Nat Geo Day Tour: Handmade in Milan

Weave through the heart of Milan's Isola district to discover the city's artisanal heritage through a story about inclusion, sustainability and tradition. This exclusive tour opens the doors to some of the most influential 'botteghe artigiane' - craft workshops, where the fusion of tradition and modernity takes center stage. Your National Geographic-trained guide will reveal the history and evolution of the Isola district, transporting you into the world of Italian craft making, where reverence for materials, people, and sustainability prevails. Start your tour with a burst of color and passion at KeChic fashion atelier. Valeria and Cheikh will share the heritage and artistry behind their handmade garments, designing each creation with a genuine love for their work. The reverence for traditional skills continues at Bertucci Romani bookbinders shop. Discover the lab above the shop, normally closed to the public, where you will watch the process of bookbinding and witness the creativity of the owners in realizing cards, posters and building boxes for all occasions and events. Continue your tour to the family-run Laboratorio Cagliani, where you'll witness the intricate process of breathing new life into timeless pieces of furniture. Specializing in restoration using the same skills as when the original piece was crafted, the Cagliani workshop upholds the spirit of the past. The last stop is Uroburo atelier. A jewelry shop, a gold laboratory and a social cooperative: they promote environmental sustainability by using fair trade raw materials and social inclusion by employing people with mental illnesses and allowing them to learn a job. Your tour will end with a delightful typical Milanese lunch at a local trattoria in the Isola district.