I went to Milan for four days during my CNY break. The city hosts some seriously polished specimen – men and women alike are all streetstyle-perfect – and the city itself is made for strolls filled with happi interruptions of gelato/espresso/panzerotti/pizza breaks. Anyway, I decided to make this post a little different and include some maybe-slightly useful tips for places to check out if you’re going for the first time.

PLACES I WENT TO IN MILAN THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO GO TO AS WELL BUT ONLY IF YOU WANT TO.

1. NOTTINGHAM FORREST
For those who like cocktails with an adventure.

We went right after dinner and there was a long waiting list to be seated. Living in Beijing has put me off queues 4ever, but there it was a good sign I guess. COVET THE COVETED YA KNOW. Drinks are amazing and a fun experience. Christine got this Dexter drink which provided you with gloves and red juice that looked like blood and everything. I got the Garden Zen which glittered gold and tasted like cherry blossoms. Definitely one of the most creative bars I’ve ever been to.
Viale Piave, 1, 20129 Milano

2. ARMANI PRIVE
For those who like to partyparty in style.

A part of the Armani Hotel – good vibes, all black and red neon lights, fashiony type crowd. Very fancy schmancy. We went on a weekday and it was extremely busy, no entry fee, but you really have to dress the part. Heels and whatnot. Amazing DJ, good tunes. Funky times on the dance floor.
Via Pisoni 1, Milano

3. PALAZZO DUOMO
For those who appreciate gothic architecture and aren’t afraid of heights.

Ok I know this is kind of a no brainer, but seriously GET TO THE TOP. The view of this 5th largest church in the world is amazeballs. I went with my two architect friends so there was a lot of ‘OOH’-ing over the gothic pinnacles and spires (yeah I Wikipedia-ed that). We were lazybums so took the elevator to the top – but really, the stairs are just 250 steps. So good glute workout on the go if you’re down for that.4. GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE II
For those who like luxury stores.

This is right next to the Palazzo Duomo so you won’t miss it. Very instagramable area. It’s known as il salotto di Milano (Milan’s living room) and connects the Duomo with the Piazza Della Scalla. You’ll find the flagship stores of Louis Vuitton and Prada. Don’t go to the restaurants in this zone: rip off meh food. HOWEVER, if you want to grab a nice dinner closeby, I recommend…

5. GIACOMO ARENGARIO RISTORANTE
For those who like food. Good food.

Tasty pasta for a longer and relaxing dinner, plus their bar does the classics real good.

6.ARMANI BAMBOO BAR
For those who don’t mind uncomfy couches.

Another stop to make if you’re a fan of the Armani concept. Really posh interiors and uncomfortable sofas, BUT pretty good cocktails and the vibe isn’t that loud or smokey so it’s perfect for a chill night of cocktails.

7.CIOCCOLATI ITALIANI
For those happy gluttons who LOVE gelato.

Best. Gelato. Ever. Like actually – this place is known to have the best in Milan. There was a huge waiting line – you have to order, pay, get a ticket, and then wait around until your number gets called – but the hanging around is totally worth it.
Via Edmondo de Amicis, 25, 20123 Milano8. LUINI PANZEROTTI
For those who like all tings oily and fried.

This is a famous joint serving a Milanese specialty that literally every site I checked out recommended. This takeaway bakery place is just behind the Duomo and has been on the scene since 1888. Get the panzerotti, basically an inverted pizza with mozarella and salami inside, fried or not, you can pick. Warning: very VERY filling and the cheese might get to you…
Via Santa Radegonda, 16 20121 Milano

So that’s my first ever tour-guide-esque post! When I was writing this list, I realized I have like no shots of the interior and details of the stuff we ate/drank/did, so that’s definitely on my to-shoot list for future travel diaries…Anyway hope you enjoy :’)

Nick and I arrived a bit too late to AOTU Studio‘s Christmas party, so the space was almost devoid of both people and mulled wine *sad emoji*. But we decided to explore and ventured upstairs to where the hairy activities of the collaborative hair salon take place.

Hawt clean minimalism featuring just wood, glass and the lonely cactus here and there. The salon space was elegant, clean and consistent in styling. I loved it. Founder of the studio, Ray Wu, was also there and chatted to us about how the two-week space is not yet finished, and his potential plans for making practical use of the open rooftop space come spring. Rooftop haircut? I’m down for that.

AOTU STUDIO
Beixinqiao Toutiao 67 Beijing

Beijing holds a special place for me. While I never lived here until this September, it’s where my family is from and it’s where I feel more at home than anywhere else in the world. For this reason, I find discovering special places extremely gratifying. The Waldorf Astoria Hotel Beijing has been one of my favorite finds so far.

As an introverted art-lover and no-colour-wearer, I felt immediately at home. Upon entering, I felt removed from the bustling Wangfujing pedestrian shopping street nearby. The last time I felt like I was in a special place was back in Vienna.

Waldorf Astoria also offers a private Hutong Courtyard, linked to the main hotel building by an underground passage. This is a more luxurious and elegant option for travellers looking for a more personal and exclusive experience of Beijing.

The hotel features meticulously curated artwork by both Chinese and international contemporary artists, showcasing Beijing’s cultural identity, juxtaposed with contemporary gestures to its modern sophistication.

My favourite piece is ‘Palace Servant’ by Ling Jian, a large-scale oil painting 300cm in diameter.

The Waldorf Astoria Beijing is not Louis Vuitton – it’s Maison Martin Margiela. The space holds itself with calm grandeur and contemporary elegance that I hope transcends from its walls and into the rest of the city.

Days in NYC just walking around and finding oddities in fast food chain interiors and discussing the status of the city as ‘the place to be’ and chasing after natural light filters. With a bag of outfits and #goodvibez Aimee and I had a long adventurous day where we walked across Brooklyn Bridge and ended up in the west end at a granny’s living room blasting hip hop music. Friends met over the internet can become life-long. We’ve already planned our sassy retirement together in the cafes of Paris.

Photographed by Aimee Han