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Milan, in the north of Italy, is famous for its fashion.  But, most people I know don’t see the point in visiting the city. I disagree.  On almost every trip I take to Italy, I find myself spending a day, or two, in this large beautiful city where I do a little shopping, of course, but also some exploring. Flying into Milan’s Malpensa airport, the Malpensa Express is a 29 minute train that costs only 11 Euro into the heart of Milan (Milano Cadorna station). Quick, easy and inexpensive, this is the best way to get to/from the airport. The next challenge is finding accommodations.  While there are many hotels in Milan, finding something central that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, but still has charm, can be a challenge. Instead of a hotel, renting an apartment or villa for a few days makes you feel like a local. Check out NovecentoCasean agency specialized in renting apartments in city center, who partners with 5 Star Service run by Alejandro Mazza and Emotionphy Communication. They focus on finding private luxury villas that sleep between 1-6 people and include hotel amenities such as toiletries, robes and a concierge.
For the closing party at Portland Cocktail Week, U.S. Bartenders Guild members from all across the country came together and represented their home states. 40 chapters were represented, which meant alot of drinks!  From the east coast to the west coast, from the north to the south, we did our best to travel the country and taste the drinks. Yes, it was a fun night and a perfect way to conclude a successful Portland Cocktail Week.
Think "Restaurant Wars" (a la Top Chef) for bartenders.  This year at Portland Cocktail WeekBacardi sponsored a bar challenge. There were four teams made up of eight students each, a mixture of the different education majors at PDXCW. They had to create a bar, from concept to design to entertainment to the menu, in just 10 hours!
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