The second largest city in Italy is Milan, which is the capital of Lombardy. Its urban area is the largest in Italy and ranked fifth in Europe. Milan founders were the Insubres which were Celtic people, later on the city became the capital of the Western Europe Empire when it was conquered by the Romans.
These last few decades the number of international immigrants in Milan grew which led to a great increase of foreign born inhabitants. Milan is considered a leading global city and in Italy it is the main financial, commercial and even industrial centre. The business district in Milan the Italian Stock Exchange is hosted and the city is known to be the base of the largest companies and national banks. The city is also said to be the capital of fashion and design.
Milan is home to some important landmarks, theatres and museums, that which attracts a lot of tourists all year long. One important and hard to miss landmark is the Milan Cathedral. The cathedral is the fourth largest in the world. There is also the Santa Maria della Grazie which is a church and Dominican convent is adorned with paintings of Leonardo da Vinci and which is officially recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church contains the mural of Leonardo da Vinci called The Last Supper.
Milan hosts several events and fairs at an international level such as the Milan Furniture Fair and the Milan Fashion Week. The town is also home to two major football teams namely F.C. Internazionale Milano and A. C. Milan.
From the ancient Roman colony there are a few vestiges still left such as the Colonne di San Lorenzo. There are also the great basilicas at the city gates, which are Sant’ Eustorgio, San Simpliciano, Sant’ Nazaro in Brolo and Sant’ Ambrogio. These still stand tall and are regarded as some of the finest and significant churches in the city.
The famous Milan’s Cathedral is the best and most important example of Gothic style architecture and it was built in the years 1386 to 1577. The statue of the Virgin Mary which is gilded with bronze was placed, back in 1774, on the pinnacle at the highest point of the Duomo. Even today the statue is one of the most lasting symbols of the city.
In Milan you will also be able to see the Castello Sforzesco, transformed in the 15th century from an old Viscontean fortress with the purpose of becoming the seat of a Renaissance court. Many well-known architects were commissioned to participate in this projects, including Florentine Filarette who buit the high central tower and Bartolomeo Gadio who was a military specialist.
Influenced by the alliance that formed between Florence’s Cosmino de’ Medici and Francesco Sforza, Tuscan models of Renaissance architecture made their presence known. That can be clearly seen in buildings such as the Ospedale Maggiore, Santa Maria della Grazzie tribune, the three cloisters for Sant’ Ambrogio and Santa Maria presso San Satiro.
Saint Charles Borromeo and Cardinal Federico Borromeo were cousins and an important part of the Counter-Reformation in the 16th century and which lasted until the 17th century. These too had a great influence to the people and to the culture alike, leading to creations such as the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and the Pinoteca Ambrosiana that was just nearby. During this same period, architects such as Francesco Maria Richinno, Pellegrino Tibaldi and Galeazzo Alessi, built many important Baroque mansions and churches.
Later on, during the 18th century, extensive renovations took place in Milan by the request of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. These renovations included the Royal Palace and the Teatro alla Scala which today is the most famous opera house in the world.
Regarded as the best examples of neoclassical architecture in Lombardy, there are the Royal Villa of Milan and the Palazzo Belgioioso. The Royal Villa of Milan was later on the official residence of Austria vice-roys.
While under Napoleon, Milan was named the capital of a satellite Kingdom of Italy and started to be reshaped and new squares and larger boulevards were constructed, as well as cultural institutions, such as the Art Galery and the Academy of Fine arts and the squares named Porta Ticinese and Foro Bonaparte.
Another breathtaking and massive construction that took place was the Arch of Peace which was located at the bottom of Corso Sempione. There is also the Galleria Vitorrio Emanuele II that was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni and that was built as a celebration to Vittorio Emanuele II. The building was inspired by the Bulnighton Arcade in London and has a cast iron roof adorned with glass.
In these last few years, Milan has had an urban decay and renewal of former industrial areas which are now modern residential and financial districs such as Fiera Milano and Porta Nova. According to some, the old exhibition area is to be reshaped to feature residential areas, skyscrapers, museums, and an urban park.
The largest park in the centre of Milan is the Sempiore Park in the northwest and Montanelli Garden in the northeast. The Sempiore Park adopted the English style and has in its premises the Milan City Aquarium and the Napoleonic Arena, as well as a Japanese garden and a public library. There is also a steel lattice panoramic tower and an exhibition centre for those who are interested.
There are various places to visit when in Milan, lots of places to shop and party and it is a city that can offer anything you would ever want or need. It is one of the most recommended places you can move to for a better and more exciting life. Don’t be afraid to live your life, we can help!
Europe Remove is specialised in Removals to Italy with door to door deliveries. We offer Storage and Removal Services at attractive prices and will ensure your moving will take place as a fast paced and secure operation.
We provide a cost effective and reliable service to you. Be it a small or a large number of boxes that needs moving, we can arrange collection of your belongings and relocation, as well as Storage, all only under the best conditions and with highly Qualified Professionals Removers. You can even leave the Packing to us. We will make sure everything will be Packed Securely with only the best Packing Supplies available. If you’re not convinced just use our Free Quote service.
You can contact us for any questions you might have. +44 020 3150 2668
Photographer: Jakub Hałun
Removals to Italy20/02/2025 - 16:26
Moving To France And A New Way Of Life
There are many reasons why British people are moving to France in greater numbers than ever before. The lure of a more relaxed lifestyle is perhaps the number one reason, but close behind would have to be the lower property prices, especially in the rural areas such as Limousin and Brittany.
If you have spent time in rural France, you may know there is a tradition where neighbours help each other out with major jobs on their houses, such as building an extension or re-roofing a property. This can come as a surprise if you are relocating to France and you haven’t had experience of this, so it’s worth knowing a bit about it. It works like this. Your neighbour will offer his time and expertise to help you carry out work on your home, and he won’t expect payment for the work, at least not in financial terms! When he has to carry out work on his home, you are expected to return the favour, and so it goes on throughout the community.
This ‘quid pro quo’ arrangement is just one aspect of how life can be very different to Britain, so if you are moving to France – or moving to Holland in a rural area – be prepared for your new neighbours offering to help with renovation work.
European Removal Experts won’t expect you to do any work for them once they have handled your move, but you can expect a great service at competitive prices, so have a look at our home page and see what we can do for you!
The Best Places to Live In Europe
It may not have come as much of a surprise to those Brits who love to moan, but this year Britain was actually found to be the worst place in Europe for quality of life. So, maybe we’re not a country of people who love to moan after all, maybe we’re just a country of people who are realistic?
Why is it such a bad place to live? Well, the average wage has fallen dramatically whilst we seem to have a higher retirement age and a lot less holiday allowance than most of Europe. Not only that, but we also have a much lower life expectancy than most of our neighbours, with our closest neighbours France, Germany and Holland all long outliving us. Plus, whilst for many years we were miserable but well off, we now seem to be miserable and poor.
Where is the best place to live? Well, for the second year running it is the French who have the best quality of life. Which may explain why so many people are choosing to move there. With it being so close, enjoying better whether than us and with many of us still having a basic grasp of the language, it seems to make perfect sense that moving to France is on so many peoples’ minds.
Not only that, but along with France (which topped the list again), the top ten best places to live in the world includes Germany, Switzerland and Belgium, with Britain coming in nowhere near.
So if you thought you were miserable, then the chances are you were right, but it might not be your fault. For those who want to be happier then moving to France or moving to Germany may well be the answer. Fifty years ago moving to Germany or France would have been unthought-of. But today it might be the best way to be happy.
Why Just Go Abroad Once A Year?
If you love to travel and love to see the world then it may seem like heading abroad once a year is much too little, and offers you nowhere near as much of a glimpse at different cultures – as well as what the sun actually looks like – as you would like.
So for those who like to get away as much as possible, why only travel abroad once a year? If you love to get out of Britain and move around then why not simply get out of Britain for good?
Moving to Switzerland – or anywhere else in Europe for that matter – will not only offer you a chance to be abroad all year round, but also a much easier way to travel on a very regular basis. Suddenly, heading to another new country will be as simple as jumping in your car and exploring another new place. One of the great benefits of moving to Switzerland is that you are surrounded by five countries, meaning there is always the chance to head off to somewhere exciting any time you feel like it.
Moving to France also offers a great range of benefits, not least that the weather down in the south is much better meaning that those sun-seekers who crave the sun all year can now enjoy it pretty much all year. Moving to France also offers a quick way home to visit family and friends with the channel tunnel being a quick and easy way to get back whenever you like.
Finding the Right Removals Company
Relocating abroad can be one of the best decisions you ever make, but to really make the most of it it’s important that you deal with the right people. Removals will surely be at the top of your agenda, so to make the whole process as easy as possible, whether you’re moving to Germany or anywhere else, make sure to find the right removals company.
This doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. A quick search on Google will be able to present you with numerous options, and it won’t take long for you to read their websites and weed out the inappropriate choices. This is certainly preferable to looking through the phonebook, as by going online you’ll be able to find reviews of your potential company as well to help you make the right decision.
Make sure you read the small print though, as not all UK removals companies will be able to help you when moving to Germany, Switzerland or elsewhere on the continent. You need to make sure they can deliver the service you’re looking for, and if you’re after anything additional (such as storage space) always ensure they can accommodate.
So, finding the right removals company when moving to Germany or anywhere else will simply require a bit of research. But, why not save yourself the hassle and come straight to us here at European Removal Experts? We’ll have no problem getting your possessions to anywhere on the continent whether you’re moving to France, Germany or just about anywhere else, so make sure to get in touch today to see how we can help.
Swiss Timing
Many of us think nothing of travelling to European countries such as France, Germany or Belgium for either business or leisure trips. Membership of the European Union facilitates easy travel and enables many to find employment throughout much of Europe with minimal fuss. Even visits to non European Union countries such as Switzerland are typically very straightforward and usually trouble-free.
Despite the ease of travel between these countries, the prospect of moving to Germany or moving to France involves a bigger commitment. At the best of times, moving house is a significant project. At the worst of times, it can feel one step from disaster at any point. Moving overseas clearly adds another dimension of complication through both the more complex logistics and the added difficulty of customs clearance. Moving to Switzerland places additional challenges in the form of very strict customs rules and also local laws surrounding behaviour in and around your property.
In order to ensure that any move to Europe runs smoothly, and particularly moving to a unique location such as Switzerland it is hugely beneficial to employ the services of a specialist removal firm. At European Removal Experts, we are exactly this specialist company. We are based in London where we are perfectly located to serve the British Isles in their movements of belongings both to and from Europe.
When moving to Switzerland, we can move either full loads in one easy go or smaller deliveries can be made. For smaller deliveries, we offer the capacity to share container space which ensures that the process is as cost effective as possible. It can be beneficial to not receive all of your belongings in one go and partial transport may be a clever way to achieve this when moving to Switzerland.
When utilising expert assistance, moving to Switzerland can run like clockwork.
Moving To Switzerland To Save On Tax
There has been a lot of speculation in the media about tax rises affecting those with a considerable amount of money in the bank, which is why many people maybe thinking about moving to Switzerland. For those who are considering relocating to Switzerland it is important to be aware that you will be required to relinquish your UK residency, so if you are in the enviable position of moving to Switzerland, there are some things regarding the tax consequences you should expect.
If you are moving to Switzerland, you become a tax resident if you are in the country for a minimum period of 30 days and you are working, or you have been in the country for 90 days without working. If you wish to remain a permanent citizen you must apply for a Swiss Residence Permit, and anyone from the European Union will receive beneficial treatment when it comes to obtaining these permits.
Once you are settled after moving to Switzerland, you will be granted a residency permit, but you must live in Switzerland to retain your residency status. If you are unable to spend 180 days a year in the country after relocating to Switzerland, you must ensure you do not spend more time in any one country than you do in Switzerland. Failure to meet these criteria will result in you not being considered as a Swiss resident.
If you are relocating to Switzerland you will of course take the best legal advice, and you will also want the experts to look after your move. We at European Removal Experts are the experts when it comes to looking after those who are moving to Switzerland, moving to Holland, or moving to any country in Europe.
Moving to Milan
The second largest city in Italy is Milan, which is the capital of Lombardy. Its urban area is the largest in Italy and ranked fifth in Europe. Milan founders were the Insubres which were Celtic people, later on the city became the capital of the Western Europe Empire when it was conquered by the Romans.
These last few decades the number of international immigrants in Milan grew which led to a great increase of foreign born inhabitants. Milan is considered a leading global city and in Italy it is the main financial, commercial and even industrial centre. The business district in Milan the Italian Stock Exchange is hosted and the city is known to be the base of the largest companies and national banks. The city is also said to be the capital of fashion and design.
Milan is home to some important landmarks, theatres and museums, that which attracts a lot of tourists all year long. One important and hard to miss landmark is the Milan Cathedral. The cathedral is the fourth largest in the world. There is also the Santa Maria della Grazie which is a church and Dominican convent is adorned with paintings of Leonardo da Vinci and which is officially recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church contains the mural of Leonardo da Vinci called The Last Supper.
Milan hosts several events and fairs at an international level such as the Milan Furniture Fair and the Milan Fashion Week. The town is also home to two major football teams namely F.C. Internazionale Milano and A. C. Milan.
From the ancient Roman colony there are a few vestiges still left such as the Colonne di San Lorenzo. There are also the great basilicas at the city gates, which are Sant’ Eustorgio, San Simpliciano, Sant’ Nazaro in Brolo and Sant’ Ambrogio. These still stand tall and are regarded as some of the finest and significant churches in the city.
The famous Milan’s Cathedral is the best and most important example of Gothic style architecture and it was built in the years 1386 to 1577. The statue of the Virgin Mary which is gilded with bronze was placed, back in 1774, on the pinnacle at the highest point of the Duomo. Even today the statue is one of the most lasting symbols of the city.
In Milan you will also be able to see the Castello Sforzesco, transformed in the 15th century from an old Viscontean fortress with the purpose of becoming the seat of a Renaissance court. Many well-known architects were commissioned to participate in this projects, including Florentine Filarette who buit the high central tower and Bartolomeo Gadio who was a military specialist.
Influenced by the alliance that formed between Florence’s Cosmino de’ Medici and Francesco Sforza, Tuscan models of Renaissance architecture made their presence known. That can be clearly seen in buildings such as the Ospedale Maggiore, Santa Maria della Grazzie tribune, the three cloisters for Sant’ Ambrogio and Santa Maria presso San Satiro.
Saint Charles Borromeo and Cardinal Federico Borromeo were cousins and an important part of the Counter-Reformation in the 16th century and which lasted until the 17th century. These too had a great influence to the people and to the culture alike, leading to creations such as the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and the Pinoteca Ambrosiana that was just nearby. During this same period, architects such as Francesco Maria Richinno, Pellegrino Tibaldi and Galeazzo Alessi, built many important Baroque mansions and churches.
Later on, during the 18th century, extensive renovations took place in Milan by the request of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. These renovations included the Royal Palace and the Teatro alla Scala which today is the most famous opera house in the world.
Regarded as the best examples of neoclassical architecture in Lombardy, there are the Royal Villa of Milan and the Palazzo Belgioioso. The Royal Villa of Milan was later on the official residence of Austria vice-roys.
While under Napoleon, Milan was named the capital of a satellite Kingdom of Italy and started to be reshaped and new squares and larger boulevards were constructed, as well as cultural institutions, such as the Art Galery and the Academy of Fine arts and the squares named Porta Ticinese and Foro Bonaparte.
Another breathtaking and massive construction that took place was the Arch of Peace which was located at the bottom of Corso Sempione. There is also the Galleria Vitorrio Emanuele II that was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni and that was built as a celebration to Vittorio Emanuele II. The building was inspired by the Bulnighton Arcade in London and has a cast iron roof adorned with glass.
In these last few years, Milan has had an urban decay and renewal of former industrial areas which are now modern residential and financial districs such as Fiera Milano and Porta Nova. According to some, the old exhibition area is to be reshaped to feature residential areas, skyscrapers, museums, and an urban park.
The largest park in the centre of Milan is the Sempiore Park in the northwest and Montanelli Garden in the northeast. The Sempiore Park adopted the English style and has in its premises the Milan City Aquarium and the Napoleonic Arena, as well as a Japanese garden and a public library. There is also a steel lattice panoramic tower and an exhibition centre for those who are interested.
There are various places to visit when in Milan, lots of places to shop and party and it is a city that can offer anything you would ever want or need. It is one of the most recommended places you can move to for a better and more exciting life. Don’t be afraid to live your life, we can help!
We provide a cost effective and reliable service to you. Be it a small or a large number of boxes that needs moving, we can arrange collection of your belongings and relocation, as well as Storage, all only under the best conditions and with highly Qualified Professionals Removers. You can even leave the Packing to us. We will make sure everything will be Packed Securely with only the best Packing Supplies available. If you’re not convinced just use our Free Quote service.
You can contact us for any questions you might have. +44 020 3150 2668
Photographer: Jakub Hałun
Moving to Belgium to Improve Sporting Prowess
There are many reasons why Britons are planning on moving to Belgium, most of them connected with work. However, there is a small group of young athletes who are moving to Belgium to pursue their aims of racing with the best cyclists in the world. Belgium has long been seen as the place to go to hone the skills which are necessary of you want to reach the top ranks of the professional cycling scene. Even if you are connected with cycling and you are moving to Belgium, it won’t be long before you realise that cycling comes second only to football in terms of popularity among Belgian people, which is why there is a growing number of young Brits who want to get involved.
Between February and November just about every town and village in the country will host a bike race which will attract more than 200 competitors. With lucrative prize lists and a fantastic atmosphere – enhanced by the carnival which usually accompanies these races – it soon becomes clear why Belgium is the place to be for aspiring racing cyclists. Of course, many young British riders come to the conclusion that moving to France or moving to Holland will help them reach the top of the sport, but over the last sixty years Belgium has been at the top of the list for young Brits. If you are planning to join them, make sure that your furniture and belongings – especially those valuable bikes! – are entrusted to the experts at European Removal Experts.
Local Knowledge Throughout Europe
Moving house is undoubtedly a significant challenge for anybody and yet some people appear to manage this challenge as though it is part of their daily routine and seemingly get from A to B with minimum of fuss.
It is well understood that some people are far more organised than others and will accordingly make things run more smoothly. However, one of the key differences between the successful mover and the troubled one is the moving company that they use.
Clearly, adding an extra dimension to your house move by moving to France or elsewhere in Europe does take the planning requirement to a higher level. With this added dimension, it becomes even more important to ensure that your removal company specialises in handling the nuances of a move abroad such as when moving to France or moving to Germany.
The subtleties of moving abroad surround elements such as crossing the channel and the customs clearance that this necessitates. Rather than employing a willing novice company to learn the ropes of moving to France at your expense, we at European Removal Experts are simply managing what we do best on a daily basis. Our service is not simply restricted to one way removals. In many cases our services are utilised by people and families returning from France or other European countries. A move does not always necessitate a full household removal. Services can be simply the carrying of one or a handful of valuable or bulky items right up to a full removal van.
Wherever your destination in France may be, you need to be sure that your removal company is able to plan the requirements on your behalf and will be familiar with the processes and quirks of moving to France, a little local knowledge and familiarity with customs may save a great deal of worry.
Moving to Verona
Straddling the Adige River in Veneto is Verona, situated in northern Italy is one of the seven chief-lieus of the region. Verona is the third largest city in northeast Italy and the second largest in the region.
Due to the artistic heritage it owns and annual fairs, operas and shows it is one of the main touristic destination in northern Italy.
Because of the urban structure, architecture and the importance of its many historical buildings, the city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city strives to preserve its many Roman monuments since the early Middle Ages and even though many were badly damaged or destroyed by the January 1117 earthquake. After the earthquake, reconstruction began in a Romanesque style. An important description of Verona in the early medieval era represents the Versus de Verona from the Carolingian period.
When you’re in Verona there are many Roman edifices still available to visit, such as the Roman military settlement which is located in the centre of the city now. The structure can still be seen by air and has been carefully preserved to the present day. Mostly hidden from view, the roman city sits virtually intact at about 6 m below the surface.
Near the Roman forum is the Piazza delle Erbe which was rebuilt using materials such as marble statues and blocks from Roman villages and spas, by the lord of Verona Cansignorio della Scala I and Cangrande I.
One famous construction that makes Verona famous is its amphitheatre, the Arena. The Arena is located in the Piazza Bra, the city largest. The construction was completed around the year 30 AD and it measures up to the width of 110m and length of 139m. It is ranked third largest construction in Italy, after the Colosseum and the arena at Capua. Inside this gladiator games and shows took place and when it was in use it attracted people from way beyond the city. Only a part of the outer perimeter wall original size has remained made in white and pink limestone from Valpolicella and the current two-story facade is the internal support for the tiers. The interior however is fairly intact and is still being put to good use for public events, open-air opera and fairs.
There are several other Roman monuments that can be seen in town, for example the Roman theatre of Verona which was built in the 1st century BC and after not being used for some time, it was built upon and used for housing. A wealthy Veronese bought all the houses built over the theatre in the 18th century and demolished them thus saving the theatre. Near this location there is the Roamn landmark Ponte di Pietra which survived through the time to this day
Another significant construction, which was built in 1st century AD, was the Arco dei Gavi. The construction is famous because it has the architects name engraved on which was unusual in those times. Near the Gavi Arch there is the Porta Borsari, an archway located at the end of Sorso Porta Borsari. It is what’s left of a 3rd century gate that was attached to the original Roman city walls. The inscription gives the name of the city as Colonia Verona Augusta and it is dated back to 245 AD.
Another noted ruin from the 1st century BC is Porta Leoni, which was part of the Roman city gate. It is an open archaeological site the street and from the present street lever you can see the gate contains a small court which was guarded by towers. This is where inspections of the carriages entering or exiting the city were done.
Verona is a city full of the mysterious aura of the history of a great civilisation and it has a certain romantic feel to it. It is amazing to be able to see so many constructions, which just show how fragile and ephemeral life can be and at the same time it show how what we leave behind can be a testimony of our lives. Many visit Verona and fall in love with the wonderful atmosphere and decide to move there. If you are one of those you can just relax and leave it all to us. We can and will help you to make your transit a stress-free one.
We provide a cost effective and reliable service to you. Be it a small or a large number of boxes that needs moving, we can arrange collection of your belongings and relocation, as well as Storage, all only under the best conditions and with highly Qualified Professionals Removers. You can even leave the Packing to us. We will make sure everything will be Packed Securely with only the best Packing Supplies available. If you’re not convinced just use our Free Quote service.
You can contact us for any questions you might have. +44 020 3150 2668
Photographer: Lo Scaligero