Envie de partir...

Sun is shining and it's making me feel so happy. And by some reason, this summery feeling is making me want to leave as well. Travel, discover, re-discover, see. 

So here's some places I'd love to go (or rather, come back) right now and some cool things not to be missed. 

1. Frederiksberg Have park in Copenhagen.

I've been to few parks in my life and also in Copenhagen, but this one will take your breath away. 

It's one of the most romantic and quiet parks, even though probably  it's gonna be crowded as all others in the summer(the pics were taken in April)

Anyway, it's really worth a visit. Frederiksberg park was the royal garden for the summer residence and it was renovated in 1800. It's really magic and you can also take a boat and go in the little lakes and rivers that surround the Chinese-like bridges. Something different but really pleasant to see, least to say. Not to mention the wonderfu flowers and big birds (I had never seen something similar in my whole life, there was also a men feeding them like pets!)

2. Ostuni, Puglia (Southern Italy) 

Ostuni is a cute almost-entirely white village in my dad's region, Puglia. Its peculiarity is the whiteness that captures all your senses...because  of the white lime which the old town was once totally painted with. If you go around the 15th of August be sure to enjoy some traditional outdoor celebrations with some typical (amazing) local food. 

3. Morro Bay, California 

This place stole my heart. My friend and I were travelling from San Francisco to Newport Beach and we randomly decided to stop here before driving the rest of the trip. We arrived there at sunset and, oh yes, that was the most amazing sunset I've ever seen! Sky was literally on fire, wind was blowing, it was so silent, nobody was there... Such a good feeling.  

We booked a little room in this nice hotel and we were surprised by the exaggerated niceness of the owner, who made us a free super-good breakfast. Absolutely not to miss if you're travelling around California!

So ready to go? Have a wonderful day!

The fab 4 - Week 1

Well, well... this is week one and this is my weekly inspiration.

1. First place couldn't have not been coffee. Of course. I'm Italian, I don't love coffee.. I adore it. I actually love also American long black coffee. But nothing compares to my mum's original perfect Espresso! ( which keeps you awake all night....;) 

Perfect with a French crispy and buttery croissant... ok we're ready to start the day.

2. Summer is stepping in; flowers, green, sun everywhere. Eventually. I am a big fun of flowers and I found this pic of a vertical garden.. pretty interesting. I think it's something fun and beautiful that stands out from the usual gardens we have. 

3. How cute does that necklace look? Classy, simple, fashionable.. but what's even better, you can do it!! Here's the link! 

4. I can't stop looking at the work of this talented interior design photographer, Petra Bindel. It's so inspiring... Take a look and you will feel so inspired that you'll feel like changing your whole house. 

Fiori Chiari

I have been to this little but wonderful new place some days ago, Fiori Chiari Plates, which opened last April. It is situated in Brera, amazing area in Milan: artsy, cool, hip but yet sophisticated. I cannot say Fiori Chiari Plates is totally a restaurant... I'd say, half restaurant, half brasserie. We were a bunch of people and we had booked a table in a cute room, separated from the rest of the place, which unfortunately was already occupied when we stepped into the restaurant. However, the staff was amazing and they made us seat at our cozy table in less than 5 minutes. + 10 points!

The atmosphere is nice, cozy, relaxed but classy; I especially appreciated the candles lit everywhere, the white Nordic furniture and the mint plants on the tables.

On the food note: the menu has few but really good dishes. Some starters, mainly affettati (ham, salami...) with gnocco fritto (a sort of small fried bread to be eaten with affettati, typical dish from the region Emilia) and selection of cheese – fresh or matured – (you absolutely have to try them and share with your friends). You can also have a primo, some pasta or risotto. We chose a salad with aubergine meatballs and grana cheese and some smoked chicken with avocado. No matter the plate, Fiori Chiari Plates prepare them so carefully and beautifully. I was almost forgetting to talk about the wine... good wine! We had a Nero D'Avola that of course ended after the first course so we had another one as well.

Good-quality food, really fair prices, nice atmosphere, nothing too serious but absolutely not second-rate or hackneyed as many places in Brera either An enjoyable new-entry in the restaurant scenario!

We ended up walking through the nice tiny streets, having an ice-cream cone at Amorino (quite expensive, 2,50 Euros for a small cone, but totally worth it!) and eventually a home-made beer strolling around my fav place ever, Navigli. 

This city can be really magic sometimes and a laugh with the best people can make it even prettier.

Our super-cute table

Salad with aubergine meat-balls

Smoked chicken

How can't you not love it?