Milan Design Week Survival Kit & Our Must-See Milan Itinerary.

Ahhh Milano. I love it so much. It’s a sexy city on fire at the best of times, but during the Design Week, it transforms into an energetic place with so much to do and see. Today I wanted to share some tips for the upcoming Salone del Mobile including our must-see Milan itinerary – from shopping, restaurants, bars & site seeing. So if you’re heading to Milan Design Week 2015 in April (or any other time for that matter), this is the list that covers all the bits in between visiting the main events during Salone del Mobile. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so if you have your own tips, please feel free to include them in the comments below. #MDW15 SURVIVAL TIPS

Oi. Don’t skip this part and go straight to the pretty pictures, k? This is important.

Only wear comfortable shoes. This is VERY important! Don’t be an idiot and fall for the farrrrshion trap of wearing “cute flats” and “elegant non-heels” or whatever. That shit just doesn’t cut it. Trust me. Do you know how I know this? Go for (preferably cool) sneakers only and you can thank me later.

Establish and know your path of travel during the Week and stick to it – decide which areas you are focusing on that day and don’t deviate as you will lose too much time. Also, always have a map handy. Obviously.

If this is your first (or even the second) time in Milan, just go with the flow and accept you will miss a lot of stuff – make peace with this, don’t suffer major FOMO by following #MDW15 Instagram hashtag thinking – OMG I missed THAT? It takes years of practice to know how to maximise your time in Milan during Salone, so go easy on yourself. Besides, nobody can do and see it all. Not even I. Ha!

Pace yourself and don’t go too hard too early in the week. The burnout is strong during Salone. Slow (but not too slow) and steady wins the race. Also, be ruthless with your time. If you get to a venue and it’s not floatin’ your boat, just split and do a dash for your next stop immediately. Just do it, and avoid making eye contact with anyone, slash fake an asthma attack if you need to. Do whatever it takes. Just know your time in Milan is precious.

Say yes to prosecco. Always. You are in Italy for God’s sake!

Related Post: Things to Do in Milan.

EAT & DRINK.

Un Posto a Milano // A restaurant, a bar and a guesthouse that’s part of Cascina Cuccagna, an 18th-century farm compound in the middle of Milan that’s recently been transformed into a cultural and culinary centre. Chef Nicola Cavallaro serves delicious, seasonal creations and a selection of the best Italian wines, beers and cocktails. This place is also home to community gardens, farmers’ markets and eco-friendly events.

Via Cuccagna, 2
unpostoamilano.it

Carlo e Camilla in Segheria // Michelin-starred chef Carlo Cracco and art director Tanja Solci have joined forces to create Carlo e Camilla in Segheria, the latest addition to Milan’s fertile restaurant scene. The restaurant is housed in an old sawmill purchased by Solci’s grandparents back in the 1930s. Look out for a full feature about this restaurant and a little Q&A with Tanja in the next few days.

Via Giuseppe Meda, 24
carloecamillainsegheria.it

T’a Bistro by Vincenzo de Cotis // Designed by the local architect Vincenzo de Cotiis, the interior of this delicious boutique chocolate shop-slash-restaurant has a saucy retro 1960s Italian feel, featuring accents of brass, plush velvet upholstery and the all important significance and abundance of marble. A perfect setting for a cosy dinner or a luxe aperitivo. Prosecco anyone?

Via Clerici, 1
tamilano.com

Ceresio 7 Pool Bar & Restaurant // This rooftop Pool Bar & Restaurant located in an historical 1930s building from the Fascist era in Milan is a place to see and be seen. The site previously housed the offices of the national electricity company, and is now the home of the Canadian fashion house DSQUARED². Commissioned by Dean and Dan Caten, the twin brothers behind DSQUARED², the interior was designed by the legendary Dimore Studio.

via Ceresio, 7
Ceresio 7

Osteria del Binari // For a bit of old-school glamour, you simply cannot go past Bistrot & Osteria del Binari. Hands down one of my favourte places in Milan. Sit outside under the canopy if wisteria, and watch the waiters pirouette around you in an effortless well rehearsed dance, the way only Italian waters know how. Perfect for breakfast, lunch (get the Cotoletta alla Milanese!) and/ or dinner. Or do as I do and go there for all three meals. Extreme love!

Via Tortona, 3
osteriadelbinari.com

A Santa Lucia // A small monument and an institution in the centre of Milan. Its rooms remain exactly as they were in the ‘30s when the restaurant was previously located in Via Agnello: with the chairs, tables, mirrors, wall lamps and wood panelling all being reused. Everything is simple and original, even the high chair that was ‘host’ to the children of high Milanese society to other celebrities throughout history.

Via S. Pietro all’Orto, 3
asantalucia.it

Bar Basso // A true cult destination for drinking devotees, Bar Basso was the first-ever Milanese bar to introduce the “aperitif” concept to everyday people back in 1973. Don’t go here if you are after a quiet drink though. The place gets slammed with hoards of designers and creatives descending upon it during the Milan Design Week, transforming Bar Basso into a place of epic mega-parties – an experience unlike any other. I’m still not game enough to go back after copping one of the most severe hangovers of my “career” back in 2010. But you should totally go.

Via C. S. Plinio, 39
barbasso.com

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