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Milan is like an old soul in a young body. You can hear the violins, see the walls, feel the history in every corner. This vibe buzzes through the air, this zeitgeist, no hectic pace, but expectation, joy, excitement. The city is pure pleasure – culinary, visual, olfactory – and always worth a visit. If you don’t get infected with joie de vivre here, there’s no help for you anywhere in the world. And once you fall in love with Milan, your heart will stay there forever. Sara Vergani is fascinated by this place and knows the places that make Milan so special.
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Living
Cinderella and Rapunzel would stay at Château Monfort if they were in Milan. Each of the rooms is like a fairy tale come true. The hipster hotel among the sleeping options in Milan is 3ROOMS. Slow food, designer clothes, live music and art installations – you’ll find everything that’s on trend here. Leather, glass and natural woods dominate the interior of the Magna Pars Suites Milano. What’s more, the view of the garden from the room is the most beautiful in the whole city. Or how about a cozy Bed&Breakfast? Like The Yard, for example, which even has its own movie theater, or the Palazzo Segreti, where you feel like you’re on another planet. If you like industrial chic, head to Loft Rossosegnale, a former photo studio.
Château Monfort, Corso Concordia, 1, www.hotelchateaumonfort.com
3Rooms, Corso Como, 10, www.3rooms-10corsocomo.com
Magna Pars Suites Milano, Via Vincenzo Forcella, 6, www.magnapars-suitesmilano.it
The Yard, Piazza XXIV Maggio, 8, www.theyardmilano.com
Palazzo Segreti, Via San Tomaso, 8, www.palazzosegreti.com
Loft Rossosegnale, via Sacchini, 18, www.rossosegnale.it
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Food
Anyone who thinks about dieting in Milan has only themselves to blame. At Taveggia, you start the morning with rice pudding or a delicious pastry filled with chocolate or other delicacies. If you’re in a hurry, the sandwiches at Chic&Go are just the thing; if you have a little more time, sit down for a plate of homemade meatballs at The Small or enjoy the tuna spaghetti at Il Bacaro del Sambuco. Simple Italian cuisine is served at La Taverna del Verziere (the risotto is amazing!), Japanese delicacies at Gong Oriental Attitude. At La Lisca, you can choose your own fish and its preparation, and Al Garghet celebrates Milanese cuisine like no other restaurant in the city.
Taveggia, Via Uberto Visconti di Modrone, 2, www.taveggia.it
Chic&Go, Via Bigli, 20, www.chic-and-go.com
The Small, Via Niccolò Paganini, 3, www.thesmall.it
Il Bacaro del Sambuco, Via Monte Napoleone, 13, www.ilsambuco.it
La Taverna del Verziere, Via Marziale, 11, www.tavernadelverzieremilano.com
Gong Oriental Attitude, Corso Concordia, 8, www.gongmilano.it
La Lisca, Via Marghera, 29, www.lalisca.eu
Al Garghet, Via Selvanesco, 36, www.algarghet.it
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Shopping
Milan has it all: fashion, beauty, interiors, delicacies. A detour into the alleyways and away from the main shopping streets is worthwhile – but keep an eye on your wallet. On 600 square meters, Antonia offers the latest fashion and the hottest pieces of the season, colorfully mixed with art and decorative items. Cool vintage sunglasses are available at Foto Veneta, while Spotti takes care of your furnishings, passes on tips and tricks and shows you the latest furniture trends in the showroom. Spazio Rossana Orlandi is a fascinating store where you could spend hours. Design objects and art items are waiting to be discovered. The offer is constantly changing. The most beautiful bookshop in Milan is Design Library, completely furnished in Italian style and designed by James Irvine. At Cascina Cuccagna, you buy what will be in the cooking pot in a few hours. Everything is organic and of incredibly good Italian quality.
Antonia, Via Cusani, 5, www.antonia.it
Foto Veneta, Via Torino, 57, www.fotovenetaottica.com
Spotti, Viale Piave, 27, www.spotti.com
Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Via Matteo Bandello, www.rossanaorlandi.com
Design Library, Via Savona, 11, www.designlibrary.it
Cascina Cuccagna, Via Giuseppe Ponzio, 82, www.cuccagna.org
Party
Italians celebrate always and everywhere. But the city really comes to the boil during the fashion weeks. Then it’s worth dressing up to mingle with the fashion crowd afterwards.
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Quarters
To go out, we stroll along the pavement and into the Navigli, Darsena and Colonne di San Lorenzo districts. Small bars and pretty boutiques can be found in Brera. For the big weekly shop, head to the Mercato Metropolitano, the regional farmers’ market.
Mercato Metropolitano, Via Valenza, 2, www.mercatometropolitano.it
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Must Do
Expo 2015 is taking place in Milan until the end of October, where there is an incredible amount to see during the day and in the evening. Things are a little more exclusive on the roof of Palazzo Beltrami: 24 people sit together here and enjoy the view and the food – an incredible experience. In the new Shiseido Spa at the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, you can relax and let yourself be pampered. The Mercato dell’ Antiquariato, the antiques market, takes place on the last Sunday of every month. It is worth allowing a little more time here. If the weather plays tricks on you, head to the Fondazione Prada, stroll through the exhibitions and enjoy your first aperitivo at the Bar Luce.
Shiseido Spa, Piazza Duca D’Aosta, 9, www.shiseidospamilan.com
Fondazione Prada, Largo Isarco, 2, www.fondazioneprada.org
Events
Expo 2015
until 31.10.
Every country has the opportunity to show its best side. A must for all those who make it to Milan in the fall.
www.expo2015.org
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Sara Vergani
Is International Sales Manager. Loves to explore the world. Hates eternal yes-men and negative people.