Top Brioche + Coffee Places in Milan

Okey if you're in Italy the chances to drink a bad coffee and have an untasty brioche is nearly impossible. But there are some places that just makes your day. Sometimes I wake up earlier just to enjoy my brioche and capuccino... There you go the list:
1) Bar Due Spade: This bar cooks freshly brioches every morning sometimes they are just out of the oven and when you take a bite out if you feel as if you are in heaven.

2) Bar Cimmino: This bar at the behind of  Duomo offers an amazing coffee very tasty brioches and also pasticerria. Definetly worth trying and the prices are normal.

3) Panini Durini: Although it's a chain it's very successful. They have a waste variety of brioches, muffins, toasts and paninis. They serve good quality of coffee and reasonable prices. If you like brioche con crema this is the place to go.

4) Bistrot Milano Centrale: This place is my favorite when I'm in Centrale. The inside decoration is amazing, the brioches are warm and tasty and the coffee is really good. They have recently opened a store in Duomo.

5) San Carlo: This little corridor bar in San Babila is my favorite. Just looking at the brioches will make you hungry. It's slightly over priced but at least once you should try it. If you like morrachino, have it here to have a different kind of experience.

6) Cioccolati İtaliani: Okey this place is famous for its extraordinary ice creams but you should definitely try the coffee and the brioches in this place. Plus they are almost everywhere in Milan! But my favourite is the one on Via Torino!

7) California Bakery: This place is famous is for the food so why not start the day with a freshly baked cake and a hot American coffee?

Top 6 Must Go Bars in Milan

Milan is full of bars, aperitivo places, places to chill and hang. But some of them are just too good that you should visit at least one time. Here's the list:

1) Mag Cafe: This bar is my favorite in Milan in Naviglio Grande. Their drinks are so good, the bartenders are so experienced and even tho you just tell them what a kind a taste you want they'll create something authentic just for you. No extra costs. The inside decoration is very warm and welcoming. You feel like home while you are there. The price of drinks change between 5-12€ and from 18.30 to 21.00 they serve a cheese and salami plate at each table and refill when finished.

2) Nottingham Forest: The seocnd bar famous for the drinks. The menu is like an encyclopedia and you have too many choices so you might need to go there several times just to taste different options where you can't find anywhere else. The bar is on Viale Piave where tram 9 passes.

3) Rita's Bar: Another cool bar with cool cocktails located in Naviglio Grande. If you are lucky you can find a place to sit and enjoy the dishes which are very delicious or you can take your drink and chill outside the bar with many other people.

4) Blue Note: If you like jazz this is the bar to go.It's a bit far in Via Pietro Borsieri, but the atmosphere and the music is really good. Trust me you won't regret!

5) Ugo: This bar is always full there is this long queue, not enough tables so everyone enjoys the drink standing up but they literally enjoy because it tastes awesome!!! Try this bar when you feel like walking around with your drink in your hand.

6) Atomic Bar: This bar offers good music, super nice environment and good drinks. Try this place in Porta Venezia especially on a Thursday night!

Top Places To Study in Milan

If you want to study somewhere else beside the library of the uni or your home Milan offers some good opions
1) Open: It's a book store, a cafe, study place. they have everything inside. Located in Porta Romana you can easily go there, chill and enjoy a cup of coffee while studying. If you subscribe yearly for 18€, you can book the rooms as well as to enter the silent rooms.

2) Gogol and Company: If you are familiar with Shakespeare and Company in France, this place has adopted the same mentality. First floor is reserved for books and coffee and second floor is reserved for studying.

3) Design Library: Located in Via Savona, this library offers such creative environment that you couldn't resist. You can meet people while studying enjoy an aperitivo or a coffee.

Top 4 Pizza Places in Milan

1) Fabbrica Pizzeria: Fabrica is a very well known pizzeria located in Naviglio Grande and Corso Como. Their pizzas are so good you can't resist the temptation of not finishing that big portion.

2) Bocconi Giusti: This is a popular spot especially for Bocconi students. It's 2mins away from the uni on Viale Bligny. They serve slices of pizza. If you want the whole thing you may need to wait for a while. This small spot has no tables inside basically you need to have a take out. In a nice weather you can enjoy your slice in the park which is nearby Parco Ravizza.

3) Spontini: If you are longing for a fat, thick slice of pizza then Spontini is the answer for you. They have multiple spots around the city. The most popular one is in Duomo again it's better to have a take away because there are no seats basically you enjoy your pizza on foot indoors. You can have a half or whole pizza as take away. If you want the restaurant atmosphere then try Spontini in Corso Buenos Aires or Piazza Cinque Giornata.

4) Princi Bakery: This place is famous basically for everything. What they do labels as focaccia but trust me on this one you won't be sorry. The amazing taste will blow your mind. You can check the one in Corso Como or Via Italia.

Top 5 Burger Places Milan

Milan is full of delicious street food stops. When you are here forget about McDonalds and treat yourself with delicous burgers! Here is the list:
1) 202 Burger: Located in Corso Porto Ticinese, they offer the most delicious burgers in town served with french fries. You can either eat there, have it take away or order-in. The prices are fair and the taste is just amazing.

2) Mama Burger: Just by looking at its logo we can imagine the cuteness of the place. They have several shops in Milan but my favorite one is in Duomo. If you go there at lunch time there is a special offer which includes a burger of your choice, french fries, a drink and a coffee just for 10€! And the taste is worth it!

3)Polpa: This burger place hidden in the small street one in the side street of Viale Sabotino and the other at the side street of Porta Ticinese offers different options of meat (veal,chicken,veggie) to put in your burger. You either choose a fixed ingredient burger with your choice of meat or create your own! Unfortunately french fries aren't included need to order them separately.

4)Burger Wave: Do you want the feel the Australian breeze? Check this burger place which is on Naviglio Martesena and also in Ticinese. Again you can choose the type of meat you want. Unfortunately french fries aren't included need to order them separately.

5)Ham Holy Burger: Delicious meat, tasty breads, fresh ingredients and fair prices. This place located in Viale Sabotino deserves a visit!

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante

This quite town located in Liguria between Genova and Riamaggiore deserves more credits for its beauty. This small fishing town has a quite big history lying at it’s hills and serenity at the sea side.

1) Bay of Silence: As you walk through the town first it’s T-shape structure surprises you but this shape helps to a hide the Bay of Silence. This small bay has a tiny sandy beach opposed to other beaches in Sestri Levante. Although it’s quite known by tourists as well the crystal clear waters and the surrounding colourful buildings gives a comfort and peace. You may find some local places of the classical Italian cuisine. 

2) Gelato and more Gelato: Although the town is quite small it has more gelateria shops and most of towns in Italy. I would recommend Tema Gelati e Molto di Piu. There are many different flavours to be tried!

3) Capuccini Monastery: This monastery dates back to 1688 and it is located in a fantastic location, a bit uphill on Baia del Silenzio, with stunning views on the bay. The convent is still active and there are a few monks "Cappuccini" living there, celebrating a public Mass every day.

View from the church

4) The Castle and San Nicolo Church: There is a small castle, whose foundations date to about 1089 AD overlooking Sestri Levante. During the ensuing decades, like other towns and villages along this coast, it was subjected to brutal raids by Saracens and pirates.  The Castel was extended and fortified in 1145.  The town itself was also encircled with walls containing four gates, cirtually none of which remain today.  Inside the walls, between 1151 AD and 1190 AD, the first major church, Chiesa San Nicola, was built.  It remains in sacred operation to this day.  Further fortifications, in the shape of two other castles were built, one in 1310 AD, and the other, the Castle of the Eagle, in 1440. 

San Nicolo Church

5) City Center: The city center is constituted by one main street which is “XXVI Aprile” which is full of shops, small cafes and ice cream shops. There are may tiny streets crossing the main street. As you walk in the city center remember to look up to colourful buildings surrounding you. 

View of Old Town

Top Places to Eat in Barcelona

Let's admit there are so many places to eat in Barcelona but most of them are way to touristic, taste isn't good and the prices are high. Here's a small list that you can try:
1) Ciudad Condal: To have the best tapas in town. It's very crowded so I suggest you make a reservation. It's in the intersection of Gran Via and Rambla Catalunya

2) Cerveceria Catalana: Another very good tapas place, couple blocks away from Ciudad Condal

3)Casa Alfonso: Located in Urqinaona, this places offers quality traditional food as well as tapas

4)7 portes : Place to go if you want to taste the best paella in town. It's a bit expensive bu worth every penny. It's between El Born and Barcelonata, reservation is a must.

5) El Xampanyet: This small bar is located in El Born they serve only cava and jamon. It's a very different experience. There are no places to sit so you eat outside while meeting new people. It's very cheap and very tasty.

6)Maka maka: Located in Barceloneta, this small place serves the tastiest burgers in Barcelona. the atmosphere is cozy and friendly

7) Bar Lobo: One of my favorite bars in Barcelona. The decoration is amazing as well as the cocktails and tapas. It's a must go place. It's on a side street of La Rambla 

8) Cafe Berlin: It's a very cool bar with different cocktails.

9) W hotel - Eclipse: This hotel is located at the heart of the city and it's night club is one of the best in town. Even though you don't like clubbing you will love this place for it's view

10) Bar Sutton: One of the best night clubs in town. If you are travelling as a group get a table where you can enjoy yourself more!

11)Plaza Real: This secret courtyard lies next to La Rambla. It has large number of restaurants and night clubs. I don't suggest the nightclubs however have a drink at one of the restaurants and enjoy the vibrations of the piazza.

12) Bastaix: Located in El Born near the church this little cave offers the oldest scoths in town. It's a must try place.

13) La Luna: Again in one of the side streets of EL Born you will find this bar which is pro in making mojitos.

14) La Fabrica: Try this place in El Born if you like empanadas.You will feel as if you were in Argentina.

15) Happy Pills: The best candy shop in Barcelona. First you choose the size of the cup you want to purchase then you fill it among infinite choices of candies. Then you choose a tag that you want to label your candies. There are variety of tag choices. The candies are the yummiest as well as the stores.

Barcelona Vol.2

In my previous post I have listed the top touristic places to see since Barcelona is hosting many artwork many artist such as Gaudi, Picasso. However there are much more to do and enjoy the city like a local.
Top 9things to do in Barcelona to enjoy the city:

1)     Wonder in the streets of El Gothic. To reach these two areas you can take off at the metro stop Jaume 1. As you get off from the metro you find yourself in a little piazza, take the first left, there is a shop called Incas at the corner and walks the tiny street where you will see the old city walls. Back at the time the city was only that big in order to be able to protect the city. Now some towers are inhabited without destroying the façade.

Old city walls

Street view 

If you continue the street you will find the big gothic church which is just too beautiful. A little bit further in the piazza there is the writing of Barcelona from iron.

2)    Baixada de Santa Eulalia: 13 year old Roman Christian virgin who suffered martydorm in Barceolna during the persecution of Christians in the reign of emperor Diocletain.

The Street where they rolled her in the barrel

        For refusing to recant her Christianity, the Romans subjected her to tortures. First they put her into a barrel with knives stuck into it and rolling it down a street, then they cut of her breast followed by crucifixion on X shaped crossed and finally decapitation. Her tomb is now in the cathedral in El Gotic. 

Her tomb

3)     El Born: This neighborhood is so lively. Tiny streets are full of shops, cafes and bars. As you wonder around you will lose track of time. It’s a very lively neighborhood during night as well. 

Street art in El Born

Colors rule the streets in this area

4)     Passeig de Gracia: This long street full, trees planted on both sides has many shops, restaurants and one of Gaudi’s houses. But if you continue this street till Gracia you end up in a more alternative street which is quite nice to wander. It’s a good alternative to mingle with some locals. 

5)     Barcelonata: This place is known for its beach, bars and night clubs. Both locals and tourists are attracted to this side of the city. While you are here enjoy the long side walk. If you don’t want to look like a tourist you can hire rollerblades or a skateboard. Enjoy the view of the sea and the sand sculptures done by various artists, no matter the season. If you like gambling there is a quite big casino here.

6)     Bogatell: If you choose the summer season to visit Barcelona, be aware of the crowd in Barcelonata beach. However if you go a bit further from Barcelonata to Bogatell (15min walking or you can take the yellow metro line), you have the exact same sandy beach, only a less crowded place with a cleaner water.

7)     Montjuic: This little hill with a flat top overlooking to the harbor could be reached by a funicular. On the top of the hill there is a fortress from 17^th century.  It served as a prison, often holding political prisoners, until the time of General Franco. Now it offers an amazing view. There is also National Palace, some remaining venues from 1992 Summer Olympics. The slopes are covered with well attended gardens.

8)     Tibidabo Hill: This is the greenest place of Barcelona. The houses are more luxurious, the atmosphere is very relaxing. There is a church "Temple de Sagrat Cor" which was built in 60 years from 1902 to 1962, an attraction park with full of tools, it's super exciting enjoying a roller coaster from 500m higher and lastly "Torre i Mira dor de Collserola" which is 288m long and its 10th floor is the highest spot where you can watch over Barcelona.

9) Arc de Triomf: In 1888 Barcelona hosted the Universal Exhibition. The Arc de Triomf was built as the gateway to the fair which was held in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The monument is classical in shape and proportions and features ground-breaking sculptural and decorative finishes replete with symbolism. It has become one of the city's iconic landmarks.