Archive for 'Milan'

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!

This year presented a major calendar of various events and exhibitions throughout Italy celebrating the life and work of Da Vinci on the event of his 500th anniversary since passing. With 2020 just on the horizon, so too comes another big anniversary in art history after this year of celebrating Da Vinci, the 500th anniversary of the death of Raphael, and, with it, another series of events and exhibitions throughout Italian museums and other fine art instituions around the globe.

Unlike Da Vinci, or Michelangelo, this great name of the Renaissance only lived into his late thirties, with his two great peers making it into their eighties. Today, his name is less lauded on the scale of those two great artists but he was no less beloved in his time and, though his life was shorter, he was incredibly productive, leaving behind an impressive oeuvre of fine art.

Italy is well-known around the world for her reputation as a fashionable place and a global fashion capital. As such, there are many who have dreamed of going shopping while holidaying in Italy. However, if you are a bargain hunter or want your money to stretch farther, then you need to plan your trip for a particular time of year: during the “saldi”. Unlike many other places in the world, Italy’s sales are far more carefully regulated by the state and do not happen willy-nilly all throughout the year. One of only two times per year that sales happen is during this period, the saldi of January. If you’ve always wanted to visit the official fashion capital of Italy, this is the best time. Find a vacation rental in Milan and get ready to shop until you drop!

When one thinks of art in Italy, it is the grand heritage of art that first comes to mind. One pictures the museums stuffed with works by the likes of Botticelli, Titian, and Caravaggio, the grand churches with art pieces and frescoes by the likes of Michelangelo and da Vinci, and elegant palaces and villas that bring together works by endless lists of talented artisans and artists under one roof. This long-standing history and wealth of cultural heritage is, of course, to be found in Italy, but it is not all there is to offer. It might be hard to imagine at first but Italy is also home to incredible works of art that are outside these lauded institutions, works of art that anyone can enjoy at any time of day and for free. That is to say, it is home to some rather special pieces of street art.

This street art is incredibly varied in size, age, style, and more. Some pieces are even centuries-old and other pieces are being added all the time. Some are by unknowns and some are by some of the most famous names in art history. If you are planning a trip to Italy and are interested in art, be sure to also spend time outside galleries, keeping your eyes peeled for street art surprises as you explore. If you are looking for some particular highlights to specifically set aside time to visit, then these are some of our top street art picks around Italy.