Business trips are often a vital part of working for, or even running, a business – and with international travel back up and running, international trips are once again becoming a regular part of business itineraries across the world. But business trips are just that: business. Despite the beautiful places they can take you, they can still be stressful experiences. Say you’re heading to Milan this summer – how would you go about making the trip work for you as a leisure experience as well as a business one?
The key to getting the most enjoyment out of your business trip is to pack with versatility in mind. Be sure to include some comfortable clothes for downtime, but try to choose smart clothes that you can turn into leisurewear with ease. As important as it is to pack light for an easy trip, do not forget the trappings of your work – business cards are still widely used in Italy, so don’t forget to bring yours along! Still, between the business parts of your business trip, you should be able to enjoy yourself. The following places can help you do just that.
Duomo di Milano
Duomo di Milano, otherwise known as Milan Cathedral, is an imposing presence in the city center, being the largest cathedral in Italy and supposedly the third largest in the world. It is a feat of engineering, and twinned with Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia when it comes to the story of its construction. The cathedral has been a labor of love for the city for 600 years!
Its history and architecture alike make it a must-visit cultural landmark in Milan, and the perfect way to take a moment in the middle of an otherwise busy day of work and meetings. You could simply enjoy your lunch from the cathedral square or take a minute to tour its interior before heading home for the day.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
A stone’s throw from Duomo is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a stunning example of a multi-story arcade and an active retail center to this day. The Galleria is worth a visit for the shopping experience alone but its architecture is also a thing of beauty. This is a great place to catch your breath and drink in some 19th-century European engineering in the process.
Navigli District
When your day is done, you’ll want somewhere to let your hair down in earnest. For this, look no further than Milan’s Navigli district. The Navigli district is equivalent to Manchester’s Northern Quarter and Soho in London, being a stunningly beautiful area that champions independent business and bohemian culture. Here is the place to get a drink and enjoy the lapping waves of the Navigli Grande Canal. What work day?
