Walking through the streets of Milano.

Oh, to be an Italian garbage bin.

No one does litter like the Italians. 

I saw this bursting garbage bin on a random sidewalk, on one of my early AM walks through Milano this Christmas. I had to smile. Because let´s face it, if you are a garbage bin carrying all kinds of disgusting trash in your embrace all your life, then I think being filled with empty San Pellegrino bottles, that might or might not have a red lipstic smudge on it from a passing Sophia Loren, would bring you garbage heaven dont you think?

Just a thought...

These pictures are just random shots from Milano on one bleak winter morning. 

A beautiful haze of gray dimmed the city lights, and made my meander quite otherworldly.

Nothing, grand, nothing big, just a morning stroll amongst genuine, and not so genuine expressions of art.

Il Duomo. 

Majestic, and engulfed in mystery. 

No matter how many times I visit her, she never seizes to impress me. 

She possesses an allure of mystique and beauty that always gives me the chills.

On these mornings, I always pay the many basilicas and churches a visit. 

They are many. They are beautiful.  And they are filled with incense, frescos', mosaics, paintings, ornaments, sculptures, and locals. 

They are all worth a visit to indulge in art, contemplation, and pure amusing observation of the local milanese.

Beautiful details from a wall outside a basilica.

It´s hard to capture the bleak winter light of Milano that was perfect for my little morning stroll. Nevertheless, those strolls are what I love the most about traveling. No tour-guide, no maps, no stress, no agenda, just the city and you. 

And the best part..... at the end of the stroll there is always a bar to indulge in a cappuccino or two.

Buon Viaggo!

Restaurants in Milan

Here is a petite page from my little black book in regards to a handful great spots for taking a bite in Milan.

Zero Due

Via Cucchiari Domenico, 20

20155 Milano (MI), Italy

+39 02 34592676‎

I dont have a picture from this one, but think Italian gourmet in a setting of old basilica type interior with a hyper modern transparent glass floor.

Fabbrica Pizzeria 

con cucina

Viale Pasubio 2

Milano, Italy

+ 39 02 6552771

 Here is their link:

www lafabbricapizzeria.it

For a slice of Milan all to yourself, go to Vittorio Emanuele. 

Try Auto Grill despite its unappetizing name, on the third floor. 

Order Risotto Milanese and sit by the window with your own personal view of The Duomo.

 I do this every time I am in Milan. 

It is a must.

The absolute hottest bakery in Milan right now, without skimping on flavor. I always swing by this modern haven of traditional goods.

Princi

Here is the link with addresses and directions:

http://www.princi.it/

If you happen to be there for your early morning Cappuccino, the bakers are doing their thing right in front of you with

only a separation of a stylish glass wall.

Enjoy!

Il Café

Emporio Armani Café

P.ta Croce Rossa 2

20121 Milano

Just because you can....

Milan part one

Milan is truly a shopping Mecca like no other. The city and its inhabitants oooz style and fail any attempt to not seem all stylish. So here is a stylish list over "miss-me-not" things in Milan for all the senses.

Corso Como

We might as well start at the top. This secluded place in Corso Como just 3 min metro ride from the very center of Milan offers all you need to feel alive, cultured, relaxed, sooo stylish, and a dash of intellectual.

http://www.10corsocomo.com/

It used to be the "IT" place for the über fashion pack of Europe, with its perfectly provoking, ahead of the crowd and deliciously fashionable store of the latest Prada, Balenciaga and Hussein Chalayan and much, much more. I must admit that I felt a tad overwhelmed with delightful emotions when I touch a impeccably beautiful floor-length creme colored dress by Vionnet, the first collection after the french fashion house reopened with Sophia Kokosolaki as its head designer.

Then there is the gallery. This month, May, they have two exhibitions. Families around the world and war shots form a handful very skilled photographers.

So after some shopping that will totally empty any well filled bank account, hit the gallery, the incredible bookstore on the second floor. Then relax the rest of the evening under the stars in the back yard lounge and restaurant where the mandatory bread is replaced with chocolate covered apricots.

Vittorio Emanuele

Ok, so I just had to toss this logo in here. Humor me, for one cannot go to Italy without allowing oneself to enjoy at least a visual of a Prada. Right next to the famous Duomo in the city center you will find the most exquisite shopping mall ever!

If you have ever been to a mall, abandon that image of a tasteless food-court, mainstream brands not to mention the tasteless and destructive to the esthetic eye kinda architecture. Vittorio Emanuele is something completely different. Prepare to actually for a moment forget that you are there for the shops and catch yourself staring at the ceiling, the mosaic on the floor, the sculptures and.... wait for it.... while the scenery is breathtaking like an italian art museum, the stores very high end, what really caught my eye was the aged whit-bearded man that was an onlooker from a secluded corner.

I wonder what he is thinking....watching all the buzz from a distance..

More to come....

Honoring the dead and their guardian statues in Milano

When in Milan, Italy, weather you have a month, a week or just 24 hours, there is one place that is worth the visit above all the other places in town.

Cimitero Monumentale.

Traditionally it is were all the important and rich Milanese families were buried, and since we are in Italy of course nothing is done without a certain dose of style.

In Cimitero Monumentale the dead simply buried underground with their names carved in a rather sad stone is not an option. They are all honored with small castles, amazing statues and sculptures, with an oasis of flowers and lush trees casting their mysterious shadows around.

The catacombs, where the cremated are resting for all eternity, offer a tad more spooky light over the whole scene, but I hope the photo-gallery underneath will be able to capture some of the magnificent and a tad melancholic essence of this amazingly peaceful place.

http://www.monumentale.net/

The photographer in action.

Celebrating Italian People

Then "mexican drug cartel" showed up at the 1st of May parade in Milan..... you gotta love a man with attitude and a straw-hat. 

In the fashion capital of Milan nothing is impossible.

Who says a bit of cleavage is not in right now?