Random thoughts about Milan visit

[spyinthesky]

Thoughts on my first foreign away trip

 

1. Flights to/from Bournemouth to Bergamo very straightforward

2. Parking at Bournemouth Airport £22.00 for a day!!

3. Coach transfer to/from San Siro well organised

4. Metro to/from San Siro to Duomo clean, not crowded and relatively cheap 3 euros return.

5. Great to see so many Saints fans around the city - all seemed well behaved and a credit to the club.

6. However some Saints fans need to sort out their fashion sense and waistlines!!

7. San Siro impressive on the outside and a grand scale inside.

8. Walk up to our lofty position probably made a few of us realise our fitness needs to be improved (view from the top tier must be interesting!!)

9. Seats and walkways very dirty - doubt if they are ever cleaned.

10. No toilet paper in the traps!! Bit of a problem for those requiring a decent dump

11. PA system very impressive but monotonous music continuously played before/after game not to my taste

12. No match programme.

13. Doubt if design of seats/stairwells at San Siro would be allowed over here. Would only need someone to lose their footing on the narrow stairwells between the seating and it would cause a cascade with nowhere for the people in front to steady themselves.

14. Number of Saints stickers on the exit stairwells to remind others of our visit,

15. Great atmosphere served up by our fans. Shame we don't have a greater range of songs.

16. The amount of quite impressive catering outlets outside the ground.

17. Rather annoying presence of people selling good luck charms.

18. Number of Half & Half scarves on display. Normally a bit of a 'no/no' but understandable this time.

19. Feeling a bit chilly as the evening progressed after a sunny and warm day. Glad I wasn't one of those hardy souls in Tee shirt and shorts!!!

20. Sheer number of fully tooled up police in city centre and at game plus hundreds of stewards out in force after the game. Seemed as though there were as many police/stewards as away fans.

21. Number of school age kids throwing a 'sicky' to get to the game.

22. Arriving back at Bournemouth same time as the team and their entourage

23. Missing out the opportunity to meet Trousers!!

24. All in all a very interesting and enjoyable experience. Shame about the result.

25. Well done to all who went. You were a credit to the club.

[Chris27687]

Nice trip report - some pics would have been the icing on the cake.

[The Cat]

There was a programme, I saw people selling them outside the ground

[Lord Duckhunter]

Thoughts from me .

 

1. Turin better drinking city . Milan classier and more cultural , but lack of " wet establishments"

2. Chicks beautiful , particularly arse wise . Milan edged this category

3. Strange experience regarding the service people . Either miserable sods or unbelievably friendly didn't see to be any in between . One bar owner in Turin even waited at the door when we left , to wish us well & thank us for using his bar .

4. Everything about the stadium impressive . Left in at end a bit too long for my liking . A few twts abusing the stewards . I'm sure they wanted to let us out and get home themselves.

5. Other than those one or two , fans behaved pretty well .

6. Fast train from Turin to Milan brilliant . 300kph most of journey . Including waiting on platform , Gatwick to Clapham took more time than Milan to Turin . Embarrassing . Imagine being a European just arrived in London wanting train to city centre and having to deal with Southern Railways .

 

All in all a great trip despite result.

[whelk]

Beer priced varied a fair bit and not down to location. Paid from €7 for 500ml to just €2.50 for 660ml Moretti. Fair few downed over 2 day and 2 nights.

 

Didn't see any Ultras. Thought it might have kicked off somewhere but only read one transvestite chasing some teenagers http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14817475.Saints_fans__chased_by_knife_wielding_man_through_Milan__after_Saints_game/ which sounded almost funny

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I would like to claim the record for a beer in Milan. 35 € in the Duomo. A round of 4 came to €140.

[Lord Duckhunter]

I would like to claim the record for a beer in Milan. 35 € in the Duomo. A round of 4 came to €140.

 

WTF

 

We drank in Turin , Garibaldi area of Milan , Milan train station & by Lima metro and the most we paid per beer was €6

[John Boy Saint]

I would like to claim the record for a beer in Milan. 35 € in the Duomo. A round of 4 came to €140.

Flippin heck!!!!!!!!!! Amazed that you weren't arrested for having your pants pulled down in the square!!!!

 

What at were you drinking? beer brewed by blind Monks of a silent order, where the filtration process includes letting the beer flow over the nubile naked bodies of Virgins personally selected by St Peter and God himself!!!!

[Ziggy]

I would like to claim the record for a beer in Milan. 35 € in the Duomo. A round of 4 came to €140.

 

Me and my lad had a pizza in a restaurant a couple of hundred yards away from the cathedral and four medium beers for €34!

[Colinjb]

Me and my lad had a pizza in a restaurant a couple of hundred yards away from the cathedral and four medium beers for €34!

 

13 Euros a piece for a Birra Grande at a Restaurant just down from the Duomo.

[whelk]

Did all you lot not realise you'd get screwed at Duomo? Not blindly following the saints email advice I trust and did know there were other places to go?

[kwsaint]

31 Euros for 3 excellent pizzas and a beer each in a pizzeria round the corner from the main railway station. Avoided Duomo as it is stupid prices.

 

Fantastic trip - pity about the result. You hear a lot of English spoken in Milan. Just that everyone I heard on Thursday seemed to have a Hampshire accent. We were everywhere. San Siro was great to look at, but needs upgrading. Exits are terrible.

 

And cheers to Alan and his son for sharing the taxi from Bologna airport to station.

[mungo92]

Amazing trip, got screwed 18 euro each for a beer in Duomo sq but we were expecting that. Saints shirts everywhere in the city over the few days i was there.

 

Took a few videos which i've put together on youtube if anyone's interested

 

[Lets B Avenue]

Flippin heck!!!!!!!!!! Amazed that you weren't arrested for having your pants pulled down in the square!!!!

 

What at were you drinking? beer brewed by blind Monks of a silent order, where the filtration process includes letting the beer flow over the nubile naked bodies of Virgins personally selected by St Peter and God himself!!!!

 

It was the size of an average Goldfish tank.

 

Sans fish.

[SFCRedandWhite]

Inter fans running to the front at the end was something ive never seen either

[Colinjb]

Did all you lot not realise you'd get screwed at Duomo? Not blindly following the saints email advice I trust and did know there were other places to go?

 

Without wishing to sound blasé, the prices simply didn't matter. Was only there for small part of the trip, wanted to soak in the atmosphere.

 

Found a great bar in Lambrate just around the corner from our accommodation for the Wednesday night. Saw Napoli v Besiktas in there. Cracking match.

[The Cat]

I bought cans of beer in the shop for 0.60€ each and drank by the canal. Went into one bar where it was €8 a beer and walked out.

 

Anyone else see the scrawny gap toothed old woman tramp by the canal strip off? The picture I saw can never be forgotten.

[sydenhamssocks]

13 Euros a piece for a Birra Grande at a Restaurant just down from the Duomo.

 

Yep! My mate had one of those,just the one, then changed the size!

Lovely pizza though!

[SparkySaint]

Driving on the Ferrari Experience simulator incredible

 

 

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[danjosaint]

Thoughts from me .

 

1. Turin better drinking city . Milan classier and more cultural , but lack of " wet establishments"

2. Chicks beautiful , particularly arse wise . Milan edged this category

3. Strange experience regarding the service people . Either miserable sods or unbelievably friendly didn't see to be any in between . One bar owner in Turin even waited at the door when we left , to wish us well & thank us for using his bar .

4. Everything about the stadium impressive . Left in at end a bit too long for my liking . A few twts abusing the stewards . I'm sure they wanted to let us out and get home themselves.

5. Other than those one or two , fans behaved pretty well .

6. Fast train from Turin to Milan brilliant . 300kph most of journey . Including waiting on platform , Gatwick to Clapham took more time than Milan to Turin . Embarrassing . Imagine being a European just arrived in London wanting train to city centre and having to deal with Southern Railways .

 

All in all a great trip despite result.

 

Ref no2, totally agree seemed every female from 20 to 40 looked similar, hot and with mighty fine rear ends

[Goalie66]

I would like to claim the record for a beer in Milan. 35 € in the Duomo. A round of 4 came to €140.

 

Well if you drink in a Cathedral what do you expect. I trust you did the Bulls balls afterwards !!

[jasonb]

Driving on the Ferrari Experience simulator incredible

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

That runs Assetto Corsa - awesome game!

[SparkySaint]

That runs Assetto Corsa - awesome game!

 

Interesting, I'll have a look at that. The brakes are controlled by a pressure transducer rather than a pedal. I now realise that the reason why I came off the track so much was because I wasn't turning the wheel enough. Would love to try it again

 

 

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[niceandfriendly]

Very much enjoyed the small bar located in the big sports park to the west of the stadium. 2Euros per Beer and a big open grass space to sit in, with stadium in view. Great trip

[ladysaint]

My lasting impression of Milan must be the amount of graffitti around and the size of the city. The canal on Wednesday night was lovely you could actually see the bottom of it and the fish. Why a minority ruined it by throwing bottles and even trying to throw some table and chairs from one of the bars in the canal I don't know. San Siro impressive steps very steep though. Don't think it's a city I would rush back to.

[Alanh]

31 Euros for 3 excellent pizzas and a beer each in a pizzeria round the corner from the main railway station. Avoided Duomo as it is stupid prices.

 

Fantastic trip - pity about the result. You hear a lot of English spoken in Milan. Just that everyone I heard on Thursday seemed to have a Hampshire accent. We were everywhere. San Siro was great to look at, but needs upgrading. Exits are terrible.

 

And cheers to Alan and his son for sharing the taxi from Bologna airport to station.

 

No problem, I hope the rest of your trip went smoothly.

[bpsaint]

Loved seeing the Panini stickers everywhere. Every time I went for a pee or dump I was greeted by either Benali or Pahars.

[Gis]

I'd read that Milan was a pretty dull industrial city, but was very pleasantly surprised.

 

The cathedral and square was great; as good as anything in this country. The shops plentiful, and pretty reasonably priced, along with the restaurants and bars - in general.

 

Milan has that big city buzz that you don't see much outside London and Manchester over here. Whilst also being a place where families obviously still live. We stayed just a tube stop away from Doumas and at 5pm on Friday afternoon the local park was full of small family groups simply enjoying the afternoon sun.

 

(ps. Just back from the Ethiad, which is a shed in comparison to the San Siro - although much easier to get out of afterwards).

[Gis]

I'd read that Milan was a pretty dull industrial city, but was very pleasantly surprised.

 

The cathedral and square was great; as good as anything in this country. The shops plentiful, and pretty reasonably priced, along with the restaurants and bars - in general.

 

Milan has that big city buzz that you don't see much outside London and Manchester over here. Whilst also being a place where families obviously still live. We stayed just a tube stop away from Doumas and at 5pm on Friday afternoon the local park was full of small family groups simply enjoying the afternoon sun.

 

(ps. Just back from the Ethiad, which is a shed in comparison to the San Siro - although much easier to get out of afterwards).

[John Boy Saint]

My lasting impression of Milan must be the amount of graffitti around and the size of the city. The canal on Wednesday night was lovely you could actually see the bottom of it and the fish. Why a minority ruined it by throwing bottles and even trying to throw some table and chairs from one of the bars in the canal I don't know. San Siro impressive steps very steep though. Don't think it's a city I would rush back to.

We flew into Geneva drove through the Alps via the Mont Blanc tunnel. Then back to Geneva via the Simplon Pass on Friday passing Lake Maggiore along the way, I will be returning to Milan just to go and visit the Italian lakes.

[John Boy Saint]

My lasting impression of Milan must be the amount of graffitti around and the size of the city. The canal on Wednesday night was lovely you could actually see the bottom of it and the fish. Why a minority ruined it by throwing bottles and even trying to throw some table and chairs from one of the bars in the canal I don't know. San Siro impressive steps very steep though. Don't think it's a city I would rush back to.

We flew into Geneva drove through the Alps via the Mont Blanc tunnel. Then back to Geneva via the Simplon Pass on Friday passing Lake Maggiore along the way, I will be returning to Milan just to go and visit the Italian lakes.

[chocco boxo]

Milan...the city seemed quite grey to me. Waiters and bar staff looked like they enjoyed their jobs and were friendly . Lots of good looking woman walking stupid looking dogs. Italian men wear decent shoes. Lots of old couples out and about walking with one another.

[chocco boxo]

Milan...the city seemed quite grey to me. Waiters and bar staff looked like they enjoyed their jobs and were friendly . Lots of good looking woman walking stupid looking dogs. Italian men wear decent shoes. Lots of old couples out and about walking with one another.

[Saint Garrett]

The amount of stewards and riot police outside was way over the top, it was almost like they were inciting it themselves.

 

The graffiti on every single wall is mind blowing!

 

We found a fantastic little restaurant and had food and a few drinks including coffee and shots each and it came to just over €25 each, and every other bar seemed to be €5 a pint!!

[Saint Garrett]

The amount of stewards and riot police outside was way over the top, it was almost like they were inciting it themselves.

 

The graffiti on every single wall is mind blowing!

 

We found a fantastic little restaurant and had food and a few drinks including coffee and shots each and it came to just over €25 each, and every other bar seemed to be €5 a pint!!

[whelk]

The amount of stewards and riot police outside was way over the top, it was almost like they were inciting it themselves.

 

The graffiti on every single wall is mind blowing!

 

We found a fantastic little restaurant and had food and a few drinks including coffee and shots each and it came to just over €25 each, and every other bar seemed to be €5 a pint!!

 

A lot of the stewards were smiling. Absolute opposite of inciting and I thought it was flattering.

What do you think Italian police will think with 7000 English fans arriving. They aren't going to be not present given their issues and our (English)history and reputation.

 

I thought refreshingly low key and left fans to it at Navigli.

I was at Italia 90 and world of difference from being escorted with machine guns pointed at you.

[corky morris]

Ref no2, totally agree seemed every female from 20 to 40 looked similar, hot and with mighty fine rear ends

 

Apparently my lads think I am a perv............................for constantly looking at some of the most beautiful backsides I have ever seen!!

[Hatch]

I didn't see a fat Italian woman the whole time I was there. Beautiful.

 

Another observation, a group of lads in front of us, probably aged about 18-20 probably watched about 5 minutes max of the whole game. They looked pretty coked up judging by their inane constant grins.

This is a moan about them not watching the match rather than their pre-match habits.

[oldsarum]

A lot of the stewards were smiling. Absolute opposite of inciting and I thought it was flattering.

What do you think Italian police will think with 7000 English fans arriving. They aren't going to be not present given their issues and our (English)history and reputation.

 

I thought refreshingly low key and left fans to it at Navigli.

I was at Italia 90 and world of difference from being escorted with machine guns pointed at you.

 

Said the same to my mates who didn't go

 

the attitude of the stewards / security forces couldn't have been more different, 5 Cabornari on way to ground quite happy to pose for photo with my lad and his mate with their flag

 

In 1990 would have been deported for less

[alehouseboys]

For a big city I thought the locals were very friendly, I've read that a few young lads got chased down the street by a crazed dress wearing geezer swinging a big knife around (like you do) but I can't say we encountered anything but cheery folk. Very good trip but (other than a few hours taking in the sights) a city you'd really only visit for the football.

[100%Red&White]

Decent city, more about commerce and shopping than tourist attractions but Duomo and surrounding area has great architecture as does Stazione Centrale the main train station!

 

We flew into Bologna on the Thursday and took the 300kmph train to Milan, transportation was fantastic, the Metro and trams in Milan were cheap (or free!) and easy.

 

Took a quick look in the Square to see what was going on but didn't hang around long and soon drinking in bars nearer San Siro, most we paid was 4E for a pint but then 3E for 660ml bottles of Birra Moretti. Far more reasonable than what some were paying elsewhere, particularly the 7E for a small plastic cup of 'beer' inside the stadium, some couldn't believe their luck that it was being served to their seats until they realised it was alcohol-free.

 

Cracking couple of days.

[dubai_phil]

Had been to Milan once before for work and found it boring over rated and expensive. This time was so different.

 

Day 1 we ate in Brera at the "Two Restaurant Streets" nice part of town, great Pizza, 5 Euro for a beer (cheap compared to here) but the Wine was expensive BUT superb. Day Tow we wandered round the City looked at the Well Dressed Ladies, some of our crew even got in to see the Last Supper & Museums. For Lunch we found "A Wine Shop" located on Via Dante near the Duomo.

 

Everything about it screamed tourist rip off and yet... It sold 1500 Italian Wines at Supermarket Prices that you could take away or have served at your table. The food was superb The Lamb Chops plate for 15 Euros were awesome.

 

In fact once we discovered the Special Promotion we were drinking a great 2012 Valpollicella at 9 Euros a BOTTLE (While FF drank his 35 Euro Beer about 150 metres away.

 

Navigli & the Canals were fun until the bottles started to fly and while I never usually do it, we went back to Via Dante Thursday and drank it dry after the game. Even after midnight, OWTS rolled from Restaurant to Restaurant along that street

 

These guys are well worth a light lunch & bottle of decent wine next time you find yourself stuck in a City Centre http://www.signorvino.com/en

 

Was so great to meet Travel Mush from Cambodia, Bahrain Saint, Romanian, Bulgarian and Polish Saints, 2 native born Thai Girls who'd travelled over, the London Saints crew and the old Salisbury Massive on one trip.

 

Best bit was when I went to take a photo of the inside of the San Siro a voice belted out "**** me you look just like your brother" - another old friend I hadn't seen in some 25 years or so

[spyinthesky]

Fair play to Dubai Saints for their banner as well as Italia Saints and all others from various parts of Hampshire and beyond.

 

Made our support look very colourful and visible.

 

There were a few people on our flight with quite big banners on poles which took a while to get pushed through the scanners.

 

Unsure how they were stored on the plane

[RedWillie]

Anyone else see Crazy dude dressed as half a chicken in a saints shirt running around pre match singing to himself?? I think the carbinieri looked totally bemused by him apart from the polizie dog that wanted to chew his nads off !

[The9]

I bought cans of beer in the shop for 0.60€ each and drank by the canal. Went into one bar where it was €8 a beer and walked out.

 

Anyone else see the scrawny gap toothed old woman tramp by the canal strip off? The picture I saw can never be forgotten.

 

I saw a lot of people watching her, I was deliberately facing the other way. Apparently she did it the night before as well.

[Ashtead Saint]

10 out of 10 from me on the culinary front.

 

Excellent craft beers from the local supermarket at knock down prices, superb fresh Porcini mushrooms from the street market on the way to San Siro (one has gone into a risotto with Riso Carnaroli from the same supermarket, the other destined for a pasta dish) and tempted by the Lampascioni - a kind of edible hyacinth bulb which I almost bought but didn't. It's the things you don't do that you regret in life! Also picked up some Himalayan pink salt, exotic nougat and fancy chocs for early Christmas presents and a few local cheeses.

[SO16_Saint]

10 out of 10 from me on the culinary front.

 

Excellent craft beers from the local supermarket at knock down prices, superb fresh Porcini mushrooms from the street market on the way to San Siro (one has gone into a risotto with Riso Carnaroli from the same supermarket, the other destined for a pasta dish) and tempted by the Lampascioni - a kind of edible hyacinth bulb which I almost bought but didn't. It's the things you don't do that you regret in life! Also picked up some Himalayan pink salt, exotic nougat and fancy chocs for early Christmas presents and a few local cheeses.

 

What was the game like?

[broncoboy]

What was the game like?

 

Thats a good one