Milano: part due

My sister suffers from terrible vertigo, so after a somewhat stressful time up at the top we decided to head to Savini at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a little afternoon pick-me-up. After regaining a sense of calm and whatsapping a few pictures to our parents, we settled into our window-side seats where we people watched for a bit. 

Where's Wally?... Or Jen?

Special mention goes out to the fabulous grandmother who was decked out in a full-length mink paired with gold, sequined MBTs. After spotting a constant stream of grinning people tucking into treats from “Luini” we decided to head to the Panzerotti spot with a huge sense of food envy that we desperately needed to rectify.

The queue went right out the door, filtered into the streets and onto the other side of the road. Undeterred, we took our spots in the queue and patiently waited our turns. Admiring the extensive menu of sweet and savoury treats, we chose our respective panzerottis (mozzarella and tomato for me, and mozzarella and salami for my sister), placed our orders and left satisfied customers. The panzerottis were unbelievably delicious! Soft pillows of fried/baked dough with an unctuous filling. Piping hot and filling us up with warmth, it was the perfect 4PM treat!

Clutching onto our panzerottis, we wandered down to Via Monte Napoleone (affectionately known as ‘MonteNapo’) where we went out to search for some treats to take back home! After hearing so much about this ‘mecca of luxury’, we were somewhat disappointed. Perhaps we’re unbelievably spoilt for choice in London, but I was expecting super shiny, uber luxe, and all that’s in between! We headed into all our favourite stores, but nothing screamed “Buy Me And I Will Love You Back Forever”. With dinner-time fast approaching we decided to head back to the hotel to freshen up for our sister date ♥♥♥♥♥!!!

We got ready in a flash and headed back to the Duomo to have dinner at Giacomo Arengario which is at the top of the Museo del Novecento. We requested for a table with a view – which was TOTALLY worth it! With views overlooking the piazza del Duomo, we looked through the extensive menu which was full of delicious options. As an offshoot of the legendary Da Giacomo restaurant on via Sottocorno, Giacomo Arengario serves traditional Italian food with a leaning towards Tuscan cuisine. We ordered an Ossobucco with Milanese Risotto, Risotto Fruits de Mer, and some sautéed turnip tops – all incredibly delicious!

After filling ourselves up with so much food that we practically couldn’t breathe we decided to walk down the winding circular walkway down to the ground floor – and get a cheeky glimpse of the art on the lower levels! We left the museum and wandered to the now empty piazza del Duomo. It was incredible to see both the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II at nighttime – so serene and beautiful!

Milano: part uno

You’ve got to ALWAYS start the day right, and on our first day in Milan we did exactly that. After dropping our bags off at the hotel we wandered around the corner to 10 Corso Como where we ate and shopped!

The little café’s entrance is through a greenhouse which is just FULL of greenery! We decided to have a proper meal (why not?) so were led into the dining room, which was just so gorgeous! There were lots of ‘O’s – to reflect all the ‘o’s in “10 Corso Como” perhaps? Lots of mirrored surfaces, mixed textures and chic flower arrangements… and the food!! We popped in for a light meal, I even considered just ordering a coffee and brioche. But when in Italy, or Eataly as I affectionately call it. Pasta it was! My sister opted for the gluten free penne, whilst I went for a tomato and ricotta dish – bellisima!!!

A quick post-lunch rest at the hotel and then off to the Duomo we went! The weather was beautiful! Despite the chilly temperatures, the skies were blue and the sun was out – what more could we ask for? As the first weekend after the new Pope was appointed, the Duomo was absolutely packed! The entrance fee was waivered and swarms of people flocked to the Catholic landmark to celebrate the occasion. After a wander through the Duomo, we decided to get on the Ascencor to take in the views at the top.

Ready and waiting with our 'Ascensor' tickets! Stairs?! In these heels?!?!!

Being on top of the Duomo we felt even closer to the incredibly detailed architecture. There’s one thing to view a building, then to go in it. But being on top of it, interacting with the balustrades and in touching distance of the spires was incredible. Though parts of the terrace were being restored, we were still able to admire the incredible monument and the views! 

Milano: Maison Moschino

This weekend my lovely sister whisked me off for a weekend of shopping/eating/sightseeing in the wonderful city of Milano. We packed our weekend bags (very last minute of course), headed to the airport at 5am, and before we even had a chance to properly wakeup we found ourselves at the doors of the gorgeous Maison Moschino!

Located in the Garibaldi area of Milan, the hotel is a little outside of the central, touristy area of the Duomo. Quiet during the day, but lively in the evenings, the hotel is located near Corso Como, home to the (in)famous 10 Corso Como shopping mecca.

The hotel is very cute and charming! My sister has a knack for booking us into design focused boutique hotels. Our last sister-trip saw us checked into the amazing Hotel Silken Puerta América in Madrid. Masion Moschino was a little more intimate with fewer rooms and fewer floors. Upon entrance, the hotel is very distinctly ‘Moschino’…  the paper couture dresses, floating cloud light fixtures and grinning sheep to perch upon.

All the rooms are named for their theme: Alice’s Room, Life is a Bed of Roses, the Attic Room, and the iconic Dress Room. We stayed in the Ivy Room, with gorgeous striped, fabric walls with metallic ivy-shaped sculptures ‘climbing’ around our walls. There are cute details all over the hotel, from the heart-shaped locks and ‘Privacy Please’ signs, to key-shaped motifs on the toiletries and hanging along the corridor…

And of course, the spa! Its not quite up there in the spa stakes, but after two days of stomping around Milan’s cobble-stoned streets in 5-inch heels, a little R&R in a steam room/plunge pool/relaxation lounge was just what the doctor ordered! Of course after all of that spa-ing, we just HAD to re-charge with cappucinos, cioccolato calda, and some fashion magazines!

And after a few hours of relaxing, we packed our bags and headed back to Malpensa Airport where we said Ciao Milano….

Ciao!!!