Expo Milan 2015: A Guide to the must-see exhibits & attractions

Jul

Expo Milan 2015: A Guide to the must-see exhibits & attractions

“Milan is fabulous”…Where did you heard this before? It always has been and probably always will be, but with the opening of Expo Milan 2015, the city is having a shining moment. The wildly-impressive expo will run through October, so book a flight, pack a bag and reserve a hotel room soon. The theme, “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life,” taps into people’s fascination with anything food related.

And with over 1 million square meters devoted to exploring the gastronomy and culture of 145 countries, Expo Milan 2015 will feed your mind, body and soul.Over 150 restaurants, bars and food trucks offer everything from fast food to unforgettable prix-fixe meals prepared by Michelin-starred chefs. Be sure to wear your comfiest shoes because you’ll be doing plenty of walking as you bob and weave through the 53 pavilions and five thematic zones.

Arts & Foods

This exhibit is being shown “off-campus” at the Triennale in Milan until November 1, 2015. The exhibition, Rituals since 1851, is a spectacular foodie round up involving various media and art forms chronologically displayed. It starts from 1851 (the year of the first expo in London) and goes up to present day, creatively addressing the intricate relationship between the arts and food. With your Milan Expo ticket you can visit the Arts & Foods exhibition for free.

Biodiversity Park

This living exhibition consists of 250 different plant types spread out over 86,111 square feet of park land and eight large greenhouses which you can see, smell, touch and even taste. These plants and shrubs represent the biodiversity in Italy and examine the fundamental aspects of feeding the planet from a scientific viewpoint. The Biodiversity Park recreates the whole country with different areas devoted to the Alps, Apennines, the Po valley and the islands so you can walk the whole country.

International Pavillions

With over 145 countries all dressed up and vying for your attention it’s virtually impossible to narrow it down to just a handful, which is probably all you’ll have time for in one day. Here are some sound bites to aid in your selection:

USA: Go for the vertical farm and the Food Truck Nation. Thumbs up for the lobster roll.

South Korea: An interesting one-two punch consists of robots and Hansik, a healthier diet that contains less meat and a variety of fermented foods.

United Kingdom: The UK is really making a buzz with their exhibit. Attendees are taken on the journey of a bee as it flies from to meadows and orchids then back to its hive.

Austria: This is a real crowd-pleaser, particularly on a hot day, for their verdant forest complete with its own cooling microclimate that produces enough oxygen for 1,800 visitors every hour.

Japan: Visit for their futuristic restaurant serving virtual (calorie-free) food.

Italy: Their Power of Beauty landscapes ensure that you’ll be planning a return trip ASAP.

Getting to the Expo 2015 Milan

The Milan Expo is located just north-west of the city and is easily accessible from all of the area’s three airports, as well as the main public transportation lines. The site can be reached by virtually any form of transportation. If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the event, guided walking tours and customize trips are also available.

Accommodations

After a wonderful but exhausting day exploring the expo you’ll be dying for a little peace and quiet; not the easiest thing to find in bustling Milan. But the luxurious five-star newbie Palazzo Parigi Hotel offers an oasis of calm even though it’s just steps from the fashion district and the trendy Brera area.

Once the site of the historical Palazzo Cramer from the 1600s, this exquisitely-reconstructed boutique property sparkles with natural light, crystal chandeliers, polished Pink Baveno marble and rich parquet woodwork. Tastefully-decorated with fine art, antiques and fresh flowers, the spacious guestrooms (all with private balconies) are available in two distinct designs: a contemporary Milan style or the timeless, classic Paris design.

The elegant Presidential Suite includes a panoramic living room, comfortable dining area and separate private kitchen. Enjoy a haute buffet breakfast overlooking their private century-old garden after a heart-pumping workout in the state-of-the-art fitness center. This September they unveil their new rooftop spa, which is rumored to be the largest in Milan.

Identitá Expo 2015 Milan

One foodie highlight was a meal at Identità Golose, the ultimate gourmet pop-up restaurant, which was kicked off by Italy’s Michelin three-starred chef Massimo Bottura. Following him will be 200 top Italian and international guest chefs, who will be participating in more than 450 cooking shows, classes and talks. Some will be presenting their creations at a prix-fixe lunch or dinner that will include four courses for 75 Euros (USD $82) which includes wines.