OCCUPATION: TV host
MY STYLE: I love fashion and the idea of expressing who you are through the way you dress. I like hippie chic one day, masculine and preppy the next, feminine and elegant the third. And I’m always on the hunt for the perfect shoe!
I LOVE MILAN BECAUSE: It’s a city to be discovered: cafés to visit, parks to bike through, friendly and warm people who are curious and always up for a chat. There’s a marvelous old part of town to walk and get lost in. All the best art exhibits, concerts, and international shows usually pass through Milan, bringing an important cultural panorama to the city.
Les Gitanes Bistrot
A sweet, chic spot for a light meal or fun date, Les Gitanes Bistrot features striped walls, a cobblestone bar, and a delicious lunch menu. Though favorited by many locals, the bistro flies blissfully under the radar of most tourists.
4 Cento
The menu of this rustic Italian eatery is filled with buffalo mozzarella salads, gnocchis, and rich raviolis. 4 Cento will also surprise diners, however, with unexpected options on the wine list, and a kids’ corner filled with arts and crafts. During the summer months, 4 Cento (also known as Restaurant 400) opens its large patio to host live music, art shows, and other events.
Fondazione Forma per la Fotografia
Milan’s leading photography museum features rotating exhibits of both well-known photographers and up-and-comers. Offering three permanent features (History of Photography, Masters of Photography, and Masters of Fashion Photography and Portraiture), the Fondazione Forma is a fun museum trip for the whole family.
Cavalli e Nastri
This vintage boutique stocks an incredible range of pieces, from 1970s Emilio Pucci shirts to Art Deco housewares to floor-length silk pieces from the late 1800s. It might take a little patience to find the piece you’re wanting, but with ever-changing stock, you can return again and again for a fresh search.
Duomo di Milano
Also known as the Milan Cathedral, the Duomo is one of the most magnificent specimens of Gothic architecture the world over. Whereas the view from the front steps provides some of the best people-watching in the city, the roof is accessible to the public, and provides a spectacular view of the nearby Alps.
Diana Majestic
The palatial and stately exterior of this Porta Venezia hotel is the perfect foil for an interior that is soft, modern, and tasteful. Rooms are simple, with a mix of antique and contemporary furnishings. The Diana Bar, surrounded by a circular wall of windows and known for its inventive aperitivi, is great for a bright, early breakfast or a romantic nightcap.
Pasticceria San Gregorio
Pasticceria San Gregorio serves beautifully decorated Italian pastries, fruit pies, decadent chocolate cakes, and fluffy breakfast breads that kids love. The hot chocolate is good too, but if you’d rather sip something a bit more grown-up, San Gregorio has a full bar.
Hobby Garden Dei Navigli
This gigantic craft and garden center is a sight to see. As a plant nursery-gardening shop hybrid, Hobby Garden Dei Navigli has everything you could ever need for your conservatory. The flowers are frehs, the materials are affordable, and you’ll want to spend a whole afternoon exploring the differently themed rooms.
Osteria Al Molo 13
Having served up fresh Sardinian fare for more than 30 years, family-owned Osteria Al Molo 13 is the Milanese master of flavorful, Mediterranean-style seafood. The fish carpaccio and king prawns with Vernaccia wine sauce, among other specialty dishes, are served in a bright, family-friendly dining room for which reservations are highly recommended.