only just a shopping-travel destination, suitable for Russian nouveau riches, Japanese fashion victims and members of the Saudi real family.

This is true, but it's not all the story. Milan offers much for art and architecture enthusiasts, for italian food lovers and for night life addicted too. Its 7 universties are home for almost 200.000 students and in its neighbourhood you'll find such natural wonders like Como's lake and historical towns like Pavia.
We should admit, that The Big Milan's problem are its prices. Fashion and business oriented hotels can rarely offer one night stay under 70 €/person. Restaurants are delicious, but be prepared to leave 40 Euros for a pasta and "cotoletta milanese" if you are in downtown. And while ordering a cocktail in a trendy bar, don't expect bargains: 15 Euros for a mojito it's the rule.
Scared? ;) Well, according to an old italian saying - "the evil is not as bad, as people describe it". "Milan low cost" team will find you cozy accomodation solutions for reasonable prices; good food you won't pay a fortune; transport system information without considering taxi cabs; clubs to visit, and others to avoid....... and much more!!!

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Maybe we don't speak Oxford English, but We breathe Milan air everyday! ;)