Expo 2015 is finally here, and with the world fair running through October 31, there is still plenty of time to visit.

Getting to the fair is easy and convenient, with metro trains running every few minutes from Milan’s main square, Piazza del Duomo.  The ride takes about 25 minutes, at a cost of 2.50 euro each way.  If you are traveling from outside of Milan, many of the high speed trains stop directly at the fair grounds.  Trenitalia offers non-stop service from Venice to Milan (2.5 hours), from Rome in 3 hours, and from Bologna and Verona in under 2 hours.  From the Lakes Region of Lake Como, Lake Garda, etc., Milan is an easy day trip. 

Admission costs 39 euro, but for those who want to save money for the plethora of food items available inside, there is a 5 euro evening ticket available from 7-11pm.  While the latter option also provides an escape from the heat, keep in mind that many of the pavilions close at 8pm.

Over 140 participating countries have contributed to the global showcase centered around the theme “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.”  Many of the exhibits focus on sustainability, offering solutions for how to feed our ever-growing population.  Some of the more interesting proposals for the future include “cultivating the sea” to create floating farms, 3-D printers to produce food items, and fully automated supermarkets.  You can visit the “supermarket of tomorrow,” complete with digital panels that display nutritional information for an item as you point to it (fat content, salt, allergens, etc.) as well as suggestions of what else to try based upon your selection.

The 270 acre former industrial zone has been divided up into thematic areas and “clusters,” which bring countries together based on their principal export, such as Cocoa and Chocolate, Coffee, Rice, and Spices.  Thematic areas include a Biodiversity Park, Future Food District, and for the youngsters a Children’s Park.  Thankfully there is a free shuttle bus constantly circling the perimeter to transport fairgoers from one area to the next.  Since there is so much to see, we recommend doing some research ahead of time and map out a rough plan for your visit.  

After years of planning and billions of dollars spent, Expo 2015 is worth a visit.  Even if you get tired of waiting in line (although most pavilions have little or no cue), you can always do what Italians do best: eat.