Italia - Milano, Lake Garda, Verona

Post 1 of 4: Trip to Northern Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia

MILANO (see bottom of post for Lake Garda and Verona)
One of our best trips to date, maybe more so because it exceeded all expectations by a long shot - and the fact it was a road trip made it that much more enjoyable as we could stop at local spots along the way and explore way off the beaten path. Although the tolls are a bit much, the roads are amazing and the rest stops very clean and frequent - don't forget to download the free offline routing app Maps.Me - saved our whole trip! And early September is the best time to go - crowds are gone, weather is gorgeous and you can still get a good beach day in. Or stay for fashion week!

Stunning Duomo

 Milano was our first stop - an easy and amazing destination, a calmer and prettier (both people and location) New York City, and easy to get to via a direct flight through Emirates (very luxurious aboard the A380 with Donatella Versace in tow). From the minute we landed, I felt right at home - everyone was so nice on this trip, and the food and scenery just finished it off. Everyone told me Milano was industrial and nothing to write home about- completely disagree and think it is a stunning "hidden gem" in that case as I am already eager to plan a trip back!!

The Must Dos
- Stay in the quaint Navigli District in the SW, along canals designed by DaVinci, with some of the liveliest restaurants and bars in the whole city. Easy to park the car as well.

Navigli District

- Hotel: The Yard in Navigli. A cross between John Varvatos and a Lower East Side bar themed with different sporting genres - we stayed in the Motorcycle room. Great lounge area outside to have cocktails, fun lounge inside for breakfast, and my favorite was waking up to the gentle rustic sound of street sweeping outside our window by a local. Since the hotel is recessed from the road in a quiet neighborhood, it is very quiet and relaxing for a city hotel (even though its in a very trendy area walking distance to everything you need and want!)

Santa Maria delle Grazie

- Restaurants: Taglio, Il Salumaio de Montemilano (didn't get to Ratana, next time)

Taglio

- Shopping: There are many amazing areas for shopping, just explore! It's Italy, can't go wrong. 10 Corso Como is just nice to explore - shopping, bookstore, cafe and garden.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

10 Corso Como

- Things to do: Fondazione Prada, the famous Duomo, The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie, and the outdoor Cavalli Club if you feel like a night out. The Last Supper does require advanced tickets which we highly recommend, and we never do a guided tour but this one was worth it as you get a lot of insider info - the "fresco" (which it technically isn't) is in a side building next to Santa Maria delle Grazie and you are only allowed 15 minute viewing times with absolutely no photos. It's amazing to see in person and learn about all the hidden symbols and meaning, including the knotted tablecloth - you will just have to see for yourself to find out what it means!

Fondazione Prada

LAKE GARDA
So beautiful and relaxing - the water is bluer than blue. Tons of agriturismos which was my favorite - we stayed at Prati Palai for one short night and I really wish it was a whole week. It's atop a hill overlooking the lake and the town of Bardolino. Breakfast is outside with local figs and the most amazing cappuccino and croissants - yum!

Lake Garda- view from Prati Palai

Don't forget to take a day and book a wine tour at one of the many amazing wineries - we picked Giuseppe Quintarelli - Francesco gave us the tour himself so it was very special. The olive trees in the area inspire me to start our farm and bed and breakfast right now - another few years, atleast we have the spot picked out now. A dream in the making!

Vineyards and Poplars...Italian Countryside

Giuseppe Quintarelli

Local olive oil is so delicious and the food is stellar, have any local fish. We drove to the beautiful Locanda San Vigilio which is a beautiful restaurant perched on the edge of the lake on this peninsula - they are known for their fish buffet which I almost turned down but it was not your standard buffet. Whole fish, smoked fish, raw fish, prawns, prosciutto, and just goodness.

Prati Palai Agriturismo

Ready for Harvest

VERONA
A quick day trip or stop for lunch on the way to Venice - and yes the home of the balcony that inspired it all. Definitely a little cheesy but why not believe. A very quaint city (much bigger than we thought) with some amazing food - we found our favorite hidden taverna, an escape from the world, sharing some of the best memories of the trip and knowing we couldn't be found, that is what traveling with the person you love is all about.

Our favorite taverna in Verona 

"Juliet's Balcony"