I had the good fortune of finding Riccardo and Alessandra's apartment (apt) on Airbnb.
Communicating with Riccardo was great with very quick responses and easy communication via both Airbnb messaging and Whattsapp. I also communicated with Alessandra via Whattsapp with immediate responses from her. Riccardo kindly offered to wait for us on our arrival to Milano Centrale. We arrived by train from Torino. There was Riccardo waiting for us at Gate A as we arranged. What a wonderful man - a kind, sincere, honest, helpful man, full of lots of advise on everything from all to see in Milano, the area around the apt, restaurants to go to and instructions on everything within the apt. Riccardo helped me with my luggage to the apt. This was a blessing as I wasn't well at all. We arrived at the apt with a very easy walk, say 10-15 mins from the main train station. The apt is in a fantastic location for this reason, including having a supermarket just downstairs, a bar amongst many, food shops and a chemist with a Doctor which I needed. Also, it was a very beautiful, secure and quiet block of apts. We were so excited when we got into the apt, it was so beautiful and clean and spacious. Especially loved the timber floor. On the kitchen bench we found a delicious bottle of Prosecco, mineral water and blood orange fruit juice. The kitchen had Italia coffee, instant coffee, tea, sugar, and the basics to cook. We were able to catch up on washing as there was a washing machine, I enjoyed cooking in the kitchen which was well equipped with a lovely small balcony off that area. The bed and sofa bed were both very comfortable with good quality linen. I was amazed at how comfortable the sofa bed was. Obviously, a top quality sofa bed. Plenty of space for 2 people to share. I loved the little balcony off my bedroom which was the lounge room by day.The main bedroom was very spacious and lovely. Fantastic wifi, lovely bathroom with an opening window, great central heating, and plenty of towels and storage space if you are staying for a week or more. Having a working elevator was a bonus as we had problems with the elevators in our other 2 apts on our travels through Italia.Take Riccardo's advise on board as to where to eat including a restaurant across the street called Limone. Not cheap but a wonderful seafood experience. Fritto misto a must. Another restaurant was called in Italia " Tulpos and bread" - fabulous food and service and well priced. I could go on but lastly I must mention the trams with stops right outside the apt block. Tram numbers 9 and 10, make use of them and other tram lines to see Milano above ground as opposed to using the underground metro. There is a 24 hr ticket you can buy for 4.50 euros, which can be used on the buses, underground and the trams. We always used the trams to see this beautiful city. Milano is a wonderful city with so much beauty, history, fabulous food and coffee all so close to this fantastic apt.
Grazie mile Riccardo e Alessandra. We loved Milano (a week in Milano is not enough) and your apt and hospitality made our stay unforgettable. I will be back soon with my sister to spend more time in Milano and your apt.
Lucia