Today I am grateful for the magical two weeks we have spent in Italy.
We started our holiday in Milan. David and I have travelled to Milan quite a few times over the last few years but we have never immersed ourselves in the city and so have never appreciated it in the same way we love Florence and Rome. This visit we were determined to learn about the city and understand the culture of Milan a little more.
We did this by booking a Fashion Tour with a fashion designer and a Walking Tour of the city. I would highly recommend both these tours.
Our Fashion Tour took us to The Navigli area, some independent boutiques, a wonderful vintage shop that the designers use for inspiration and the luxury fashion houses of Milan. It was wonderful to visit all the places and enjoy the beauty and passion of these designers of Milan. We were privileged to speak to a gorgeous gentleman in the Versace store who shared his passion and sadness about Gianni Versace and informed us about Donatello’s fashion tribute to her brother in this years collection. Gianni was murdered 20 years ago outside his Miami Beach mansion.
Helena Christensen, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Donatella Versace, Claudia Schiffer and Carla Bruni closed the Versace show as a tribute to Gianni Versace. Stephane Feugere/WWD
https://www.vogue.com/article/versace-spring-2018-gianni-supermodel-tribute
Donatello and Gianna before his death in 1997.
My favourite Fashion House was Dolce & Gabbana.
http://www.dolcegabbana.com/woman/collection/roseto/?i=dolce-and-gabbana-winter-2019-woman-collection-37
This beautiful piece was displayed in the Flagship store we visited. We felt like we had stepped into a Garden of Roses. It did not feel like we had stepped into a store selling clothes. The clothing, the fabrics and the handbags all included beautiful elements of a special garden.
The next day we explored Milan with a Walking Tour. Once again we immersed ourselves in the culture of the city. We visited the Duomo, Sforza Castle, La Scala, Leonardo’s Last Supper , The Church of San Mauricio al Monastero Maggiore, The Church of Santa Mara presto San Satiro and Cattelans controversial L.O.V.E. Sculpture.
The Duomo
Inside The Duomo
Sforza Castle
The Last Supper
Church of Santa Maria
The L.O.V.E. Sculpture
Milan will now hold a very special place in my memory. Not only did we explore these amazing places but my daughter and husband conspired for months to surprise me in Milan. My daughter Lucy is traveling around the world at the moment. We shared time in London together and when we said goodbye in London I did not expect to see her again until October. Our second morning in Milan she arrived at lunch. She then shared the next few days with us before she jetted off to India for the next leg of her travels.
There were lots of tears when she left!
I will continue my journey through Italy in my next blog post.
Until next time
Arriverdverci.
