Italy’s industrious, caffeine-fuelled northern city Milan is famous for fashion, design and the beautiful game…
Sleep: For a minimal design den near the Duomo, stay at Straf Hotel & Bar, starring textile-draped interiors by fashion talent Vincenzo de Cotiis. Boasting frock-bedecked beds and illuminated mannequins, Maison Moschino boutique hotel in Milan is surreally stylish. The Gray Hotel is one for romantics, with a sexy swing in the lobby.
Shop: Cutting-edge fashion, beauty products, design and books are showcased at Carla Sozzani’s concept store 10 Corso Como, near Maison Moschino. Spazio Rossana Orlandi, at Via Matteo Bandello 14-16, is another creative space for happening homewares. Milan’s Golden Quadrilateral, bounded by Via Montenapoleone, Via Borgospresso, Via Della Spiga and Via Sant’Andrea, is home to designer fashion, including Emporio Armani’s flagship store and café. Pick up leather gloves at Sermoneta, at 46 Via Della Spiga.
Snack: There’s a gorgeous café and restaurant in the foliage-fringed courtyard at 10 Corso Como, or make for hip La Rinascente department store’s mozzarella bar Obika at Piazza Duomo.
See: Book ahead for timed entry to see Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ at Cenacolo Vinciano (+39 (0)2 92 800 360). Pop into towering Gothic cathedral, the Duomo, or just admire the façade from classic bar Camparino, where Campari was invented, beside cathedral-like shopping arcade Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
Stroll: Wander the historic, central Brera quarter for convivial cafés, cool bars, boutiques and galleries.
Spa: Book a treatment at Maison Moschino’s Culti Spa, part of Alessandro Agrati’s chic Culti lifestyle label. Facials and massages are inspired by beauty-boosting Brittany sea water.
Savour: Rub shoulders with supermodels at Dolce & Gabbana’s Gold restaurant at the corner of Piazza Risorgimento and Via Carlo Poerio, or quaff a cocktail at the all-black Bar Martini in their boutique at 7 Corso Venezia.
Sip: Compact and edgy Straf Bar, at 3 Via San Raffaele, is a magnet for the fashion set, drawn by its retro good looks, potent cocktails and generous nibbles. You’ll also find buzzy bars in the canalside Navigli district.
To book any of Mr & Mrs Smith’s stylish boutique hotels visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or call the expert Travel Team on 1300 896 627. Smith guests enjoy exclusive extras at all stays.