postcards from milan

Approaching Milan, the majestic Alps appears outside my window.

I first saw the Duomo and its iconic spires at dusk. The intricacies of the facade was a sight to behold. The night quickly fell over the city, and the Duomo turned gold.

From one house of worship to another, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II next door is a church for worldly desires.

My second day in Milan started with a stroll along Via Montenapoleone. The most revered street on the city’s “Golden Square”, the brands housed here can blind you – from Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, to Ferragamo, Valentino and Versace.

Off Via Montenapoleone on a street named Via Santo Spirito lies the Balenciaga store. The interior is amazing and going through the racks of clothes and displays of its famous leather goods is an experience on its own.

On the same street we found this beautiful iron-gated building, such a perfect backdrop for a photograph. Shot a la The Sartorialist by my friend Maureen.

Opposite is the Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi with its gorgeous heavy doors. It now houses one of the finest museum homes in Europe.

These Fiat Planters along Via Montenapoleone are awesome. These are fiber glass versions of the Fiat 500 C model. A “green” car? Definitely.

The Armani flagship store on Via Manzoni is a multi-concept store that covers an entire block and offers the requisite Armani clothing along with chocolates, food, books, and homeware and furnishings.

Hungry past lunch-time, we headed to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II where I saw in brilliant detail its beautiful arcades and glass dome. We settled for the restaurant across the Gucci Cafe. I had asparagus risotto with scallops.

The obligatory Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II shot.

In front of the Prada store. I got myself a souvenir from here. The paper bag carries the Fratteli Prada (Prada Brothers) label.

And the Louis Vuitton store. Surprisingly, I did not enter here. A mistake?

Amazing details on the interior facade.

Stepping out of the Galleria, we viewed the world famous La Scala from this patch of autumn leaves.

Maureen and I decided to go back to the Duomo, where I was to take the lift to the rooftop.

8 euros and a short lift ride after, I was treated to views of the city from above.

The Gothic cathedral took 500 years to build and is often described as one of the greatest churches in the world.

The cathedral is adorned with over 3,400 statues.

And 135 spires.

Everywhere you look is simply breathtaking.

The view of Piazza del Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II.

The best time of the day to go up the roof is towards dusk, as the setting sun romances both spires and spectators.

I visited the Corso Como outlet on Via Tazzoli on my third day. Tucked within a discreet building, last-season goods from the world’s most exclusive men’s and women’s fashion brands are sold here. This day they had discounts on Balenciaga, Burberry Prorsum, Pierre Hardy and Prada, in addition to the already reduced rates on men’s fashion, accessories and shoes. I got something here, too. The nearby 10 Corso Como store, on the other hand, is a class on its own complete with a bookstore and a cafe.

For dinner, we headed to the Navigli District that is famous for its canals.

I had the rich Osso Bucco meal at Officina 12, a great looking place that serves classic and regional dishes. There is also a bar that looks happening.

Porta Ticinese with ionic columns and bearing the words Dedic. Anno. 1815.

To end this trip, a gelato was in order. We headed to Grom where I had the creamiest and smoothest Pistachio ice cream I’ve had in my life. Ever. It was so good.

Milan is as beautiful after dark as it is in daytime. And on my last night, the moon was peeking from behind the clouds. Casting its light to this wide-eyed wanderer. Buona notte Milano.