How to make the most of Milan during the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

The battle for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 in Italy began the minute Måneskin won the ESC 2021, in Rotterdam. Earlier this summer, we told you how to make the most of Rome and we told you everything you need to know about Pesaro. These two cities are still in the race to become a hosting city, as well as Milan. 

Milan is a city in the north of Italy. The city has the most habitants of Italy, after Rome. Milan is considered a leading global city, with strengths in many fields, like art, commerce, design, education, entertainment finance, healthcare, and tourism. Of course we all know Milan for being one of the fashion capitals of the world. Let’s take a look at what Milan has to offer!

Milan Cathedral

Cathedral of Milan

The cathedral, also called the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary (Italian: Basilica cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria Nascente), is the most famous cathedral church in Milan.

The construction of the cathedral took about 6 centuries. Simone da Orsenigo started the construction in 1386. Benigno Mörlin Visconti Castiglione was the last architect to work on the property, in 1965. It is the largest church in Italy, even bigger than St. Peter’s Basilica is in the State of Vatican City

The view from the roof is breathtaking. Please note that the elevator does not reach the top floor. Prepare for a lot of stairs. Believe us, it’s definitely worth it! Definitely book a (private) tour if you’re interested in the history of the cathedral. This gives a visit to the church an extra dimension through the beautiful stories of the tour guide.

Brera District

Brera is a district (“quartiere”) in Milan. The district has an artistic and bohemian atmosphere and is located in zone 1, (the historic core of the city). Brera is also called “the Milanese Montmartre”. Sounds promising, right? The neighborhood is filled with bars and restaurants. It is less suitable if you want to shop.

The main historical building is Palazzo Brera. Brera houses the Brera Academy of Fine Arts and the Brera Art Gallery are located here, as well as Milan’s botanical garden as well as an astronomical observatory and the Braidense National Library. Other features that contribute to the character of Brera include restaurants, bars, night clubs, antique and art shops, colorful street markets, as well as fortune tellers’ booths. Especially this last feature might be interesting if you want to place a bet on the Eurovision Song Contest.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Do you prefer to go to a place where you can shop (in the most exclusive stores)? Then you should pay the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II a visit. This is Italy’s oldest active shopping arcade and a landmark of Milan. The inspiration for the name of the building is the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.

The building was designed in 1861 and built between 1865 and 1877. The architect who completed this job is Guiseppe Mengoni. A common nickname is Il Salotto di Milano (Salon of Milan), because of its many shops and importance as a common meeting and dining place in Milan.

The shopping center is located in ”Centro Storico”, in the center of the city. Some of the oldest shops reside in the Galleria. Several of the stores and restaurants have been there since the 19th century. The entrance to the building is particularly impressive.

Fun fact: Mac Donalds was the first to being denied a renewal of their contract, after housing in the Galleria for 20 years. Mac Donalds sued the landlord – the city of Milan – for 24 million in damages. The fast food chain renounced the suit after receiving the opportunity to open a new restaurant nearby. Prada opened their second store in the Galleria, replacing the fast food restaurant.

Tram Ristorante ATMosfera

If you have a night off of the Eurovision craziness, you could choose to have an exclusive dinner at Tram Ristorante ATMosfera. The restaurant is located at Sforzesco Castle. It’s a fine dining experience combined with round trip in the city of Milan. ATMosfera offers two historic trams and thus the first itinerant trams in Italy.

The menus offer options for meat lovers, fish eaters and vegetarians. The chef is responsible for putting together the menu. Updates on the menu are regular and in tune with the seasons.

You can visit the restaurant 7 days a week. However, it is necessary to book in advance. You can book your table on the ATMosfera website.

”Gaying” in Milan

As we’ve mentioned before, Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world. Milan is a big city and offers plenty of accommodations. From hotels to home rentals, you are sure to find something that fits your needs. Be sure to visit websites like Tripadvisor to read the most recent reviews.

There is also a gay scene in Milan. Signs of affection like holding hands, hugging in the street, and kissing cheek to cheek are perfectly accepted in the city. The gay scene used to be around the area that’s called Via Sammartini. We do not advise that you visit this area, as it’s considered unsafe. The gay scene has moved to the Porta Venezia district, on Via Lecco. In town, you need a club card to access most gay clubs. You can purchase this card at the participating locations.

Milan

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Weekly Update

It’s time for another weekly Eurovision update. Lithuania has officially confirmed its participation for 2026. Bosnia & Herzegovina sadly announced it will not return. Belgium’s Eurovision plans remain uncertain despite earlier reports. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is inching closer to a possible debut. Austrian media are buzzing with the first host rumors, and ORF has entered negotiations with Vienna and Innsbruck to decide the 2026 host city. 🇱🇹 🇧🇦 Lithuania In, Bosnia-Herzegovina Out of Eurovision 2026 Lithuania’s broadcaster LRT has confirmed that the country will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The confirmation was given to ESC Today. Details on how Lithuania will select its entry are yet to be announced, but a national final is expected as in previous years. 📷 EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett In contrast, Bosnia & Herzegovina will not be participating in Eurovision 2026. Broadcaster BHRT officially stated it cannot return next year. That is due to ongoing EBU sanctions stemming from unpaid debts. The Bosnian delegation explained that without resolving the funding issues and outstanding debts – and securing a sponsor – a Eurovision comeback isn’t feasible. Bosnia & Herzegovina last took part in 2016 and has been absent from the contest ever since. 🇧🇪 Belgium’s 2026 Participation Remains Uncertain Contrary to reports last week, Belgium’s Eurovision 2026 participation is not yet fully confirmed. French-language broadcaster RTBF (responsible for Belgium’s 2026 entry) clarified the station has not officially committed to the contest yet. RTBF cited ongoing discussions within the EBU and among its member broadcasters. That’s why they are proceeding with preparations without a formal confirmation of participation for now. In short, Belgium is lining up a potential act for Eurovision 2026, but RTBF is keeping its options open until certain international discussions are resolved. 🇰🇿 EBU to Discuss Kazakhstan’s Possible Debut Kazakhstan’s Eurovision dreams are gaining traction. During the recent EBU General Assembly in London, the chairman of Kazakhstan’s broadcaster (Khabar Agency) met with EBU officials to propose the country’s debut in 2026. According to Kemelbek Oishybayev (Khabar’s director), EBU chief Noel Curran reacted positively and agreed to have Kazakhstan’s participation proposal discussed at the next EBU meeting. If the EBU extends an invitation, 2026 could mark Kazakhstan’s first appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest. Kazakhstan has participated in Junior Eurovision in the past, but because Khabar is not a full EBU member, a special invitation is required for the main contest. So far, Australia is the only country to receive such an invitation. A final decision on Kazakhstan’s Eurovision 2026 fate is expected in the coming months. 🇦🇹 Host Rumors: ORF Eyes Swarovski and Knoll for 2026 With Austria preparing to host Eurovision 2026, speculation has started about who will present the shows. One name on everyone’s lips is Andi Knoll. He is Austria’s veteran Eurovision commentator. According to Kleine Zeitung, Knoll is considered a likely choice – essentially a “fixed” host for 2026. Knoll has been the Austrian commentator since 1999. So seeing him step on the Eurovision stage next year would be a fitting full-circle moment. 📷 Johan Morgenbesser, Wikimedia Commons Another high-profile name emerging is Victoria Swarovski. ORF is reportedly interested in the TV presenter as a potential Eurovision host. Victoria is known for hosting Germany’s “Let’s Dance”. Austrian media reveal that ORF insiders are “flirting” with the idea of featuring the Tyrolean-born Swarovski in the hosting lineup. However, there could be scheduling conflicts with her RTL commitments, which might depend on RTL’s involvement in Eurovision next year. 📷 Superbass, Wikimedia Commons Swarovski isn’t the only woman in the mix. Several ORF news anchors – such as Nadja Bernhard, Alexandra Wachter, and Raffaela Schaidreiter – are also rumored as possibilities for the hosting team. Fans have even speculated about bringing back the trio of female hosts from Vienna 2015: Arabella Kiesbauer, Mirjam Weichselbraun, and Alice Tumler. In fact, Kiesbauer has already stated she’d be ready to return if asked, saying “if I’m needed, I’ll be there”. ORF has yet to make any official announcements, so the host selection remains an exciting guessing game for now. Also Conchita Wurst is rumoured as a host. She did the job in the green room in 2015. Vienna and Innsbruck in Final Host City Talks Vienna and Innsbruck have emerged as the final two cities vying to host Eurovision 2026. Both cities submitted their official bid proposals by the July 4 deadline and impressed the broadcaster with their plans. ORF conducted initial site visits at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna and the Olympiaworld arena in Innsbruck, the venues proposed in the bids. Following those inspections, ORF invited both cities to enter detailed negotiations, calling the two proposals “very exciting and promising”. ORF’s Director General Roland Weißmann praised Vienna and Innsbruck for their strong enthusiasm and suitable conditions to host the contest. The Stadthalle (which can hold up to ~16,000 attendees and previously hosted Eurovision in 2015) and Innsbruck’s Olympiaworld (around 12,000 capacity) both meet the key requirements. Over the coming weeks, ORF will be in deep discussions with each city’s team to scrutinize all logistical and financial details. The final decision on the Eurovision 2026 host city is expected by the second half of August – so we’ll soon find out whether the honor goes to the capital Vienna or the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. That’s all for this weekly update. Stay tuned for another roundup next week. The road to Eurovision 2026 continues! Share

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Martijn

Weekly Update

It’s time for another weekly Eurovision update. Lithuania has officially confirmed its participation for 2026. Bosnia & Herzegovina sadly announced it will not return. Belgium’s Eurovision plans remain uncertain despite earlier reports. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is inching closer to a possible debut. Austrian media are buzzing with the first host rumors, and ORF has entered negotiations with Vienna and Innsbruck to decide the 2026 host city. 🇱🇹 🇧🇦 Lithuania In, Bosnia-Herzegovina Out of Eurovision 2026 Lithuania’s broadcaster LRT has confirmed that the country will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The confirmation was given to ESC Today. Details on how Lithuania will select its entry are yet to be announced, but a national final is expected as in previous years. 📷 EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett In contrast, Bosnia & Herzegovina will not be participating in Eurovision 2026. Broadcaster BHRT officially stated it cannot return next year. That is due to ongoing EBU sanctions stemming from unpaid debts. The Bosnian delegation explained that without resolving the funding issues and outstanding debts – and securing a sponsor – a Eurovision comeback isn’t feasible. Bosnia & Herzegovina last took part in 2016 and has been absent from the contest ever since. 🇧🇪 Belgium’s 2026 Participation Remains Uncertain Contrary to reports last week, Belgium’s Eurovision 2026 participation is not yet fully confirmed. French-language broadcaster RTBF (responsible for Belgium’s 2026 entry) clarified the station has not officially committed to the contest yet. RTBF cited ongoing discussions within the EBU and among its member broadcasters. That’s why they are proceeding with preparations without a formal confirmation of participation for now. In short, Belgium is lining up a potential act for Eurovision 2026, but RTBF is keeping its options open until certain international discussions are resolved. 🇰🇿 EBU to Discuss Kazakhstan’s Possible Debut Kazakhstan’s Eurovision dreams are gaining traction. During the recent EBU General Assembly in London, the chairman of Kazakhstan’s broadcaster (Khabar Agency) met with EBU officials to propose the country’s debut in 2026. According to Kemelbek Oishybayev (Khabar’s director), EBU chief Noel Curran reacted positively and agreed to have Kazakhstan’s participation proposal discussed at the next EBU meeting. If the EBU extends an invitation, 2026 could mark Kazakhstan’s first appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest. Kazakhstan has participated in Junior Eurovision in the past, but because Khabar is not a full EBU member, a special invitation is required for the main contest. So far, Australia is the only country to receive such an invitation. A final decision on Kazakhstan’s Eurovision 2026 fate is expected in the coming months. 🇦🇹 Host Rumors: ORF Eyes Swarovski and Knoll for 2026 With Austria preparing to host Eurovision 2026, speculation has started about who will present the shows. One name on everyone’s lips is Andi Knoll. He is Austria’s veteran Eurovision commentator. According to Kleine Zeitung, Knoll is considered a likely choice – essentially a “fixed” host for 2026. Knoll has been the Austrian commentator since 1999. So seeing him step on the Eurovision stage next year would be a fitting full-circle moment. 📷 Johan Morgenbesser, Wikimedia Commons Another high-profile name emerging is Victoria Swarovski. ORF is reportedly interested in the TV presenter as a potential Eurovision host. Victoria is known for hosting Germany’s “Let’s Dance”. Austrian media reveal that ORF insiders are “flirting” with the idea of featuring the Tyrolean-born Swarovski in the hosting lineup. However, there could be scheduling conflicts with her RTL commitments, which might depend on RTL’s involvement in Eurovision next year. 📷 Superbass, Wikimedia Commons Swarovski isn’t the only woman in the mix. Several ORF news anchors – such as Nadja Bernhard, Alexandra Wachter, and Raffaela Schaidreiter – are also rumored as possibilities for the hosting team. Fans have even speculated about bringing back the trio of female hosts from Vienna 2015: Arabella Kiesbauer, Mirjam Weichselbraun, and Alice Tumler. In fact, Kiesbauer has already stated she’d be ready to return if asked, saying “if I’m needed, I’ll be there”. ORF has yet to make any official announcements, so the host selection remains an exciting guessing game for now. Also Conchita Wurst is rumoured as a host. She did the job in the green room in 2015. Vienna and Innsbruck in Final Host City Talks Vienna and Innsbruck have emerged as the final two cities vying to host Eurovision 2026. Both cities submitted their official bid proposals by the July 4 deadline and impressed the broadcaster with their plans. ORF conducted initial site visits at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna and the Olympiaworld arena in Innsbruck, the venues proposed in the bids. Following those inspections, ORF invited both cities to enter detailed negotiations, calling the two proposals “very exciting and promising”. ORF’s Director General Roland Weißmann praised Vienna and Innsbruck for their strong enthusiasm and suitable conditions to host the contest. The Stadthalle (which can hold up to ~16,000 attendees and previously hosted Eurovision in 2015) and Innsbruck’s Olympiaworld (around 12,000 capacity) both meet the key requirements. Over the coming weeks, ORF will be in deep discussions with each city’s team to scrutinize all logistical and financial details. The final decision on the Eurovision 2026 host city is expected by the second half of August – so we’ll soon find out whether the honor goes to the capital Vienna or the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. That’s all for this weekly update. Stay tuned for another roundup next week. The road to Eurovision 2026 continues! Share

Share
Read More »