doingitaly

thea by #doingitaly

Doingitaly Blogtour holds the determination and positivity of its creator: Thea Duncan. Doingitaly takes me back for a 2-day tour to exploring the most unique spots in the most efficient Italian city: Milan.

The meeting point is the Eco Hotel, where we overnight. An Hotel chain focusing on comfort and sustainability where you can experience the authentic Italian hospitality. The staying, even though for a night, was a real pleasure. It is literally right outside the Stazione Centrale in Milan, easy to find and extremely comfortable and relaxing.

We head to an old barber shop Antica Barbieria Colla established in 1904, an old fashion shop that offers men a place to treat themselves to a little pampering. Right in the shop you feel like you are back in the times, I cannot really explain why, but if I was a man, I would have stopped to have my beard done.

Around 1pm when we sneak up the stairs to enjoy the milanese Highline Galleria, walking like a cat on the city’s roofs with a stunning view over the Duomo. Right on top of the high line you can have breakfast, picnic lunch or even watching a movie when the daylight goes away. I really recommend the picnic lunch: delicious and served in a lovely basket, then the sight you can enjoy is terrific.

For a real Italian experience you need a good coffee after a meal, so in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele we head to Pasticceria Marchesi since 1824, one of the oldest pastry shop in town. Here tradition and creativity melt just like their pastries in your mouth. Believe me, don’t miss this place.

Now we are all ready to face the afternoon and to be amazed by the House Museum Boschi-Di Stefano. Free admission to admire contemporary work of arts by Sironi, Fontana, Morandi, De Chirico and I bump into a statue by Arturo Martini, a piece of Treviso right in Milan. Music events are held from time to time in the house museum in order to recreate the atmosphere lived in the house by the couple.

After listening to some good music we have to live the house museum. Browsing around Milan we bump into Villa Invernizzi, where a bunch flamingos are there screaming and fighting just like in the Venetian lagoon. Milan city centre is not really the place I would have expected to see them.

Now it’s time to meet Veronica. A lovely beautiful lady which makes us feel like home, an amazing home actually. Veronica entertains us describing her passion for art which started basically when she was 4. Now she draws and creates jewellery inspired by animals and every single piece is unique. You can get in touch with her by Instagram: @veronica_lenza_linneo

We are almost smelling the dinner in the air and we are on our way to Jarit. The name says it all, you eat in a glass jar. And I promise you, the food is delicious. Food is cooked at low temperature and you just need to warm it and it’s done. Also you can get it to take away, perfect solution for those who do not have time to invest in cooking such as myself!
Well, we paired the food with Prosecco by Perlage Winery, vegan & organic wine. My favorite.

The second Doingitaly day starts with a sweet awakening: coffee aroma, pastries, bread… breakfast at Echo Hotel is delicious. But what caught my eye at first is the offer of seeds, nuts, dry fruits to add to the yoghurt and also the selection of croissants with or without filling is something not to forget. Once recharged our “battery” we are ready to explore some other hidden spots in Milan.
At Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, Giacomo our daily guide takes us to admire the so called “Cappella Sistina” in Milan. It was founded on ancient roman edificies and its construction dates back to 16th century. The beauty of this church takes my breath away.

After the Monastero I discovered that in Milan there was a Roman settlement and still some ruins are visible. Did you know that? I didn’t! We broswe among elegant palazzi in Magenta area, take a look at the window of the very first seat of Pasticceria Marchesi 1824. We bump into a FIAT 5000 car parade. I suppose this was planned by Thea Duncan too 🙂
I love to find stories like these about places I visit, because they become more unique and real, adding a touch of magic.

It’s almost lunch time so we head to Castello Sforzesco, not as bad location at all. We take advantage of this break to cool down while having light and tasty food at Calicantus. Last stop in our line up of our incredible trip around Milan is the Museo Bagatti Valsecchi and we are involved in a scavenger hunt. Split in team of 2 people, we have to shot and post in our social media as much details as possible. Not saying that I was not part of the group who won.

To me the entire experience was awesome, I will definitely advise to get to know the city of Milan with doingitaly, becasue you’ll be led to places you would otherwise miss or you learn stories you would never listent to. After these 2 day tour I have the feeling I had the chance to see an authentic Milan and I am plannig to come back soon. If you are planning a visit to Milan, just get in touch with Thea, she is the one that can turn your trip into a unique experience.