Photo du Jour - Espresso

Autumn makes me long for Italy.

I traveled to Milan a year ago and to Lucca two years ago. Both amazing places. One busy, bustling and an interesting mix of old and new. The other tranquil, red brick and charming.
Both had fabulous food and strong, liquid energy espresso that I couldn't get enough of. Pin It

Photo du Jour

One of the desserts we had in Milan. A moist cake with hazelnut cream and chopped hazelnuts. It was amazing!
Anyone know what it is called? Pin It

Photos du Jour

The marble floor in the Duomo in Milan was just stunning! Pin It

Photo du Jour

The tempting view from one of our café tables in Milan. Pin It

Photo du Jour

A demistasse of dense, rich espresso. I couldn't get enough of these in Milan! Pin It

Photo du Jour

The courtyard of the Castello Sforzesco in Milan. Pin It

Impressions of Milan

Almost everyone told me Milan was an industrial, ugly city that wasn't really worth the visit. I only received one positive recommendation from a friend.

Well, I loved it!

I don't know if I just love Italy in general, but I thought Milan was a bustling, vibrant city with a wonderful feel. Sure, it had some boring-looking areas, but the center is beautiful and I enjoyed the vibe of the place.

I thought the marble floors inside the Duomo were stunning


and the exterior was lacy and fragile looking


almost everywhere I looked there was beauty (and I'm not just talking about the men!)



Surprisingly the prices weren't as bad as I expected. Granted we didn't eat in fine dining establishments, nor in the Armani, Versace and Prada boutique area, but we ate in a restaurant or trattoria every day. The average price for the four of us, with a course or two each and some house wine and coffee, was around 60€. And the food was superb! Our cheapest meals were in a bar al panino and one night two of us went out for döner kebabs and a soda, which only cost 8€!

Another surprise was how nice and friendly everyone was. I think I'm so used to the brusque behavior from service people in France that I expect it now when I travel. How sad is that?

I traveled with three friends from New Orleans. Ron and another couple who became engaged while we were there. Congratulations you two!


we spent three hours sitting under the heaters in this outdoor café, watching the beautiful people


It rained the entire time we were there but it didn't ruin it for us. We had such a great time and I would be happy to visit again.
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Photo du Jour

We had the best panini at this little bar.
I loved all the little bar/cafés in Milan. The servers were all incredibly friendly and helpful, the prices weren't bad and the food was fantastic! Pin It

Photos du Jour - Italian Confection Heaven

You need to be an Italian millionaire to afford these perfect, beautiful goodies. But what wonderful eye candy!


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Photo du Jour - From Italy

Gorgeous gelato in Milano.

I'm back! Thanks to our visiting computer expert, Zach, for getting things up and running again. Pin It

Magnificent Milan

Ah, Italy... you captured my heart again. Between the heady demitasses of espresso, the perfect pizza and focaccia bread, the wine, the shoes, the art, the beautiful men and women...
I didn't want to come home!

But I'm back, with three friends from New Orleans in tow. Add them to the three family members we already have visiting and it makes for a busy, busy week coming up.
Ciao for now! Pin It

Twelve Days Until Milan...

and I need some suggestions!

Have you ever been? Do you have any recommendations?

We're staying in the center and have four days to experience the city. I've booked tickets for Leonardo's Last Supper, but that is our only planned event.
I'm traveling with non foodie/ happy-to-eat-a-ham-and-cheese-sandwich-every-day-of-his-life friend. (it was a difficult relationship at first, but I've gotten over this strange, alien personal trait) But he is happy to try new things.

When I travel, I love to wander around and discover little, hidden places and sit in cafés and watch people.
What are the great people watching piazzas of Milan? Any cheap and cheerful trattorias that aren't too far off the beaten path? Any specialty food shops I should check out that might not be in guidebooks? Any websites about Milan that I should check out?

Grazie in advance! Pin It