Is there anyone, who has visited Italy and didn’t fall in love with the country and its La Dolce Vita ( that sweet life, that you want or not, you get to be part of, once finding yourself in Italy). I did love Italy, its language and culture, very long before I visited it and now I have been so many times and in so many cities. From Venice, Verona, Florence to Rome, Amalfi coast, Sorrento, Capri and Sicily, now it was turn to visit the Fashion and the Business capital of Italy-namely Milan.

Here I have to admit that traveling to Milan in March means you rather have the wet and still cold season, but with  enough warm clothes, rain boots and an umbrella,what left is to enjoy the city. And if and when you get wet or cold and wished to warm up, the choices of coffee and pastries shops, art museum or luxury stores are with no count.

The first day of the visit did not proof me wrong – it was raining literally the whole day, but it didn’t bother us ( I did took a good friend of mine sharing the same love and passion for the country). I remember that in the early afternoon, after being completely wet, I actually end up buying fancy rain boots, which I still wear if the weather home permit. One positive thing of visiting Milan in March, was, that the number of tourists was way lower then in May/June or September.

Visiting the Duomo for example happen with no troubles and with no waiting time. Anyway we decided to visit it certainly during one of the next days when there was no rain and it is absolutely worth it.

La Rinascente,where Obica Restaurant is located,  was recently nominated “The Best Department Store in the World” according the Global Department Store Summit 2016 and you will see why. We ended up getting small gifts for ourselves and our families back home and if the shoes and bags are coming a bit to expensive, you could always bring your favourite brands made from fine chocolate. As a chocoholic, I did that as well.

For the time being (an extended weekend consisting from 3 1/2 days) and since we both enjoy art, we couldn’t leave Milan without  visiting la Pinacoteca di Brera, maybe the best art museum, I, personally, have ever visited and housing some of the greatest mastepieces of Italian and Foreign Art.

It was my first visit in Northern Italy, so I wanted to see lake Como as well. Lucky for me, so did my friend.  We decided to spend the entire Sunday at the lake Como. The train ride took less then an hour to a town with the same name-Como.

The town of Como is located in the southern corner of the lake and like every other town in Italy, has very historical and lively squares and in additio,it alse has splendid lakeside villas. There was a lovely farmer market with products made in the region in the city center. I remember that the day we decided to visit was foggy, even misty but I did like it and can only imagine how beautiful and lively it is in the warmer months of the year. Recommended would be to take the funicular up to the town of Brunate to enjoy the panorama down to the lake. I will,the next time I have the gateway from Milan.

Milan is actually a great home base for all kind of gateways. It is the beating heart of Italy and meeting point of rich past and modern present. With its ” Fashion District”, lovely art galleries and museums, fascinated architecture,many many cafes,aperitivi bars and restaurants,busy night life, Milan attracts visitors,students and businessmen from around the world. One look to the people on the street and you know why it get to keep its place where one of the top 4 Fashion weeks is taking place, twice a year actually. It’s the city where I will proudly attend an Italian Language course next May and so much looking forward to it already…