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New Social Circle weekend away for 2017 to get all excited about!

Join us for three days in Milan on the 9th to the 11th of June. If you are a fan of history or a modern and contemporary art aficionado, or if you just love fashion and relaxing, you won’t be disappointed!

So join us in exploring this fantastic city in stunning 4.3 * accomodation. With once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to be had, you may just find yourself making some lifelong friends along the way. As well as experiencing all of the great attractions, there will be plenty of opportunities to get social, keeping with the ethos of what we're all about. New friends...New city...we think you'll love it!

Milan is like an espresso for the soul. From the Gothic Duomo to the serene canals of the Navigli District to the San Siro football stadium, it's like going int time to a truly magnificent era where buildings have ornate augmentations, where you can spend hours laughing over a beautiful meal and aperitif and you can join the queues to get that sneak peak at a designer's new collection (or look longingly into the windows). Milan is a fascinating and busy city with something for everyone.

Your social circle guide will help you beat the queues, and seek out the hidden gems of the City.

See http://www.turismo.milano.it/wps/portal/tur/en for more on this exciting location.

Accommodation

Set in the lively Navigli area of Milan, Art Hotel features a collection of modern art paintings and sculptures. Rooms offer free Wi-Fi, a minibar, and a kettle. A private parking is available.

The Navigli area is famous for its pubs, restaurants, and boutiques. Milan city centre is easily reached via metro, with Porta Genova Metro Station 5 minutes' walk away.

Each room at Art Hotel Navigli is air-conditioned and has a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some rooms also have a private balcony.

The American-style buffet breakfast offers a large choice of sweet and savoury food. Services also include an indoor parking garage, 5 bright meeting rooms and a large lobby with bar. On the top floor guests will find a terrace, a gym and a wellness centre, that includes a sauna and a Turkish bath.

Artworks from international artists such as Arnaldo Pomodoro, Dalì and Man Ray are in display throughout the hotel. Guests can relax out in the garden or up on the terrace on the sixth floor.

Navigli is a great choice for travellers interested in restaurants, culture and museums.

The reviews on tripadvisor are excellent and is one of the best hotels in the area.

http://www.arthotelnavigli.com/

Suggested Itinerary

After arriving in Milan and cand checking into the hotel, we will head out and take in the views of the city (and some good quality wine!) on a sightseeing tour on one of Milans stylish vintage trams.

After a leisurely lunch at one of Milans many hidden bohemian cafes, we will allow the shopaholics to get their fix by visiting the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a glass vaulted shopping arcade dating from 1870 and home to Prada’s original store. We will have a mooch around the Golden rectangle and tray and pick up your designer outfits at a fraction of the retail costs. We can even enlist the services of a personal shopper to give you some style tips and fashion advice!

It is not all shopping! We will have time to take in some of Milans beautiful art galleries, proud home to the greats from Da Vinci to Matisse and marvel at the cities architecture as we wander around. Even the train station is a work of art!

Discover the canalside district of Navigli on relaxed yet stylish pub crawl! We will visit an eclectic collection of boutiques, bars and restaurants, and then sit down for some traditional Italian cheese, meat, bread and wine in an atmospheric ‘enoteca’ (wine bar) before sampling unlimited apertivos in the area’s most popular bars.

Options for the Weekend:

Take in the view from the Duomo roof

500 years in the making, the spiked gothic cathedral that is the Duomo contains some magnificent treasures but, for a truly breathtaking experience, climb the 150 steps (or take the lift) to the roof. Here,you can admire some of the 3,600 statues and 135 spires, many carved from pink Candoglia marble – and get a closer view of the famous gilded copper ‘Madonnina’ atop the tallest spike. On a fine day, the view stretches far beyond the city to the snow-capped Alps making for some incredible photographs.

Trip to Verona and Lake Garda

Get swept up in the scenery and romance of Verona and Lake Garda on a day trip from Milan. Led by a local guide, begin with a walking tour of Verona, passing the main square of Piazza delle Erbe, the Roman Arena and the house of Juliet where Shakespeare enthusiasts can call out to Romeo from the balcony. After pausing for lunch, head to the lakeside village of Sirmione to explore the medieval streets, famous castle and stunning views.

Be inspired by The Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is undoubtedly Milan’s best-known attraction. We have access to beat the Queue tickets. Those lucky enough to enter the hallowed refectory (attached to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie) get 15 minutes to examine the expressions of consternation, hostility and despair on the faces of the disciples, just as Jesus reveals his imminent betrayal.

Learn to Cook like an Italian

Bring home some new cooking techniques and a few recipes from Milan by taking this exciting cooking class. Learn from a professional chef how to make a few Milanese delicacies and specialties as you learn how to make a four-course meal of dishes such as risotto, gnocchi, ravioli, tiramisu and panna cotta, using fresh, seasonal ingredients purchased at a local market. When you're finished cooking, sit down and enjoy the meal, complemented by some locally produced wine.

It's all a trick of the mind at Santa Maria presso San Satiro

Tucked between the ubiquitous chain stores on via Torino, the unassuming church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro hides another of Milan’s unmissable sights. Walk through the door, and you might presume that the gilded apse at the end of the barrel-vaulted nave stretches back for at least two or three metres. Get up close, and you’ll see it’s a trompe-l’oeil niche, with a depth of just 97 centimetres. The great architect Bramante is said to be responsible for this brilliant visual trick.

Take in the Opera at Teatro alla Scala

Typically Milanese, the discrete, neo-classical façade of Teatro alla Scala, the world’s most famous opera house, belies its opulent interior – featuring acres of red velvet and gilded balconies. Saturday 10th June 2017 will feature a performance of italian composer, Puccini, which will make your heart melt.

Price includes accommodation in your ideal city centre 4.3* Hotel. Price Inclusive of guide and a truly great time with other European dwellers, any tour costs are payable when there. 

What's left to do?  Simply book your flight and come join us.....

Recommended flight Flybe BE7351 Depart Manchester 7:15am Friday 9th June arrive in Milan 10:25am. BE7358 Depart Milan Sunday 11th June 9:15pm arrive in Manchester 10:25pm. https://www.flybe.com/web-app/index.html

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLIMENT OF £175, SIMPLY EMAIL INFO@SOCIAL-CIRCLE.CO.UK

With Social Circle you will have your very own guide who will make your trip one to remember. Add to this the great company, friendships that are formed, lively conversations, nights out and general relaxed atmosphere , this is your Social Circle Guarantee. Just an incredible trip organised for you with like-minded people.