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The agenda can be overwhelming, so to help you make the most of it we spoke with some seasoned experts who offer insider tips on everything from transportation to entertainment. Javiera Del R\u00edo, general manager of Open Dark<\/a>, a lighting company in Santiago, Chile, attends Milan Design Week<\/a> every year, as does Francois Pellan, a designer for Arik Levy<\/a> in Paris. Fulvio Fratti is a Vibia sales representative born and raised in Milan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Best Areas to Stay <\/strong><\/p>\n Del Rio recommends accommodations close to the subway\u2019s red (M) or blue (S) lines as those routes go to the Fiera fairgrounds<\/a>. Pellan prefers staying in Chinatown<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u201cquiet and convenience\u201d\u2013 while Fratti suggests considering nearby Como<\/a> or Bergamo<\/a>. \u201cThey are nice towns and not far from Milan,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Getting Around Milan <\/strong><\/p>\n How you choose to move about the city is critical because of the large crowds. All of our experts advise public transportation or walking, and Fratti\u2019s preferred order is 1) walking, 2) subway, and 3) bike sharing. He also suggests taking the historic tram. \u201cThe technical name of the old model is \u2018Series 1500 Carrelli,\u2019 some of which were built in 1928 and are still working well,\u201d he says. \u201cThere is also a Carrelli that serves as a traveling restaurant where you can eat good food and drink great wine while touring the center of Milan by night.\u201d<\/p>\n Purchasing subway tickets<\/a> can mean long lines, so Del Rio buys one-day passes, while Fratti gets his during off-peak hours in the subway or at less-crowded newspaper kiosks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Traveling to Salone <\/strong><\/p>\n Our experts urge taking the subway to and from Rho Feira<\/a>\u00a0\u2013or the train, if there is a subway strike. Del Rio and Pellan suggest arriving and leaving 30-40 minutes before opening and closing to beat the morning rush at the booths and to avoid the crush of subway passengers returning to Milan in the evening.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Navigating Salone <\/strong><\/p>\n Wearing comfortable footwear is key, according to our team, as is dressing in layers. \u201cThe best option for your feet will always be sneakers,\u201d says Del Rio. \u201cAnd choose clothing you can take off and keep in a backpack, but nothing too heavy so it doesn\u2019t become a load to carry during the day.\u201d<\/p>\n When it comes to organizing her time, Del Rio makes sure her first few days are spent visiting the brands and booths she\u2019s most interested in, plotting her route through the fair depending on where they are located. The last few days she uses to visit anything that happened to catch her eye early on. Pellan prioritizes his customers, then the big brands, and, lastly, the smaller brands with intriguing potential. Fratti\u2019s tried and true method? \u201cI rely on long, preliminary study of a map. Or my favorite way: Totally random.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rather than collecting catalogues \u2013heavy and easy to lose, according to Pellan\u2013 they pick up business cards and use their iPhones for note taking and photos. \u201cI put a brochure in my backpack if it really catches my attention,\u201d says Del Rio, \u201cbut in general, I don\u2019t grab anything that will make it difficult for me to visit as much as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As for food at the shows, Pellan opts for a sandwich on the go before 12:30 when the lines get long. Del Rio rents an apartment in Milan, where she eats a big breakfast, brings a snack for lunch, and cooks dinner at home. \u201cAnd I do drink a lot of fluids during the day,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Salone del Mobile or Fuorisalone? <\/strong><\/p>\n Del Rio spends much of the week at Euroluce<\/a>, and visits Fuorisalone<\/a> in her spare time. Fratti enjoys both, but his favorite places to experience Fuorisalone<\/a> are Brera<\/a>, Isola, Durini, Tortona<\/a>, and Lambrate<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Evening Activity <\/strong><\/p>\n Aside from the many design parties taking place at night, the dining options are plentiful. Pellan starts the evening with an aperitivo in the Navigli neighborhood, followed by a traditional Neapolitan pizza, and capped off with ice cream as he strolls the city. \u201cIn Milan you can find anything you want,\u201d says Fratti, who cites the multitude of Italian restaurants, as well as Korean, Japanese, Indian, and African options. \u201cEataly<\/a> could be the best place to start.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For additional information and resources regarding Milan Design Week<\/a>, please visit\u00a0Architonic<\/a>,\u00a0Interni<\/a>\u00a0and Archiproducts<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Related posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Vibia](\"https:\/\/www.vibia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/vibia-survival-guide-to-milano-design-week1.jpg\")
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