After my recent visit to Turin (see here my posts), I got the chance to get to know another city in north Italy, Milan, one of the fashion capitals of the world. I was asked to accompany a friend who was invited to visit a jewelry manufactory, which booked us into the Park Hyatt with its best location among all 5 star hotels in town. Although I had not ample chance for explorations, I caught some glimpses of this city, considered by many Italy’s up-and-coming city, not only as to fashion but in other sectors, too.

In the last few years, Milan has become a magnet for people from all over Italy looking for careers in fashion of course, but also in design and media as well as increasingly, in manufacturing and finance. Along with Rome’s gradual decline, Milan was able to gain importance with its forward-looking attitude, which shows also in high-rise towers going up across the city and transforming its skyline.

When it comes to Milan’s sights, the best known is probably the Duomo di Milano, the Milan Cathedral, one of the largest and most elaborate Gothic cathedrals in Europe, with a construction time of more than 500 years!

Another popular attraction is Il Cenacolo, The Last Supper, a late 15^th century mural painting by Leonardo da Vinci,

to be found in the Church of Santa Maria della Grazia.

Only a limited number of visitors are allowed to view it at a time (for 15 minutes), so advance reservations are a must. A good way to see one of Italy’s most famous artworks is on the occasion of a guided tour including the mentioned church, the adjacent La Vigna di Leonardo, a 15^th century historical palazzo with one of the most interesting gardens in town

containing the original vines of Leonardo da Vinci,

and last but not least the Church of Santa Maria della Grazia’s refectory with the painter’s masterpiece.

Next to the Milan Cathedral there is another of the city’s landmarks, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a beauty of a shopping arcade, constructed in the 19^th century, with a barrel-vaulted iron and glass ceiling in the Belle Epoque style.

If you want to feel the pulse of Milan as one of the leading fashions capitals worldwide, then go to the Quadrilatero d’Oro, the Golden Rectangle of Fashion, just north of the Duomo di Milano, which is tightly packed with the best haute couture has to offer.

The other restaurant at the Park Hyatt, VUN Andrea Aprea, has two Michelin stars and offers Italian classics with a twist. Of course, there is also a bar, the stylish Mio Lab,

complete with an outdoor seating. I did not have lunch or dinner at the Park Hyatt, but had breakfast, which was good, however we were not asked whether we wanted to order egg dishes (we did not want any …), and had a drink in the bar, which was nice.

In terms of other amenities, you find here a spa, a fitness room and there is even a special service for pets called V.I.D. (Very Important Dog).

Out of the 106 rooms, where you have quite a choice with a good few categories, I had a King Bed Room or even a King Deluxe Room, I cannot be sure because I had not booked it myself. In any case, the room was spacious, well-appointed, tastefully furnished and had an efficient air conditioning.

The oversized bathroom clad in Italian marble featured both a large bath and a shower as well as two sinks

Also in the bathroom, there was ample space for putting two bags and hanging clothes. All in all, I liked the room, I felt very comfortable in here, the only thing I found a bit suboptimal was the fact that the room was rather dark as there was only one, not overly big window but of course you have to take into account that it is historical building …

In case you look for an elegant restaurant with a good Italian cuisine near the hotel, I can recommend you one, Paper Moon Giordano,

a stylish place with a delightful inner patio

in the heart of the fashion district, about 10 minutes to walk from the Park Hyatt. We were served an excellent five course menu featuring dried ham with pickles,

a burrata cheese with turnip tops,

a mushroom risotto,

a beef fillet on artichokes

and a tarte Tatin with cinnamon-vanilla ice cream,

and this by very friendly staff. If you wonder about the prices, I checked the menu and judged them as reasonable given the quality of the food and the prime location.