Also in this December 2024 we returned to the usual annual appointment with the Artisan at the Fair. Always beautiful exhibition venue, which we reached by metro, line M1 (red): about half an hour's journey from the Duomo; be careful to use the trains to Rho Fieramilano and not those to Bisceglie. Even though today was a weekday and we got there about 11am, it was full of people, which then gradually increased over time; however, the site is so vast that the crowd disperses. Prices, unfortunately, continue to rise compared to last year, but they are always competitive. Also this year it seemed a bit 'out of date the level of food, there are still 30 restaurants including regional Italian and ethnic and international cuisine, as well as 18 fast food. It is always a must-see destination, even for purchases for next Christmas.

Line 1 (red) metro, Rho Fiera exit. The exhibition, grandiose , is open until Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 9.45 to 22.30. Transport by Mm is hyper crowded, but it is still better to reach the middle by metro and leave the car where it is. After an underground path, not too short, you reach the floor of the entrance gate, very crowded, you would need more ‘turnstiles not to burden the fluidity’ of the turnout very slowed down by the controls, fortunately, meticulous. Finally you can go up to the exhibition floor characterized by a large central walkway that allows access to the pavilions both from the right and from the left. The exhibition was divided into two main sectors: those of the Italian regions and that of the other participating nations. The offer of national products and 'remarkable, all the best of niche food and 'Here exhibited and presented by standistas available and prepared. Among the stands to visit I would like to mention the one in the Abruzzo region, with particular mention for the cheesemaker Federico di Bellante TE and the beekeeper Iacovanelli di Chieti who present products of absolute excellence and for the leather workshop “LA SELLERIA” in L’Aquila which produces artifacts with fine raw materials of great quality.’ Excellent stand of Piedmont that showcases its exceptional production of presented hazelnuts: toasted, covered with white or dark chocolate and delicious desserts that have in hazelnut its own compositional base. I found remarkable the stand of the Apulian region with exhibitors who presented a boundless variety of taralli and excellent EVO oils.

They use a big open tarmac area at the northern end of the complex which they apparently turn into a concert arena for a part of the summer. The entrance is at "Cargo 1", which is a long walk from the metro station. They have two separate areas. There is a "Pit" which guarantees you to be closer to the stage, and another standing area behind. The food is utterly terrible and appallingly disorganised. You have to purchase tokens first and, typically, the token booth is way beyond where you buy the food so loads of people got to the front of the queue to find that they had to use tokens, go to queue for the tokens, then come back an queue again. 10 Euros for a ham sandwich? Daylight robbery.

I went to the Rho fair for “the Artisan at the fair” with a friend of mine. The morning of a weekly day is definitely ideal because there are not as many people as on the weekend. It is feasible to see all the stands without too many queues and casinos. We saw live flamingo shows in the Spain stand.

At the artisan fair it is always nice to go... even if chaotic... so many people .. but ideal for buying Christmas gifts a little 'special. It's well organized. Tastings everywhere... prices are a bit high but a tip if you can go on the last day of the fair certain stands make discounts.

The appointment at Artigiano in Fiera is now unmissable! As every year, many stands with objects and food products from many countries around the world. For food, the stands of the Italian regions are unrivaled! We bought many items, especially multiethnic ones, from India, Nepal, Algeria (country of honor 2024), France .. and of course Italy. We left the Fair in the evening with full trolleys and very satisfied with the purchases .... We arrived at the Fair by car. Paid parking P1. Free entrance to the Fair, just download the invitation from the intranet or an email.

A facility we visited for the furniture fair. It is very neat and tidy in terms of its general structure. It is the largest fair center in the city. Although it is located far from the city center, it is easy to reach by metro. Food alternatives within the fairground are quite reasonable.