OCCUPATION: Communications Director for Coccinelle

MY STYLE: My style is a mix of simple and chic basics with modern and fashionable pieces. I love fabulous dresses and very high-heeled shoes as well as discovering new desingers or spending an afternoon in Topshop.

I LOVE MILAN BECAUSE: Milan is a great city for families, because there are a lot of excellent facilitites to cater to every need: schools, parks, hospitals, sports centers. It is also ideally located close to lakes, mountains, and the sea, so it is quite easy to organize the family for a nice weekend away, whatever the season. We love our Brera neighborhood, because aside from being in the city’s center, it has not lost its charm as an almost old-fashioned and very close-knit neighborhood where everyone knows each other and people still say “hello” to you on the street and call you by name.

Pasticceria Ranieri

This small pastry shop in Mirabello has been a vital part of the neighborhood since its opening in 1967. The traditional looking décor is not a façade—each meticulously created bread, cookie, and, or course, panettone is truly superlative. Don’t be fooled by imposters! There are several bakeries under the same name in Milan, but the Via Moscova Ranieri is the original.

N’Ombra de Vin

Stocking more than 3,000 bottles, this enoteca always has something new to try—or to take home. The real attraction, though, is the dramatic setting: a vaulted 15th century monastic refectory. The small wine bar at the entrance also serves a couple snacks to nibble on, like cheeses, olives, and small pastries.

Tennis Club Milano

For practical reasons, we love the facilities of this sports club. It’s got a large swimming pool, room to play football, and well-groomed tennis courts. The ornate 1920s clubhouse has cheery yellow walls and stately white molding that set the mood for any occasion. What’s more, the club offers tennis lessons for children starting at 3 years old.

Chocolat

Chocolat serves high-end gelato made from premium ingredients. Many consider it to be the best in Milan, to which the long queue outside the door is testament! We also love Chocolat’s array of light, savory food options, such as salads, soups, and open-faced sandwiches.

Teatro alla Scala

One of the premier opera houses in the world, La Scala is home to a handful of other fine arts, including classical orchestra and ballet. The space itself is gorgeous, with deep balcony boxes, but it’s the talented singers, musicians, and dancers that keep you coming back. The ballet school connected to La Scala is one of the most respected in the world. Children as young as three can enroll.

Prada

Since 1913, the Prada brand has been synonymous with some of the highest-quality leather goods in the world. Miuccia Prada took the helm of her grandfather’s company in the 1970s and has grown it into one of the largest luxury goods companies worldwide. We love Miuccia’s chic and contemporary take on refined dressing. Never trendy or fleeting, her ready-to-wear and accessories collections are closet staples that will become heirloom pieces. See the latest collections at Milan’s historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele location.

Giacomo Arengario

While the interiors at Giacomo Arengario pay tribute to art deco fashions (geometric patterns on darkly lacquered wood), the food pays tribute to classic, perfectly executed Milanese dishes. Considered a sequel of sorts to Giacomo Bistrot, Arengario is situated amid all the hustle and bustle—its windows overlooking the romance of the Piazza Duomo. Along with everything else on the menu, we recommend the tagliatelle coi funghi.