Carnival in Milan

Milan, the most modern city of Italy

I'm very proud of my city, which is the most modern in Italy and I think that is becoming more and more...friendly with everyone: citizens, cyclists, old people, poor people, young people and tourists! Every day I discover that something new is under construction. Car sharing, bike sharing, new projects for green areas, open wifi areas, everything goes in the right direction to create the city I want. And for the tourists? The cultural offer is extremely wide and I think this ferment is breathable. Taking a look to the tourist portal of Milan is Tourism is enough to realize that this bustling city is much more than just fashion, design and finance!

Milan is amazing, bustling, exciting, rich in culture and soul!

Psstt......a free guide to the city can be download it here...

Sweets or coal?

Today in Italy, we celebrate the Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the Baby Jesus carrying their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, but this day is also related with the legend of the Befana, a good witch who rides a broom and carries presents - specially sweets - to the good kids and coal to the bad ones (I hope I'm going to get at least sugar coal...;-))

Milan is the perfect place to be in this day, since in the morning it takes place the Befana Motociclistica, a funny motorcyclist meeting, where a Befana is escorted by hundred bikers from the Castle trough the center of the city and gives sweets to poor children.

If you've missed this and want to see something more "historical", be at 11.45 in Piazza Duomo and follow the procession of the Magi, a parade with costumed participants which takes place since 1336 and goes from the Duomo to Sant'Eustorgio, the ancient church where the Three Wise Men are buried...I bet you didn't know it!

 The church of Sant'Eustorgio. Because of the Magi on the tower bell there is a star instead of a cross !

And tomorrow back to work, because as the proverb says: "The Epiphany...and all the holidays takes away!"

Happy new year!

Wishing you a 2014 full of love, travels and new horizons!

Roadsigns by Clet Abraham in Milan

For those who don't know, Clet Abraham, is a French-born street artist, now based in Florence who plays with the meanings of the roadsigns modifying them. The results are magical and unexpected, on the signs appear little black men, eyes, hearts, and anonymous signs come to life and become pieces of art. 

Clet loves Milan, here is possible to spot a lot of his works and he said that he like working in Milan because the city is very open and ready for this kind of art. 

Here you find some roadsigns I've caught walking around the city but keep your eyes open because there are much more and is always possible to spot new ones! I promise I'll add other!

Cupcake Couture, a paradise for cupcake lovers

Today I'll tell you a secret..about what I've just did. It's a sunny but freezing day and I definitely needed calories to go on...and thanks God I know the right address! The name of the shop tells everything - Cupcake Couture - and I come here when I'm happy/sad/ normal..actually when I think I deserve a treat :-)
This small shop is like a paradise for cupcake lovers (like me), it seems to enter in a fairy tale, behind the counter instead of Willy Wonka there's a lovely lady who will help you to choose the cupcakes, and you'll need her because choosing is not so easy, they all look so yummy!
The cupcakes are in different flavors, colorful and have funny and cute decorations. Today I've decided for a vanilla/blueberry one with a light blue frosting, opalescent small sugar balls and a sugar snowman!

They don't just sell cupcakes but also all this candies and sweets I've always seen in cartoons and always wanted!

Ok, since is sunny what I need is just a sunny place where I can take a rest and taste my dessert! Have I've ever told you that the park behind San Lorenzo's Church is one of my favorites? 

I'm proud to introduce to you my sweet snowman :-)

Love at first bite...mhhh...yummy!!!

End of the story and of the cupcake...psst..don't tell anyone, it's a secret!

«Milanesi non si nasce. Si diventa»

Today, in this gray and rainy day so typical for Milan, I want to pay a tribute to one of the most important Italian journalists, Indro Montanelli (Quotes here), who was born in Tuscany but who has been also a real Milanese because as she loved to say "People are not milanese by birth, but they become Milanesi" and I think it's true. I'm not Milanese and I find myself in Montanelli's words, I moved to Milan 11 years ago and in these years I've learned to know this city which at the beginning seemed to me crowded and impersonal. At the beginning was an hard work, similar to the one needed in a wedding, I had my habits and the city had its own, but then when we both learned to know each other, our love raised more and more. Every day is a surprise, Milan needs to be discovered slowly, 

In the following pictures you'll find some of the hidden gems that the city gives only to its true lovers (and to their friends). 

A cat hidden in a palace in Corso Monforte (I won't tell you where...it's a secret!). 

A two-faced lady in the Cappella Portinari. 

The statue of a skinned Apostle in the Duomo

 Indro Montanelli writing on his typewriter in the park he loved and where he used to stroll around