Ivan Kalinov

Milan

Spotter since 2014

About me

About me
I was born and raised in Bulgaria, in a small countryside town in the south. The place somehow always felt too small. For the first 20 years of my life I never really left the country and this was eating me up from the inside. My thrive for discovering the world was simply too strong, so in 2004 I decided to catch up and jump to the other extreme.

I have been moving places ever since. Since 2004, I’ve lived and studied / worked in The Hague & Amsterdam, Sofia, Beijing, Berlin, Prague, Paris, Nice and Monaco. And now Milan. I consider myself lucky to have chosen a job that gives me the chance to experience new places all the time.

I love travelling (like everyone else I think). But I love moving into a new culture more. Observing the smallest details of a culture is one of my hobbies, and it’s become my way of living. It’s like a drug – once you start, you can’t stop doing it all the time.

The things I can’t live without – my partner in crime, Kathi, who is an inevitable part of all I do; my good friends (I have learnt to appreciate them, as making good friends when on the move is not easy), my family and last but not least music (a goose-bumper song can change my day).

Why Milan?
Milan was not my first choice to move to after France and to be frank I didn’t expect much. I was wrong. The city has a vast mix of people and places – posh, alternative, snobbish and unconventional at the same time. It’s everything else but boring. Somehow it all clicks together in a strange way. It also has a very relaxed feel. I like to think it is a ‘small’ big city in which there is always something new to discover.

Where can you find me online?
Facebook
Google+

My spots (18)

Chinese Box

Prime people watching

"Chinese Box" is a great place in Milan for people watching and aperitivo. Spend a couple of hours with a drink in hand at the 'terrace' and you'll know...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Ivan

Kalinov

Feb 17, 2025

DOU

Dim Sum paradise

"DOU" was the first (Asian) restauarant I bumped into in Milan, and it remains one of my favorites in the city. What I like is the selection of cuisines...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Ivan

Kalinov

Feb 2, 2025

Living Liqueurs & Delights

Fashion and aperitivo

"Living Liqueurs & Delights": one of my favorite aperitivo spots in Milan and its first real vodka bar. It has a beautiful bar ambiance & a nice lounge...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Ivan

Kalinov

Feb 2, 2025

Terrazza 12 Bar

Back to the '50s

"Terrazza 12 Bar" is reminiscent of Tokyo, in that sometimes you have to look up to find the gems. So in Milan - it's on the top floor of Bryan & Barry...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Ivan

Kalinov

Feb 2, 2025

Via Solferino

Independent shopping

"Via Solferino" is a central Milan street, yet far away from the crowds. I go there to just look around the shop and I'm sure I can always find I...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Ivan

Kalinov

Feb 2, 2025

Wasabi Bar

Williamsburg in Milan

"Wasabi Bar" is one of the greatest bars in Milan. Why? Because it's great! It's actually tiny, but don't be misled: the drink selection & design are...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Ivan

Kalinov

Feb 2, 2025

Straf Bar

Unexpectedly cool

"Straf Bar" Milan is a peculiar place - even though it's next to Duomo, it's one of the coolest spots in town. Protip: grab one of the "benches" outside...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Ivan

Kalinov

Feb 2, 2025

Scalo Farini

Great aperitivo

"Scalo Farini" in Milan is a bar recommended to me by an Isola local as the best aperitivo in town. I can say that I haven't tried any better than this.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Ivan

Kalinov

Feb 2, 2025

Where to find me

Ivan is not the only one

Meet our other Spotters from Milan

Join us as a Spotter today!

Be part of a global community of 492 people who love their city!

Write about everything you 🤍 but skip touristic highlights

Show the hearth and soul of the place you call home

Filters
Spotters categories
Price
Price