OCCUPATION: Online special projects coordinator for fashion and design
MY STYLE: I like simplicity and elegance, soft shades, and pure lines with a French touch, like Dries Van Noten, Albino and Jil Sander.
I LOVE MILAN BECAUSE: It’s easy to move around and reach the center. There are a few small parks and a lot of beautiful destinations outside the city for a weekend escape.
Bar Bianco
Tucked neatly into the lush gardens of Parco Sempione, Bar Bianco reveals simple and clean Italian cuisine with a modern twist. The upper balconies are perfect for enjoying cocktails and menu items like melon and ham or cheeseburgers with fries. In the evenings, the bar turns into a popular night club. Try for a spot on the guest list, or come early to ensure getting in.
Castell’Arquato
With exceptionally preserved architecture from the 10th century, Castell’Arquato’s perch on a series of Italian hills offers long walks with unobstructed views of the valley. Within the town rests a small restaurant with the same name, serving up a wide array of classic regional dishes. Don’t miss the restaurant during Carnival, when it features a special order of fragrant and traditional Italian pancakes.
Castello di Gropparello
This early medieval fortress and castle sits on a beautiful piece of property overlooking the Vezzeno gorges. Tours of the castle and grounds are available, but the stuff kids really go for is in the Fairy-Tale Park. Under the tutelage of a guide, medieval scenes come to life in village and woodsy setting. Book in advance if you plan on visiting the park on a Saturday or major holiday.
Jannelli & Volpi
Each of Jannelli & Volpi’s wallpaper patterns is updated and modern, whether it’s a graphic print or a more traditional floral or toile. Adding the paper to a room, or even just one wall, adds an unexpected, exciting pop of pattern. We especially love the Marie Claire collection’s vintage-inspired look, with sunbursts and line-drawn shapes.
Città del Sole
With locations throughout Italy, this toy store draws parents and children with its imaginative environment and unique products. From old-fashioned wooden horses to high-tech gadgets, “you can always find really beautiful, interesting things,” says Elisabetta Ferracini. Città del Sole recognizes that toys play an important role in a child’s development, so it’s the perfect place for products that mix fun and learning. Games can be found in Italian or English.
Ronchi
Ronchi’s superior gelato is the result of a focus on the highest quality ingredients and an attention to traditional artisanal preparation, and the gelateria’s décor is a major departure from the usual mom-and-pop corner place. Intentionally playing with a mixture of both contemporary sophistication and welcoming warmth, the post-industrial interior is in stark contrast to the artisanal culinary roots of the product. But once you get your hands on a scoop of chocolate, pistachio, or any other of Ronchi’s delicious flavors, the motif will be the last thing on your mind.