Archive for 'Milan'

Thinking about planning a vacation in Italy in November but unsure of where to go? Well, we’ve put together a helpful guide of the best holiday destinations across the country if you are looking to book a villa in Italy during November.

While November is not the first time of the year that comes to mind for many when it comes to planning a holiday in Italy, it might just happen to be the only time that you can travel or you may be looking to avail of the smaller tourist crowds and lower prices. The summer rush is well over and Christmas cheer will be starting to sprinkle into the bigger towns and cities but you won’t have the festive crowds quite yet either. Plus, while rain is common throughout most of the country in this month and the weather is becoming decidedly wintery, usually you can rely on great conditions for both hiking and exploring cities. City breaks or holidays full of outdoor excursions are ideal at this time of the year.

One most likely thinks of fashion first when they hear the word, “Milan,” but the city’s cultural riches go deeper and much further into the past than when it became a fashion capital. Before Milan was known for her wealth of incredible design, she was already a great hub of creativity, where wealthy patrons supported talents that have stood the test of time. Da Vinci, for example, spent 18 years of his life at the court of Milan, producing art and working as a military engineer for Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan.

He is not the only great master whose work can be enjoyed in Milan, however. The city’s great public art museum, the Brera Picture Gallery, or the Pinacoteca di Brera, boasts a truly extraordinary collection spanning six centuries of European art with artists like Rubens, Titian, Correggio, and Anthony Van Dyck all represented. For those who love art and find a vacation rental in Milan or a villa en Lombardía and plan to delve into the cultural riches of the city, this grand space with its impossible array of masterpieces is an unmissable attraction. Set aside several hours and come get lost in this incredible museum...

Our range of villas in Italy, all throughout the country, are wonderful. They afford space and privacy, usually have either their own private pool or access to a pool, and they usually have outdoor spaces to dine al fresco and enjoy throughout your vacation. However, most villas in Italy are located far out in the suburbs of cities, or on the edges of small towns, or right out in the countryside. This is perfect for those who want space and tranquillity or those who are travelling with kids who are after peace and greater security but for those who really want to be in the thick of it, those who want to enjoy all that a place has to offer, and those who aren’t planning on renting a car, an apartment in Italy might be a better option! With our apartments in Italy, you can find a place right in the historic centre of some of the country’s most bustling, exciting, culture-dense, beautiful, and desirable cities and towns and resorts. 

We have previously discussed various spots to shop if you have found a vacation rental in Milan. As the fashion capital of a nation famous for being chic, Milan obviously has no shortage of cool places to get a bit of a sartorial fix while exploring the city. From vintage boutiques, to trendy concept stores, to streets of high street favourites, to bustling local markets, to stunning flagship stores of some of the most beloved designer labels in the world, there are all sorts of incredible places to shop in Milan. However, if you love colour and have a particularly playful sense of style, then one perfectly curated little gem of a boutique that you should definitely make time to see while on vacation in Milan has to be Wait and See.

Wait and See is a clothing boutique that is located on a pretty little street right in the heart of the historic core of Milan, on Via Santa Marta. Housed in an 18th century building that was a convent in a former life, this vibrant and exciting store was opened back in 2010 by the discerning Uberta Zambeletti who curates a treasure trove of gorgeous objects from all over the world. From new to handmade to vintage pieces of clothing, accessories, jewellery, stationery, homewares, small gifts, and more, sourced from everywhere from the UK to California, Zambeletti’s store is bursting with colour and surprises and unexpected gems at every turn. The shop itself is also utterly full of colour and character and interesting decor and is a wonderful space in which to browse for something really special, making the whole experience of coming here memorable and enjoyable.

Though Milan is famous as a fashion capital of the world, those who have found a luxury villa in Lombardy or a vacation rental in Milan itself, and who are looking to bring a little bit of Italian style home with them, might not know exactly where to head for the best shopping experiences in the city. We have previously put together a guide to some of the city’s most beloved and best vintage boutiques and stores but for those in the market for an upmarket purchase to remember their trip by, an investment piece to indulge in on a special occasion, a little taste of the designer lifestyle, or simply some excellent window-shopping and people-watching, then a visit to the main shopping street of Milan, Via Monte Napoleone, is a must. The third most expensive street in Europe and home to stores for Gucci, Moncler, Roger Vivier, Bulgari, Versace, Armani, Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Prada, Saint Laurent, Rolex, Cartier, Dior, Burberry, Tod’s, Fendi, and many more luxury brands, it is an upscale shopping street that will make fashion-lovers googly-eyed with excitement. So, whether you have the budget to directly shop in this neighbourhood yourself or you simply want to see how the fashionable set of Milan live and dress with your own eyes, be sure to take a wee stroll in this gilded part of the city...