Milan Should Be at the Top of Your 2022 Travel List: Here’s Why

With travel restrictions around the world set to ease and COVID-19 cases down in many countries, 2022 is the perfect time to get back to traveling for fun and visit a new destination. More than 2.7 million passengers use U.S. airports each day to begin or end a vacation, heading to places around the world. If you are hoping to be one of them in the New Year, but aren’t sure where to visit, here are some reasons to consider Milan as the destination for your next vacation.

Experience the Original Happy Hour

Having a cocktail in the afternoon just feels more sophisticated when it’s done in an Italian café with the sun setting in the background. Milan is the original place where people first embraced the idea of the aperitivo, the Italian take on happy hour, back in the 1920s. Many locals will stop into a bar or café on the way home from work to grab a snack and a drink before starting their evening. There is typically something for everyone on offer, from the 41% of alcohol drinkers who say beer is their favorite to those that prefer a glass of wine. In addition to drinks, a normal aperitivo includes a selection of cured meats, olives, crackers, cheese, and other finger foods for sampling. It’s a great way to get the authentic feeling of being in Milan and mix and mingle with locals.

Ride The Retro Style Trams

Riding a tram to get around isn’t just stylish, it’s also safe. In some cases, it’s safer than using a car. In the United States, there are more than 5,891,000 motor vehicle accidents in an average year. Part of the reason for this is the lack of public transportation in many places, leading people to use cars to travel even a short distance. Many people in Milan choose to minimize their risk of being in a collision and how much they contribute to global warming by riding the signature yellow tram. It’s safe and affordable and as you ride all over town, you get to see many parts of the city. Not to mention, you standing in front of the bright yellow tram makes for an iconic Instagram photo that is definitely a souvenir of Milan. You can also use the subway system, which reaches many of the city’s iconic locations.

See Amazing Architecture and Historical Sites

Milan has a long and storied history in politics, fashion, and architecture, and the museums in the city showcase well-known works from master artists like Leonardo Da Vinci. But you don’t have to visit a museum to see examples of art in this city, as it is all around. The Santa Maria delle Grazie church is a stunning example of Renaissance-style architecture that must be seen in person to be believed. There is also the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a partially enclosed open-air shopping center with beautifully painted murals, elaborate architecture, and exquisite glasswork. There is even a vertical forest planted along the side of the apartment buildings in the city, called Bosco Vertical. You’ll see trees, shrubs, and other plants all growing along the sides of the walls in an effort to increase bio-diversity and replace some of the foliage that the development of homes and businesses has taken out over the years.

If you’re longing to visit a world-class European city but want to avoid crowds of tourists, Milan is a perfect choice. You can visit cathedrals, museums, and historic sites without dealing with the overcrowding of Paris or London.