Milan 2026: Why It’s Time to Start Planning

October 4, 2025

As I begin to lock in my own trip for 2026 flights, accommodation, and even what to do before and after the fair I’ve been reflecting on what Milan has meant to me over the years. I’ve been fortunate to visit five times now, and each trip has been its own unique experience.

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Milan has a way of changing you. It’s not just the scale of Salone del Mobile, or the endless energy of Fuorisalone across the Brera district. It’s the way the city itself hums with design, from the moment you land to the late-night dinners that turn into conversations about life, creativity, and possibility. Each time I’ve gone, I’ve come home with something new. Sometimes it’s ideas for projects, sometimes it’s friendships that last a lifetime, sometimes it’s supplier relationships that evolve into long-term collaborations. In fact, a number of our business opportunities and product connections can be traced back to chance encounters and introductions in Milan.

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But I’ll be honest: it can be overwhelming. Milan Design Week is huge, spread across the city, and filled with so much to see and do that you can’t possibly cover it all. Between the fair, the Brera events, and everything else that makes Italy so intoxicating the food, the landmarks, the nightlife it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out. That’s part of the beauty of it, but also part of the challenge.

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That’s where group tours make such a difference. If it’s your first time, they’re the perfect way to get a true introduction without worrying about logistics or FOMO. Even for those who’ve been before, sometimes it’s a relief to simply go with the flow and let someone else take the reins, knowing you’re in good hands.

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This year’s ACFA 2026 Tour really captures that spirit. Not only will participants experience the fair and the Brera design district, but they’ll also get exclusive behind-the-scenes access to factories like Unox Casa, Latho Components, and Cabinetti Panels opportunities that you wouldn’t easily arrange on your own. It’s the kind of access that gives you a deeper understanding of the craft and innovation that sit behind the products we work with every day.

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Looking back, I can say with certainty that Milan has been one of the most rewarding investments in our practice. The friendships I’ve built there continue to inspire me. The suppliers I first met in Milan are now part of our projects. The ideas sparked in those showrooms and courtyards still influence the way we design today.

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If you’ve ever thought about going, my advice is simple: don’t wait. Milan Design Week isn’t just another trade fair it’s an experience that stays with you long after you’ve returned home. And if it’s your first time, the ACFA tour is the perfect way to dive in.

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🔗 Explore the ACFA 2026 Tour HERE

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