Arty Milano

I know the Italian masters of Renascence are usually related to the city of Florence but, since Leonardo Da Vinci, the greatest multi-talented genius of his time (probably of all times), lived almost two decades in Milan, the city has a great and very rich part of his work, as well as, many master pieces inspired by him.

Da Vinci went from Florence to work for the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, in 1482. He lived and left his marks on a still existing and very popular Milanese attraction: Catello Sforzesco (http://www.milanocastello.it/intro.html ). It ended out to be a very rich and productive period of his life.

His most famous master piece, along with La Gioconda or Mona Lisa, is Ultima Cena (The Last Supper) which was painted directly on a wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie, a monastery located just a few block south from the castle. Tickets for visits can, and should, be bought on-line (http://www.milan-museum.com/ ). It is very important to book way in advance in order to get in!

Leonardo often used models for his paintings. My art history professor told me once a curious legend that says that Leonardo, working on The Last Supper, painted Jesus first and then all the apostles, leaving Judas as the last one. The funny part is, he chose a model on a party at the castle; he looked for the most gorgeous man on the room and asked him if he would be his model for Christ; the man accepted. Years later, after travelling around Italy, he were to finish the alfresco and, therefore, looked on the streets for the worst looking man to model for Judas. He found a homeless man on a sidewalk of Milan and offered him some money for the job. Once painting Judas, the model asked Leonardo if he didn’t remember him. It was the same man who had been a model for J.C. years before, that for some of those tricks played by life had lost all he had. So, any similarity between the two characters on the alfresco might be more then just a coincidence. Take a close look!

Milan also has a museum named after the master of Renascence: Museo Nazionale Leonardo Da Vinci (http://www.museoscienza.org/english/museum/ ). It’s a science and technology museum with many studies, prototypes and models built by Da Vinci as an engineer (even though he didn’t have a degree he was very good at it).

Another perfect spot for art lovers is Pinacoteca Brera (http://www.brera.beniculturali.it/ ). This gallery’s collection includes huge names such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Botticelli and many more. This year the Pinacoteca is completing two centuries since it first opened its doors for public visits. After seeing it all take a stroll on the Brera District. A very unique neighborhood that once was house to many artists and intellectuals. It holds cute antique stores and still has a bohemian vibe.

Heading north one will end up on Corso Como, a lovely pedestrian street where is established 10 Corso Como (http://www.10corsocomo.com/ ), a café/store/ hotel/ gallery cool venue, actually, one of the most fashionable places in Milan. The place houses: 3 Rooms Corso Como, a great hotel with only 3 rooms, being one of a kind and designed by different famous architects (there is also a 3 Rooms hotel in Le Marais, Paris, with rooms designed by Azzedine Alaïa); 10 Corso Como store, a multi-brand, fabulous boutique with all the best and hippest labels of the world; a modern bookshop and art gallery; and, 10 Corso Como Café (and Garden Café) which is my favorite Sunday brunch hangout in town. When weather is mild, a table on its garden is the perfect entertainment. Great for people-watching!

For a crises consistent shopping, 10 Corso Como runs its Outlet just 5 minutes away on Via Tiazzoni. Enjoy!

Boa Viagem!

Milano: Quadrilatero d'Oro

Italy is one of my favorite countries. No wonder Luv and I chose it for our honeymoon. Actually Mom and Dad took a big vacation in Italy a little before Luv proposed to me, and they kept on saying: “That’s where you should spend your honeymoon”. So we embraced the idea. We had both visited Italy before knowing each other but this amazing country gained a whole different meaning in our lives after our honeymoon. One of Luv’s grandmothers was Italian and, according to him, she was a wonderful person and an especially good cook, so the food has a special childhood-memories taste to him. As for me, I just love it because it tastes perfectly great.

There are so many great Italian cities to write about, their architectures, their food and their culture are quite different from one another but they’re equally good as well as their people.

I’ll just start with Milan. I know many people who aren’t crazy about Milan, just can’t figure out why, I love the place. I always get so exited when I get to the Quadrlatero della Moda or Quadrilatero d'Oro (or even Disney World of fashion) for the first time in a trip. I love its restaurants, its people and the city’s vibe. One will find almost every worth-knowing store in the block formed by Via della Spiga, Via Monte Napoleone, Via Sant’Andrea and Via Alessandro Manzoni and a few others in its surroundings. Giorgio Armani, for example, has his flagship store (he now opened one on 5th Ave and 56th St as well) and headquarters in a whole block on a corner of Via Manzoni (http://www.armani-viamanzoni31.it/ ). On that megastore one can find all of Armani’s brands, including Chocolate (Armani/Dolci) and Home (Armani/Casa), Armani Café, which is a great place to give shopping a break, have a quick lunch, snack or simply coffee or a cocktail. The building also houses a great club, Armani Privé and a branch of the world known, hip Japanese restaurant, Nobu (http://www.armaninobu.it/armani_nobu_index.html ), where Luv and I ran in to Falvio Briatore last time we went there. As if that wasn’t enough this year a beautiful Armani Hotel (http://www.armanihotels.com/en/index.html ) will be also sharing the famous corner.
Just like Armani, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (http://www.dolcegabbana.com/ ) have their share of the Quadrilatero. There they have three stores: women’s, accessories and men’s. The first two located n Via della Spiga and the Third on Corso Venezia, where is also house the D&G Martini Bar, great place for a cocktail and a quick snack. The two also own a cool restaurant: Gold (http://www.dolcegabbanagold.com/ ). As the name says the venue is all golden. Beautiful place for dinner and it has nice bar.

Another great place for lunch, with perfect Milanese food, in this high-density-good-shopping-per-sqm area is Paper Moon (http://www.papermoonmilano.com/milano.htm ). It’s a must go! The pappardelle and the pizzas are magnificent and they have great desserts too. It’s a fine place for dinner as well.

If you’re looking for “Bed & Breakfast” near by I love The Four Seasons Milano (http://www.fourseasons.com/milan/ ) for the “Bed” part. It is literally on the center of the Quadirlatero on Via Gésu. As for the “Breakfast” part, Luv and I, rarely have breakfast, especially at the hotel, we find a stop for coffee in some cute spot much more fun. For that, I would recommend Cova (http://www.pasticceriacova.com/ ) at Montenapoleone, probably Milan’s oldest patisserie, founded on 1817 by one of Napoleon’s soldiers. It used to be at Piazza della Scalla and in the 50s it moved to Via Montenapolone.

If you’re still tiered from all your shopping take an after-lunch stroll on the close by Giardini Pubblici (just follow Via Manzoni, cross Piazza Cavour and you’ll be there) and its cutes museums, recharge your batteries and get back to work!

Boa Viagem!