TOSCANA & WINES

How to separate them??? Impossible.

Known by extraordinary wines, Toscana stands out for diversity. 

Bolgheri.... Not far away from the sea, this region produces the more notables wines of Toscana called informally as 'Super Tuscan'.

Tenuta San Guido is famous for the excellent wine Sassicaia, but also Guidalberto and La Difense. The winery is beautiful with a project of the architect Agnese Mazzei and it is not easy to book a visit.... Just a curiosity: the table of the main room is maiden with the wood of the stadium of Boca Juniors - Buenos Aires - Argentina.
Best wine: Sassicaia 2012.

www.tenutasanguido.com

Not far away, Ornellaia is also another 'Super Tuscan'. It is possible to book visits and lunch on-line. 

Best wine: Ornellaia 2002.

www.ornellaia.com

Le Macchiole is an 'azienda agricola' that produces excellent wine. Book a visit and enjoy the view of that winery.

Best wine: Paleo Red 2008
www.lemacchiole.com

Tenuta Guado al Tasso - Marchesi Antinori. Tignanello, Solaia, Marchese Antinori, Badia a Passignano, Guado al Tasso, Il Brucciato are some examples of wines produced by the famous winery. Spread around Toscana, the winery of Bolgheri is just a sample. Should visit the winery located on San Cassiano.www.antinori.it

MILANO FOR KIDS

Yesterday a friend of mine that has 3 kids asked some tips. This city, known by the design, fashion and art can also provide culture and fun to kids.

Milano is a city to visit with kids? Yes, of course. All the museums have spaces dedicated to kids: art, design, creativity. Even that is an urban city, Milano has plenty of parks and gardens.

Check them here:

MUDEC - Museo Delle Culture has a program for kids from 4 until 11 years old that calls Mudec Junior. Mosaic Marroco gives the kids a ludic experience and you can buy the tickets online.www.mudec.it/en/mudec-junior/

PAC - Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea has an interesting proposal to introduce contemporary art to kids. Every Saturday and Sunday at 17h30. www.pacmilano.it/en/educational-and-guidedtours/

MUBA - Museo dei Bambini di Milano proposes workshops for kids and families, one of them looks funny and interesting: how to make a radio broadcast. Take a look: www.muba.it



Triennale di Milano created a space for kids called La Balena. Take a look: www.trienalle.org/en/famiglie-e-bambini/

Located around the Pinacoteca of Brera, the Orto Botanico di Brera is a green oasis in the middle of the center of Milano. Plenty of history, this is one of the programs to kids. www.brera.unimit.it  

Duomo di Milano is a symbol of the city in the world. Buy your tickets online and enjoy your visit. www.duomomilano.it
Check if the roof is open and your kids are going to discover a beautiful landscape.

Darsena deserves a walk with the kids, also a good place to eat as it is surrounded by restaurants and bars.

TOSCANA

If you read my last post..... If you don't, read it!!! 

Nearby the beach, few kms in the mountains, Tirli is a hiding place surrounded by beauty. 

Perched on a hill, from which the view of the landscape takes your breath away even to the most seasoned of travelers. The chestnut trees.... 

And there you can have a dinner with an incredible view and taste a different kitchen from the seaside.

Boar and mushrooms are on the menu!

Il Re di Macchia - www.ilredimacchia.it

Leccio Moro - www.ristorantelecciomoro.it

TOSCANA

Spring is there. Need some inspiration?

Less touristy than other beaches of Italy, the stretch of the Tyrrhenian coastline remains wild, unspoiled with a relaxed charm.

The seaside of Toscana

From Rome or Pisa..... Take a car and discover the coast that many have not found yet!

Castiglione della Pescaia grew around a medieval fortress and a fishery. This charming city is plenty of local products shops and nice restaurants. 

My bet is a lunch at Da Romolo and eat fresh fish and seafood. 

Punta Ala is a cozy place with an extend area of beach. Small hotels, a Golf club, a place to do a horse ride or chill-out. The Porto is the shopping and restaurant area and Gualdo a small shopping complex with a great selection of Italian fashion. If you want to try my suggestions .... 

Where to stay? 

Arli Hotel Punta Ala - a cozy and nice hotel just close to the sea. www.arlihotelpuntaala.com

Where and what to eat? 

Pasta, fish, vegetables, try Da Bruno - simple restaurant with an incredible quality of food. www.ristaurantedabruno.eu 

Ristaurante Bernardo with a charming terrace and fresh fishes or a nice pasta. www.ristaurantebernardo.it

A coffee with a pastry? In the mornings the Pasticceria Siciliana is crowded, it is worth a visit before shopping in Gualdo.

Follonica is not far away.... and if you want to try a restaurant to die for..... I recommend: Il Sottomarino. Don't miss the seafood and fresh fish.... Who says that Italian eats only Pasta? www.ilsottomarino.it

MILANO - TORTONA

And the Milano Design Week is around....

Tortona district host several exhibitions & performances.  

Shops with a new look: what you see is pop-up stores. Just a curiosity: do you know what is a pop-up store? It is a new concept of shop, a retail store that is open temporarily to take advantage of a trend.

The streets are plenty and design is everywhere. 

Check out some events:

SuperDesign Super Show - The address is Via Tortona 27. An experience to live in the space of 17.000 m2. An artificial tree hosts the visitors....www.superdesignshow.com


















The Invisible Kitchen - A visionary installation in a futuristic journey through the world of cooking, edited by Miele. Opificio 31 Emporio, Via Tortona  31. www.theinvisiblekitchen.miele.com














BlaBla Bubble - Discover the Sharing Effect - Installation interactive, created by Blablacar with the young collective of architectural research Fosbury Architecture.

Rio + Design 2016 - The atmosphere of my city invades Milano. Check the best of the creative output of this fascinating location. Opificio 31 Emporia, spazio 1,Via Tortona  31.
















Besides the exhibitions, you can also try the temporary restaurants, it is a must. One of them is situated at the boutique of Antonio Marras, one of the avant-guard Italian fashion designer that has worked with Kenzo for 10 years.www.antoniomarras.it/am/cat/milanodesignweek/post/milanodesignweek

MILANO - BRERA

Discovering the city during the Milano Design Week......
Walking around the Brera district, let your curiosity guide yourself.

Creativity and audacity together. Between the 1000 events planned, some take my attention:

. Editamateria - With few artists presents a special design and different materials. Via Garibaldi 41. 

Colour Machine - Vitra hosts the first pop-up store with a spatial installation. Via Maroncelli 14.

Best Packaging - Oscar dell'imabballagio 2016 - Solferino 27 - Via Solferino 27

Fjord Trends 2016: Listening to the Digital Design Pulse - ClubHouse Brera, Foro Buonaparte 22.

Il design eco innovativo made in Italy - Meet Lab, Via Del Carmine 9.

Plan a visit to the Pinacoteca di Brera those days and try the new chair exposed only there: FENIX NTM.www.pinacotecabrera.org

Then walk around and discover the secrets of Brera! Hidden gardens among buildings, galleries of art, charming shops and restaurants. 

Guido Gobino considered one of the best in Italy: www.guidogobino.com
Il Profumo is an authentic shop, with special scents if you are looking for a change or a gift. www.profumomilano.com
Ginger is a business of family, fine jewelry with the Italian design. www.gingergioilli.com

Restaurants and Tea-Room:

Japanese food with a touch of Brazil: Temakinho - www.temakinho.com 
Balanced food with a special touch, try Carminio - www.carminiocucina.com
Italian kitchen at God Save the Food at Piazza del Carmine,1.
Just a tea.... Kusmi Tea House - www.kusmitea.com

MILANO

April has arrived and the Milano Design Week is launched! The Salone del Mobile begins with several events, the city is already crowded and it is possible to feel the design atmosphere everywhere! www.salonemilano.it

During six days, the neighborhood of Brera and Tortona will expose many exhibitions and performances. It is a happening 
in Milano. Check the program and if you are around don't miss www.fuorisalone.it 

URUGUAY - PUNTA & MORE

Punta del Este has international notoriety and is known by jet set life. But I can show you that it is much more than that...

Gorgeous beaches, lagoons, vast fields, wineries, charming shops and good restaurants. A place for those that are sport lovers and also for those that are looking for some peace and chilling out in the sand.

Mansa and Brava define the two sides of the city.  Manantiales, Bikini Beach, Montoya, Jose Ignacio are some of the several beaches along the coast. 

Plenty of small lagoons, you might watch a magic spectacle of kite surf, a gift for our eyes, believe me!

Further on the coast, the famous beach of Jose Ignacio has a singular charm. Wild beach with charming restaurants and small hotels. Book a table in La Huella in advance, always crowded. www.paradorlahuella.com

Watch the sunset from Punta Ballena just before Punta, it is a breathtaking!!!! Off-season you can even go whale-watching from the coast....

Eat late.... In summertime is almost impossible to book table before 10 p.m., but there are places that don't accept reservation and are fabulous. Try Si Querida - located in Maldonado, Ventura Alegre - just in front of the Hospital of Maldonado. The chef Martin surprises with an original menu.Still in Maldonado, Las Pavas serves the best lamb of the region, but there need reservation: +598 4225 2773.

Taking the other side of the city, ELMO is located in a hidden place in Manantiales. This charming restaurant has a spectacular view and delicious pizzas. Don't miss the drinks! www.elmo.com.uy

Looking for a salad and some snack? Olivia is in the center of Punta and it is considered one of the best. Simple place and delicious food with large portions. Tel + 598 4244 5121

Break the beach-routine visiting the Fundacion Atchugarry. This complex situated in a vast park of sculptures  has the exhibition of the artist that gave the name of the place and also some others artists. Don't miss it!!!  www.fondationpabloatchugarry.com

If you are ready to drive, Bodega Garzon is located 80km away from Punta Del Este. Known by the winery and production of olive oil, a sightseeing can be booked in the domain  www.bodegagarzon.com 

TRAVEL AROUND ....... URUGUAY

Discovering places! A wild countryside, famous beaches, excellent meat - for those that are lovers like me - and very good wine. Uruguay surprises...If you are around Montevideo and need tips, check them here:

Looking for an 'asado': La Perdiz, Don Andres, El Palenque and Terracota are my recommendations.
La Perdiz: +598 2711 8963
Don Andres: www.donandres.com.uy
El Palenque: www.elpalenque.com.uy
Terracota: www.terracota.com.uy

Francis is also an excellent option. A classic of the city, this restaurant has an impeccable service and a variety of meats and fishes www.francis.com.uy

If you are looking for a charming restaurant , try Tandory. You are not going to be disappointed. The chef Gabriel Coquel is considered one of the best in town. Don't forget to make a reservation:www.tandory.com

Revisiting receipts of his grandmother, the new restaurant of Hugo Soca carries her name: TONA. After several years running the restaurant of Alliance Française, Hugo and Gabriel receive in a new address with the same quality as before! Make a reservation if you are planning a dinner: tel +598 2712 7628

The center of Montevideo is plenty of charming and historical restaurants. If you are around, don't miss some of them:
Sin Pretensiones www.sinpretensiones.com.uy
La Petite Cuisine www.restaurantmontevideo.com
Jacinto www.jacinto.com.uy







If you are looking for a guide to visit around - Montevideo, Colonia and Punta, my friend Anelise is the person to contact : aneliber@gmail.com . She organizes your stay giving suggestion to enjoy your trip better, she speaks Spanish, Portuguese and English.


Maybe you are wondering about..... shopping. I think that one of the things more original that I found there are coats and wool pieces. The handcraft is also original. 
My bets are:

Manos Del Uruguay - The concept of that shop is really nice with pieces from several areas of the country. www.manos.com.uy

Don Baez - In my opinion, the most beautiful design in wool of Uruguay. Beautiful pieces to wear and to decorate home. Take a look:www.donbaez.com

If you need more tips, don't hesitate: write me carlotagoesaround@gmail.com or let a comment here.

ARCHITECTURE

The 'Queen of the Curves' passed way. Zaha Hadid left us her fantastic works......