Archive for 'Milan'

This week we are rounding up some of the best destinations for a city break in Italy. If you are looking for an urban vacation in Italy in which you can wine, dine, take in famous attractions, absorb the rich history and culture of the country, and surround yourself with picturesque and incredible surroundings then these are the perfect destinations to do all that and more. After discussing the unique appeals of Rome and Florence in the last post, here are more of our picks of the best of the best city break destinations in Italy...

We have written about a lot of different cocktails that come from Italy in the past but, somehow, we have always managed to miss out on, and overlook, the Mi-To. A variant on the more famous Italian classics such as the Americano and the Negroni, it is actually their forefather and, therefore, is the true classic among them all. So, if you have an interest in cocktails, foodie history, and Italian culinary adventures, then this more obscure example is one to seek out should you find a vacation rental in Milan and find yourself spending some time in the city in which it was born or should you be thinking of planning a trip to the area some time in the future and in need of an excellent cocktail pairing to go with your search as you browse our vacation rentals in Lombardy and vacation rentals in Italy.

The Mi-To is the more commonly used name for, and abbreviation of, the Milano-Torino cocktail, a drink that was invented around 1860 in Gaspare Campari’s famous café-bar in Milan by the proprietor himself. Named for the two birthplaces of its key main ingredients – Campari from Milan and Vermouth di Torino from Turin – this truly legendary drink came from a similarly legendary bar and creator. In fact, in addition to being an incredible and game-changing barman and cocktail-inventor, it was actually Gaspare Campari himself who had created the bitters-style aperitif (featuring a closely guarded secret recipe that boasts 60 natural ingredients including herbs, spices, barks, and fruit peels) that would eventually become the famous Italian liqueur that is now named for its creator and is known as Campari and which is such an integral part of the Mi-To recipe.

Italy is home to lots of beautiful towns and incredible villas and palaces and it follows, therefore, that it is also home to plenty of truly stunning parks and gardens. These wonderful spaces are perfect for some peace, solitude, relaxation, and restoration among lush green surroundings and natural beauty, just the thing you often need on holidays if you are prone to darting around to see and do everything while you can. If you're looking for a moment to pause, take stock, and take a breath of fresh air, these little slices of greenery are ideal spaces in which to do so. There are endless examples located all over Italy but we thought we would pick just five of our favourites and offer you up a list of some of the most beautiful gardens and parks in Italy and photos of them as a feast for your senses...

What comes to mind when you think of Italy? Is it the famous culinary heritage that has become so beloved that it is now also a mainstay of many other cultures and countries around the globe? Is the genius artists that filled incredible churches, palaces, town squares, public buildings, and museums all over the country with masterpieces? Is it the beautiful and diverse landscape of the country that varies from perfect white sandy beaches lapped by azure seas to the famously pastoral and lovely rolling green hills of Tuscany to the pretty seaside towns perched on craggy cliffs to the impressive snow-capped peaks of the Alps, and much more besides? Is it the relaxed and easy-going lifestyle of much of the country that is envied all over the world? Or, perhaps, is it the famously stylish citizens and beloved fashion houses and designers?

For many, it is the latter. The stylish eateries and bars, picture-perfect towns, fashionable people-watching, and excellent shopping (and window-shopping because lots of those famous brands are outside of the reach of most of our budgets) are all factors that draw the fashion set to Italy, looking for a chic getaway. If you're one of those people, interested in Italian style and learning more about it, we have put together a guide, an A-Z of fashion in Italy:

Milan, the beautiful fashion capital of Italy and regional capital of Lombardy, is a chic, metropolitan gem that is a must for anyone who likes excellent museums, impossibly cool boutiques, headquarters for famous fashion brands, stylish residents perfect for people watching, elegant and trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants to hang out in, a vibrant nightlife, and much more besides. It is the epitome of a chic urban destination and if you find a vacation rental in Milan itself or visit on day trips from a holiday rental in Lombardy, you will quickly be able to see for yourself exactly why it continues to hold its title as one of the most fashionable cities in the world. However, as you dart around to see and do all that Milan has to offer, you may need a bit of an oasis of calm to retreat to for a while and catch your breath before carrying on. If so, Sempione Park is a perfect choice: a vast and beautiful park in the centre of the city!