Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

This English-language bookshop is located near the Castle, in piazza Cairoli. It’s very popular among expats and Italians, like me, who want to read English books. This friendly shop is great for modern fiction and children’s books. If you ask they suggest you a good one, just tell them what do you prefer. They have also Art books and history publications as well. There are shelves dedicated to poetry and classics.

It’s not easy for a specialized little bookshop to survive in the market but they succeeded with a high quality service. The interiors are so charming! You feel like in a traditional English bookshop. The windows always change depending on the season: during festivities are full of Christmas related publications, calendars and greetings cards, during spring or summer there is a good selection of book to read while on vacation.

I have some English friends, so I like going there to buy some gifts.

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American Bookstore | Art & culture, Shopping | Book € 10.00
via Camperio 16 | Centro | +3902878920
Mon 13:30 – 19:00, Tue – Sat 10:30 – 19:00

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Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

Libreria Azalai is a unique bookshop. It opened in Ticinese area in 1994 in via San Gottardo. Then, 5 years ago it moved to the peaceful via Gian Giacomo Mora, just behind the busy corso di Porta Ticinese. The street is lovely, with a couple of good restaurants. For those who wants to read some good Italian travel writers here you can find the best ones together with a wonderful selection of international authors.

I have known this bookshop since I moved to Milan. As a traveller I tried to find a bookshop related to my passion but Azalai is also specialized in different topics about Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific area. They have authors that you can’t find in big bookstores. They also promote independent publishers, and host events and art exhibitions.

Believe me, even if you don’t speak or read Italian, this place is really worth a visit. Moreover, in a corner they have crafts designed in developing countries and produced by no-profit organizations to support local communities. In their new website you can also order the books you are looking for, buy them online or go there to take them.

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Libreria Azalai | Art & culture, Shopping | Book € 10.00
via Giacomo Mora 5 | Ticinese/Genova | +390258101310
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 13:00 & 15:00 – 19:30

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Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

Ratanà is located in a former train station building in the Isola area, near Porta Garibaldi Station. It’s difficult to spot because is surrounded by scaffoldings. In this area between viale Melchiorre Gioia and corso Como they are building brand new skyscrapers for the Expo 2015, here there will be a stylish residential area and the new Fashion City.

I discovered Ratanà during an art event. Even if it’s not far from where I live, I never noticed it. The old building has been completely renovated to host Ratanà restaurant and Fondazione Riccardo Catella, located at the second floor, an organization who supports young talents and cultural projects. They host several exhibitions and events. The building is surrounded by a nice garden with a playground for kids. This coming summer they are planning to have a calendar of events just for them.

Ratanà serves Milan classics like risotto and cotoletta alla milanese. I like the onion soup, the polenta and the dessert sbrisolona. For lunch they have a special menu for 18.00 euro (drinks and coffee included).

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Ratanà | Art & culture, Restaurants (Milan) | Lunch menu € 18.00
via De Castillia 28 | Centrale/Greco | +390287128855
Oct – May Tue – Fri & Sun 12:00 – 00:00, Sat 18:00 – 00:00 |Jun – Sep Mon – Fri 12:00 – 00:00, Sat 18:00 – 00:00

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Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

Milan is famous for its Navigli. When you mention these artificial canals, mostly built between 12th and 16th century, you immediately think about nightlife, because all along Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese you can find bars, pubs, restaurants and trattorie.

When I moved to Milan five years ago I discovered that for those who live here, Navigli also means riding a bicycle on a sunny weekend, and taking a relaxing walk out with kids and family. Naviglio Grande or Pavese are too far from my home and too busy so I chose another one: Naviglio della Martesana

Naviglio della Martesana is one of the most peaceful canals in Milan. They say that it was partly designed by Leonardo da Vinci. When I go walking along this Naviglio in the city I really feel relaxed. The best thing to do is to take the underground, get off at the stop “Turro”, and head to the canal.

I regularly go to an amazing Greek restaurant, Myknos, just on the riversides, where I can experience a real taberna atmosphere. Close to the riversides there are also tiny veg gardens, a country touch in the center of Milan, while on the water I like spotting birds and enjoying the silence, so close to the busy viale Monza!

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Naviglio Martesana | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Via Tofane 1 | Centrale/Greco
24 hours daily

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Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

Castello Sforzesco is one of the most famous spots in Milan. Everybody knows it, just like everybody knows the Duomo. But not everyone is aware of the Castello’s hidden secrets: its underground galleries.

After almost two years of works, I had the chance to visit the Strada Coperta della Ghirlanda, or Galleria della Ghirlanda, recovered and opened to the public.

Strada Coperta della Ghirlanda is an amazing gallery shaped as a horseshoe, half a kilometer long, built by Francesco Sforza in 1454. Originally it was part of the Castle underground defense system.

In the XVI century it was used by the soldiers to reach other military outposts. In the Middle Ages it was linked to the city wall and was connected to the outside buildings and to the country streets out of the city. On Saturdays there are guided tours to visit the Strada della Ghirlanda and other tunnels.

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Il Castello | Art & culture | Tour € 10
Piazza Castello 1 | Centrale/Greco
Sat 14:30 & 16:00 for guided tours

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Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

The Civico Planetario Ulrico Hoepli is hosted in a neoclassical building inside the beautiful Giardini Indro Montanelli in Porta Venezia. They say it is the biggest in Italy. When I went there for the first time, there was an event dedicated to the “Summer Sky” and I had the chance to see a variety of films shown on the projector about the earth and the solar system and the exploration of the stars during summer and galaxies of our universe. During the show I sat on a Tonnet chair, most of which have been designed in the Thirties.

They also have a calendar of events for kids and families and during winter they host concerts as well. I was there on Sunday, but for such events it’s opened on Saturdays too. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings they have conferences with national and international experts. It’s not possible to book, I queued half an hour, because it’s more busy on Sundays. I subscribed to their newsletter online to receive updates and news.

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Planetario | Art & culture | Admission € 3.00
corso Venezia 57 | Centro | +390288463340
Varies check website

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Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

Porta Venezia is a splendid area in Milan, famous for the original art nouveau style in some houses and buildings. Villa Invernizzi is a quiet and not so crowded place, a pleasant refuge where I like to go in the middle of a busy area. Situated in the quiet via Cappuccini, this villa is famous for its garden where you can spot pink flamingos. The villa is not open to the public. So you can only catch a glimpse of the flamingos from the entrance gate. But it is definitely worth the visit.

Villa Invernizzi is a beautiful building and its essential secret garden with flamingos is a symbol of the art nouveau concept, which aims at surprising guests. The villa is just an example of the splendid liberty buildings you can find in Milan.

In the same area I love to walk around and see from outside, Palazzo Castiglioni in Corso Venezia, which was designed by Giuseppe Sommaruga; the casa Felisari (1910) at the corner of via Settembrini 11 and via Boscovich 28, 30, 32 and then three Berri-Meregalli houses, all designed by Giulio Ulisse Arata, in via Mozart 21, via Barozzi 7 and via Cappuccini 8. This last one is a real masterpiece. You can’t miss it.

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Liberty Houses in Porta Venezia | Art & culture, Relaxing
Via Cappuccini 20 | Centrale/Greco
24 hours daily

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Image by chiara anselmo

Cantine Isola is a little gem in the hearth of Chinatown.

It is one of the few authentic wine bars in Milan. Cantina Islo is always very crowded (there is only one little table but I’ve never spotted it free) Everybody here stand in front of the counter, drinking excellent wine and eating (for free) very tasty snacks (olives, cheese, anchovies, sun dried tomatoes..)

In summer there is a nice patio in front of the bar in the pedestrian street. Ask the bartenders to advice you the best red/white wine of the day.

Since it is situated in the middle of Chinatown, if you come here to have “aperitivo” before you can have a nice walk across Via Paolo Sarpi (full of Chinese little shops).

If, after one, two or more glasses or wine and a few olives, your belly will ask for real food I would advice to go to the one of the best Chinese restaurant in Milan: Jubin, just 3 minutes walk away on the same street.

On Wednesday nights they do poetry reading: the owner will jump on a chair and will declare a poem and at the end he will ask for the author.

Wine + poetry: who’s asking for more?

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Cantine Isola | Art & culture, Bars, Relaxing | Glass of wine from € 5
Via Paolo Sarpi, 30 | Centro | +39023315249
Tue – Sun 08:30 – 21:30

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Image by Chiara Anselmo

Just hidden inside a courtyard, at the end of Via Paolo Sarpi, you will find this magic little shop. A big arrow is the sign and invites you inside.

I discovered this beautiful little shop trough a friend: she were wearing a very original ring and I asked her where did she bought it. Like me, most of the people discover the place trough word-of-mouth- invitation and this adds to the place an even more dreamy and unique atmosphere.

Most of the creations (jewels, rings, bag, scarfs) are unique. Since the collection are really personal and each one has a theme (I invite you to discover some of the bijoux realized on the website photoalbum) you will soon discover that each piece is more then a simple ring or necklace but it is more a piece of art.

I often come here to buy special gift for friends: the owner will be very happy to realize “ad hoc” for you a special and unique necklace, ring or whatever you like.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Oplà | Art & culture, Shopping | Necklace from € 25
Via Paolo Sarpi, 56 (inside courtyard) | Brera/Porta Nuova | +390249661783
Tue – Sat: 10:30 – 14:00 & 16:00 – 19:30

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Image by Chiara Anselmo

The amazing Chiara Anselmo “museum house” is only five minutes away from Montenapoleone street. If you are in Porta Venezia, or San Babila area for shopping I strongly recommend you to have a stop in this peacefully place.

The house is a superb example of rationalism architecture (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalism_(architecture)) It was built in 1930 and it is at the moment a museum. It is very well preserved (even the swimming pool and tennis court) and there is a nice café in the garden where you can have a snack or light lunch.

The garden is fantastic and to visit the interior you can join a guided tour or ask for audio guide.

I came here the first time to visit a Japanese exhibition that took part in a area of the house and I try to come back every now and then, in different part of the year to admire the beautiful garden in different seasons. I think it is amazing to find such a relaxing atmosphere in the city center of Milan.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Villa Necchi Campiglio | Art & culture | Adults admission € 8
Via Mozart, 14 | Centro | +390276340121
Wed – Sun 10:00 – 18:00 (last entrance 17:30), Tue only groups

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