This morning whilst I was organising documents for an important client visit, my mind kept wandering forwards to tomorrow evening.
For the second time since I moved to Milan, my lovely Mum will be flying over to visit me for sunshine, wine and very, very good food.
But unlike last time she came (in August when everything was closed) the city will be alive with excitement. Today marks the first day of this year's Design Week or Fuori Salone.
Stamattina mentre organizzavo i documenti per una visita cliente importante, il mio cervello continuava di andare avanti verso domani sera.
Per la seconda volta da quando sono arrivata a Milano, la mia bella mamma arriverà per alcuni giorni di sole, vino e buonissimo cibo.
Però, a differenza dell'altra volta, (a agosto quando tutto era chiuso), la città sara vivace e eccitata. Oggi è il primo giorno di Fuori Salone.
I've been a couple of times before and I love it. Whilst the big names in interior design host their own private events and the main trade fair is packed out with businesses and freelancers alike, the rest of the city explodes in public festival.
Ci sono andata un paio di volte prima e mi piaceva tanto! Mentre i nomi famosi nell'arredamento ostano le loro feste private e la fiera è piena di aziende e freelancer, la città è un'esplosione di festività pubbliche.
Shops throw their doors open and beckon you in with free prosecco, showcasing their best and most beautiful pieces for you to covet endlessly.
I negozi spalancano le loro porte e chiamarti con un bicchiere di prosecco gratis, dimostrando i loro capolavori migliori e più belli perché tu possa sognargli per sempre in poi.
All this can't just be tackled at random so I've made a plan. Here is what I'm getting up to this week.
Non si può fare tutto questo a caso senza programmi quindo ho fatto un'itinerario. Ecco cosa faccio questa settimana.
On Thursday, we will wake up and take a gentle stroll through the Brera district. We will gaze at kitchens and bathrooms that are thousands of euros beyond our means, sigh happily (ish) and continue along in the sunshine.
Giovedì, ci alziamo e camminare lentamente a Brera. Guarderemo le cucine e i bagni che per noi sono troppo cari da mille di euro prima di continuare a goderci nel sole.
We will end up in one of my all time favourite restaurants, Il Refettorio, where we will lunch on homemade bread and fresh vegetables, unlimited wine and asparagus risotto with fresh fior di latte ice cream and coffee to finish.
Arriveremo a uno dei miei ristoranti preferiti, Il Refettorio, dove pranzeremo con pane fatto a casa, verdure fresche, vino illimitato, risotto agli asparagi, fior di latte gelato e caffè.
Next we will amble around the historical centre, gazing in wonder at the installations and exhibitions, perhaps dipping into one of the museums which are throwing their doors open to the public for free for the event. Then we'll weave on down to Università Statale for even more Fuori Salone fun.
Poi andremo al ambio nel centro storico, guardando le istallazioni e esibizioni, forse entrando in uno dei musei civici che sono gratis durante l'evento. Poi andremo lentamente verso Statale per più del Fuori Salone.
By that point it will be time for a well-earned drink and a sit down to soothe our legs. We might make our way to the terrace of the Boscolo hotel to drink in the views of the Duomo whilst we gulp cool Spritzes. Or we might head straight to Nottingham Forest at opening time, one of the best bars in the world, to take advantage of the aperitivo prices.
A questo punto, sarà l'ora per una bevanda e un po' di riposo. Forse andremo alla terrazza dell'albergo Boscolo per bere la vista del Duomo mentre inghiottiamo un Spritz al fresco. O invece potremmo andare direttamente a Nottingham Forest, uno dei migliori bar nel mondo, per prendere un'aperitivo.
By evening we will join Magro and follow him as he shows us the cool little events he's heard about on the grapevine and to some wonderful and fabulous restaurant tucked away or perhaps we'll just stay at home and cook delicious lemon, parmesan and ginger linguine.
Di sera, aggiungiamo Magro e seguiamolo ai piccoli eventi che ha trovato o a un ristorante favoloso e nascosto o forse, ci fermiamo a casa per cucinare linguine con limone, zenzero e parmigiano.
On Friday, we'll go for a walk around the park as the sun warms the earth before heading to the terrace at La Rinascente for a glass of champagne at breakfast (oh how the Milanese will roll their eyes at us!)
Venerdì, usciamo per una passeggiata in parco prima di andare verso la terrazza a La Rinascente per un bicchiere di champagne con colazione.
Next, we'll hop on the metro to be whizzed away to the Tortona district where huge warehouses are transformed into the most incredible exhibition spaces.
Poi, prendiamo la Metro a zona Tortona dove gli spazi giganteschi sono trasformati in esibizioni e piccole fiere incredibili.
At lunch, we'll be reclining in the gardens of Al Fresco where I'll treat mum to a luxurious meal but we'll have to save space because afterwards we're off to the most incredibly gelateria, Gelateria della Musica, which is conveniently nearby.
A pranzo, ci rilassiamo nei giardini di Al Fresco dove pagherò il pranzo di quattro portate per mia mamma ma dovremo risparmiare un po' di spazio per il gelato di Gelateria della Musica dopo!
Once we are sufficiently full of delicousness, we'll have the entire afternoon to choose what we wish to do. Perhaps we'll return to Tortona. Perhaps we'll head to Lambrate. Perhaps we'll head home to sleep it off.
Dopo siamo sufficientemente piene, avremo l'intero pomeriggio da usare a piacere. Forse torniamo a vedere più in zona Tortona. Forse andiamo verso Lambrate. Forse andiamo a casa per dormire.
Disclaimer: There is absolutely no way that this will be as deliciously luxurious as described. I will get too hot and sweat all over my clothes and Mum will get blisters the size of tennis balls. We will get lost and fail to find any of the best events and end up being saved by random locals. I will get eaten alive by mosquitoes and Mum will have the worst hayfever of her life. All of the restaurants will be packed and we'll end up eating McDonalds whilst sitting on the kerb. So on that note, ciao ciao, I'm off to do some booking!
Disconoscimento: C'è assolutamente niente possibilità che questa settimana andrà così bene. Io avrò troppo caldo e suderò tra tutti i miei vestiti e mia mamma avrà le vesciche dappertutto sui piedi. Ci perderemo e fallire di trovare tutti gli eventi e esibizioni. Le zanzare mi mangeranno e mamma soffrirà dalle allergie ai fiori di primavera. Tutti i ristoranti saranno pieni e finiamo con McDonalds mentre ci sediamo sul pavimento. E quindi io vado a prenotare - ciao!
Wow! What an amazing post. I have only visited Milan with work so didn't have a lot of time to be a tourist but this really makes me want to come back!! :) Great blog too xXx
ReplyDeletehttp://primeministeroffun.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/gelly-baby.html
Thanks so much :) it was great seeing the city through the eyes of a tourist again this weekend. The more I live here, the more I discover! You should definitely come back and explore! xxx
DeleteSounds incredible, and what a wonderful thing to share with your mum :)
ReplyDeleteJenna || Jennafifi.co.uk
It was so so amazing, I wish I could have the last 4 days all over again! I think I've convinced her to like Milan (her first visit was a tad disastrous!) xxx
DeleteIt sounds like your mum is going to have a fantastic time! what a amazing city to live in x
ReplyDeleteNew follower, cannot wait to read more posts.
http://shimmerglitzandglam.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks a lot :) we had a great time! I'll try and get the pictures up asap! xxx
Deletelucy your itinerary sounds absolutely amazing! i can't get over that outdoor space at Al Fresco, so magical. oh and the terrace at La Rinascente? unreal! looking forward to seeing photos of your adventure with your mum :)
ReplyDeleteWe didn't make it to either in the end! But I found another gorgeous restaurant garden and another terrace overlooking the Duomo haha! Lucky I did, it turned out to be mums favourite bit of the holiday xxx
Deletesounds awesome! love your blog so much<3
ReplyDeleteEmma xx
http://iemmafashion.com/
Thank you so much :) it was a dreamy few days after all! xxx
Deletethat gelato looks yum!! hope you enjoy it with your mom!
ReplyDeletewww.lettersimpromptu.blogspot.com
Thank you :) I had such a lovely time and lots of gelato was harmed in the making of this weekend.. xxx
DeleteGreat Post! So many nice places to visit!
ReplyDeletewww.coolallure.com
Thanks :) yeah there are, Milan really is a city full of surprises xxx
Deletebello!!!:)
ReplyDeleteAurora
http://aurorasparkscreations.blogspot.it
Grazie! :) xxx
Deletelovely pics x
ReplyDeletewww.vicariousLA.com
Thank you :) xxx
DeleteYou're right; the place is stunning, it'll be sad to say goodbye! Do you plan to live there full-time eventually?
ReplyDeleteSophie x
Http://your-girl-is-lovely.blogspot.co.uk
I hope so, I'd love to move here when I graduate but I'm just not sure about my career prospects! There are so many huge companies here but whilst in the UK we take someone on for their skills, here they always look for someone with that exact degree (so to do marketing, you have to have studied marketing - ridiculous!) I don't know how people chose to do useful things like economics and engineering and finance but the only jobs I've found for non-specialised Psychology grads are in nurseries :S! xxx
DeleteThis might be a tad late, but I know DesignJunction have events planned for Milan Design Week, definitely worth checking out! Ahh, looks like so much fun! Love the last picture aha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! I didn't see any of their events in the end but hopefully I'll catch it next year! Luckily we didn't end up like that last picture :) xxx
DeleteHahaha! Your final paragraph is so perfect - ain't that always the way? Hope you and your mum have a fabulous time whatever happens. :D xx
ReplyDelete:) thankfully blisters were kept at bay (compared to our last jaunt to Rome anyway) and our only complaint was tired legs! xxx
DeleteWow looks like a great time! The pictures are lovely :)
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Thanks, we had a brilliant time :) xxx
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