It’s Ok to Window Shop

Returning to Milan for a day visit from Como each year is fraught with finding a suitable time to view Leonardo Da Vinci’s enthralling fresco of the Last Supper. We only get to spend a few short hours  to become acquainted with the Fairy Tale looking Duomo, walk through the glorious Galleria Vittorio Emanuele’s ornate 1800s arcade, take a peek into Peck, Milan’s historic deli which is a bastion of the city’s culinary heritage and come to grips with what makes this city the Fashion Capitol it is. Some take a  walk along Via Monte Napoleone Europe’s most expensive street and its Ok to window shop and take photographs. The window displays are art works in themselves even if you couldn’t imagine wearing any of the clothes and shoes even if you had the money.

The Grand Prix is on at the end of the week and the city is filling up with high end cars as well – all ready for a bit of high octane and the high pitched screaming of Formula One Racing Cars.

Judith Cullen Tours are all about understanding the region we are visiting, finding special visits and incorporating my love of food, wine and gardens.

Not only does our Hotel La Poste sit beside Lake Como and provide a stunning visit by just being on the lake, but to enjoy their magnificent breakfast is a perfect start to the day before visiting the  historical garden of Villa Carlotta in the morning, lunching in the tiny very smart town of Bellagio, enjoying a gelato and a spot of shopping in Como itself late in the afternoon and dining at one of my favourite restaurants La Baia in the evening. It is located  5 minutes from our hotel, immediately beside the water and the evening views sparkle with lights of villas across the lake reflected in the water. I never ask Alessio what we are going to eat and every year he provides a stunning menu and spoils my group of New Zealanders rotten.

Every region of Italy has exceptional foods specific to them and Como is no exception. To see this amazing risotto served in a wheel of Grana Padano was a treat. It was dished up by the waiter and he scrapes away slivers of grana cheese from inside the wheel that have warmed with the risotto.