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A few steps EN PLEIN AIR 20
The area housing
from Milan... the abbeys is also the 9
heart of the large Parco 7 3
Milan is a mixture of art, culture, Agricolo Sud Milano (www. 30km 4
shopping and lifestyle and its parcoagricolosudmilano. it).
outlying areas are equally attractive. The Park boasts a rich historic 6 5
Discover our pick of these fabulous and agricultural heritage and
destinations for an unmissable out- comprises old farmsteads, waterways
of-town trip. By Simona P.K. Daviddi and important residential complexes,
including Gaggiano 7 , which, with its small,
Our tour begins on the outskirts of Milan pastel-coloured houses nestling on both banks
at the 17th-century Villa Arconati 1 of the Naviglio Grande, is well worth a visit. This thousand works of art hosted in its 5,000 sq.m.
(www.villaarconati-far.it). Known also as charming hamlet can be accessed from the city For lovers of the history of aviation and of
‘the small Versailles of Lombardy’, it is set via a scenic bicycle track skirting the canal. The the industries that turned the dream of flight
within the vast green spaces of the Groane Martesana Canal also offers views of rare beauty into reality, the Volandia Park and Museum
Park in Bollate. This is a splendid example of as it flows towards the Adda river. Rural centres 12 (www.volandia.it) narrates the epic tale of
Lombardy Baroque architecture and visitors are interspersed with expanses of greenery (an aeronautics in all its forms, from the pioneering
are welcomed in its frescoed rooms, while absolute must is a visit to the Adda Park which flights of the beginning of the 20th century,
summer evenings are jazzed up with a series can also be crossed by bike or on horseback) and up to the futuristic convertiplane, from hot-air
of concerts and events in its magnificent charming urban centres, including Crespi d’Adda balloons to the conquest of space along over 2
gardens. We recommend a visit to the 8 , a late 19th-century workers’ village built up km of exhibition. Discover its flight simulators,
Villa Visconti Borromeo Litta 2 (www. around a textiles factory and a UNESCO world planetarium, aircraft models, Ogliari section,
villalittalainate.it) which is just a short distance heritage site (www.villaggiocrespi.it). However, library, movies, bar, restaurant and a rich
away in Lainate. This neo-classical jewel of Milan is not only renowned for its canals. Lying on Volandia Store.
architecture is surrounded by a lovely park
the outskirts of the city, just behind the airport of
PHOTOS © ANDREA CHERCHI Historical Park in Italy’ in 2016. The Villa is lake set within green surroundings (www. As with every ‘city on the move’, Milan is
that earned the title of the ‘Most Beautiful
WHAT’S NEW
Linate, we find the Idroscalo 9 , a large artificial
renowned for its Nyphaeum and spectacular
constantly enriched with new attractions.
idroscalo.info). The area offers all types of facilities
water features. A mixture of sacred and
Two in particular deserve a special mention.
including jogging, horseback riding and bicycle
Poolside Happy Hour profane – the Metropolitan City area is paths, boat, canoe and pedalò hire, recreational The first is found in the area that hosted Expo
interspersed with numerous abbeys. In fact,
in 2015 and which has now become MIND
fishing and even rugby pitches.
there are so many that there is even a Road
of Abbeys (www.stradadelleabbazie.it). Our A DAY DEVOTED TO CULTURE Milano (Milano Innovation District) 13 (www.
mindmilano. it), a four thousand square metre
route starts from the Abbey of Chiaravalle 3 If the weather’s gloomy, don’t despair! This is a park where visitors can attend performances,
, dominated by an imposing, richly frescoed great opportunity to visit a museum! Perhaps concerts and sporting events.
14th-century bell tower, and continues a historic one like the Alfa Romeo Museum 10 The second innovation is Milan’s latest
If you want to cool down and a printing works, and was part of the current >> www.teatrofrancoparenti.it onwards to the Abbey of Viboldone 4 , (www.museoalfaromeo.com) in Arese, formerly attraction dedicated to skydiving.
escape the Milanese heat, you headquarters of the adjacent Teatro Franco Via Carlo Botta, 18 one the most beautiful medieval complexes home to the prestigious factory. This museum Aero-Gravity 14, the biggest freefall simulator
T: 02 89731800. Map G6
Parenti. In addition to the two original pools,
should head to this beautifully- which have been completely restructured, the in Lombardy, until we reach Mirasole 5 has six floors of models that have made motoring in the world, has opened in Pero. This is
, a 13th-century monastery which, with its
restored former 1930s lido complex boasts a tennis court, and a large numerous moats, resembles a fortress. After history, as well as prototypes and memorabilia. a sophisticated contraption, designed to
Another must-visit option is the MA*GA Museum
overcome the force of gravity and support
where you can swim, sunbathe terrace, plus a bar and restaurant, surrounded travelling for a few more kilometers, in a 11 (www.museomaga.it) in Gallarate, halfway flight, offering visitors (children from 4 years)
or relax on the lawn. by greenery, thanks to the paths shaded by southwesterly direction, we come to the between Malpensa Airport and Milan, one of the thrill of experiencing what it feels like to
flowers and creepers planted along both its Abbey of Morimondo 6 , a former Cistercian the most important contemporary art museum jump from an airplane at an altitude of 4,500
BY CHIARA ZACCARELLI borders. Excluding summer, its changing rooms monastery renovated in Gothic style. in Italy. It houses a collection of more than six metres (www.aerogravity.it).
are used to host workshops, exhibitions and
events. The Bagni Misteriosi complex, named
agni Misteriosi’ (The Mysterious Baths), after the famous work by Giorgio de Chirico
is an evocatively named complex that is on display at the Museo del Novecento, is a
‘Ba part of the artistic and historic heritage peaceful haven in the heart of Milan. You can
of the city of Milan, located in the city’s vibrant cool off in its two large pools from June to the
Porta Romana district. Its structure is that of the end of September, all day and in the evenings
former Centro Balneare Caimi, which dates back on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 11pm.
to the 1930s, and has been painstakingly restored, There is a pool for adults, with a depth ranging
with the two large pools and surrounding spaces from 1.25 to 1.70m, with several lanes for
returned to their original splendour. This complex freestyle swimming, and one for children, with
was originally conceived as a multi-purpose space a depth ranging from 60 to 90cm). You can also Museo Alfa Romeo Aero-Gravity
with sports facilities, including rooms for boxing indulge in the quintessential, strictly barefoot
and fencing, a doctor’s office, a library and even aperitivo ritual from 7pm to 11pm.
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