A FASHION CAPITAL
There’s no doubt about it. Milan is a capital of world fashion. Just in the Vittorio Emmanuele II area alone, there are numerous stores showcasing clothing, handbags, jewelry, and more from Italian brands that are now familiar in Vietnam, such as Fendi, Ferragamo, Valentino, or Gucci.
In fact, the Vittorio Emmanuele II area is truly an ideal place to visit when in Milan. There, you can see how fashion develops.What many people might not know is that this area is also home to some of the most unique clothing and accessory stores in the world.
THE BEGINNING OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE
You can find the latest Italian fashion items at Vittorio Emmanuele II, as well as luxury items like watches and jewelry.
With a dome nearly 50 meters high from the floor, it also marks the beginning of modern architecture in Italy, a clear example of 19th-century iron and glass construction.
According to a travel guide, middle-class Milanese still come here for lunch or coffee.Milanese families also often come here to buy Christmas gifts and New Year’s presents, a tradition that has persisted since ancient times and perhaps will continue into the future…
Let me clarify about the food.The guide warned us to be careful because as soon as they see tourists, they pull out their knives and start chopping! Just stopping by, sitting down without saying anything, and before you know it, you’ve lost 2 euros! If you don’t eat or drink, just standing up and leaving will still cost you money. In general, when hanging out in Italy, you have to be careful, always careful, very careful to avoid wasting money!
In many places, just sitting down means you get charged for it; some restaurants charge up to 6.5 euros for a seat. Many people don’t know, seeing coffee sold for 2 euros, thinking it’s cheap, two people sit down, and later they get charged 17 euros! Many restaurants in Italy, as well as in many places in Europe, do not charge that peculiar fee if customers stand to eat or drink. If you sit down, you have to pay at least 2 euros per person, and some restaurants charge up to 6.5 euros.
In fact, many visits to cafes are related to… the toilet. Drinking coffee allows you to use the restroom, which is usually cleaner than public toilets.
Let’s go back to Vittorio Emmanuele II. It has four entrances and connects to Duomo Square, where the Duomo Cathedral is located, and a little further on, you reach the Teatro La Scala. Nearby, there is another square, the rather small Piazza dei Mercanti. However, strolling here will feel like stepping back into the Middle Ages with the old houses and narrow cobblestone streets.
In terms of appearance, Vittorio Emmanuele II looks like a palace rather than a place for daily shopping. Open day and night, it is a place worth visiting, even if you don’t buy anything. Historically, it is one of the oldest shopping centers on the planet, having opened over 100 years ago, in 1877.
A special point: Vittorio Emmanuele II is located near the city’s main metro station – Piazza Garibaldi station. Moreover, it is also just a few steps away from the famous Duomo Cathedral. Very convenient for those who… don’t like walking much.
