The Insider guide to Milan
Why a spa with a thunderstorm room should be on your to-do-list
Gary Piazzon
August 02, 2023
Good morning. A few weeks ago I reached out to understand if you’d find value in us producing a regular newsletter with travel tips and insights. The overwhelming response was “yes”, with requests to share tips and knowledge on things to do and places to stay. We’ll be looking beyond the typical tourist attractions of each location to help you plan the most memorable trips, squeezing the most out of each visit.
Up first, the fashion capital of the world… Milan!
Need to know…
✈️ Flight time: 2hrs
⏰ Time difference: +1hr
🔌 Travel adapter: EU Standard Type C
💷 Currency: Euro
🌡️ Weather: Today a high of 29°c
💬 Key phrases:
Ciao (Hi/Bye)
Grazie (Thank you)
Si (Yes)
Vorrei uno spritz, per favore (I’d like an Aperol Spritz please)
Fa molto caldo (It’s very hot)
What to do?
⛈️ The spa with an indoor thunderstorm!
Porter Travel @ QC Termemilano
🛁 If you’re after something different to do during a trip to Milan, then look no further than QC Termemilano. Probably the most incredible spa facility we’ve ever visited, the QC Termemilano has everything (and we mean that). Enjoy soothing relaxation rooms, bathe in the surroundings of the ancient Spanish walls, de-stress in one of the many steam rooms or saunas, or immerse yourself in an indoor thunderstorm. Admission includes a robe, towel, slippers, and most importantly an aperitif - a small selection of olives, meat, cheese, breads and of course a drink (with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available).
🍆 Have you got a sweet tooth (and a dirty mind…)? Self-styled as a “Sexy Pasticceria” (that’s a pastry/cake shop to you and I), Mr Dick is the naughtiest cake shop you’ve ever visited. With penis and vagina shaped waffles, cupcakes and cakes, indulge your inner devil with some naughty desserts.
🍹 Set within Navigli (the canal region of Milan) is the self proclaimed, smallest bar in the world - Backdoor 43. Hidden behind an unassuming door, this tiny bar can hold a maximum of 4 people (although that might be a bit of squeeze!). During your hour slot, your personal mixologist will create any manner of drinks for you (including making some new cocktails up on the spot). If you’re a whiskey fan, then you’re in for a treat, with a huge array of over 60 premium bottles adorning the walls.
🍇 If you're planning on seeing the Last Supper whilst in Milan, make sure you book tickets months in advance. We unfortunately missed out on access by about 4 months 🤦, but we did discover a rather unexpected gem just across the road. As thanks for painting the Last Supper, Duke Sforza (ruler of Milan at the time), gifted Leonarda Da Vinci a small plot of land for a vineyard. Accessed through a beautiful renaissance style building, the vineyard has been lovingly restored providing for a beautiful surprise in the heart of Milan.
🚋 Finally, we highly recommend enjoying dinner on the move (I mean what better way to see Milan, than whilst enjoying an amazing bowl of Pasta!). The Tram Ristorante ATMosfera are two classic Milanese trams, lovingly converted into beautiful restaurants, taking you to some of the most picturesque spots in the city whilst you dine.
Where to stay?
Authentic, rustic Italian with a courtyard
Antica Locanda Leonardo Milan
One of our favourite places to stay in Milan is the Antica Locanda Leonardo. This beautiful 3 star hotel, feels more like staying with a relative than staying in a hotel. Set inside the quiet courtyard of a 19th-century building, this family run hotel is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The rooms feature beautiful rustic furniture, but the real winner of this hotel is the staff - oh and a pretty great breakfast spread too!
Set within another beautiful building, Palazzo Segreti is a stylish boutique hotel, situated just a short 7 minute walk from the Duomo (perfect if you’ve never seen that before). The rooms are all individually decorated, combining raw materials like exposed brick or the beautiful wood floors, with vibrant colours and stylish design pieces. The small trendy bar is the perfect place to enjoy an evening Aperol Spritz!
Finally, the Senato Hotel Milano screams “Italian chic”. Marble floors pair well with brass lamps, stylish furniture and a monochrome colour palette. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, there’s a small rooftop terrace with sunbeds, as well as an interior courtyard and a small patio linked to the café. One of our favourite features is the pillow menu, allowing you to select the perfect option for a great night sleep!
Next week…
The compact, friendly capital of Wales
Jonny Gios/Unsplash
Next week we’ll be diving into the home city of Porter - Cardiff.
We really want to be able to leverage the incredible travel knowledge from the thousands of subscribers that make up our Porter community. Therefore, if you’ve ever visited Cardiff, let us know the things you loved doing, or the places you stayed at. If we love your recommendations we’ll feature them in next weeks newsletter.