SN Postcard: Italy with Team SN

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ICYMI: Team SN went to Italy!

Our Production and Design teams spent a few days in Florence and Milan eating, shopping, exploring... and working, of course! And we've wrapped up a few of their favorites into the ultimate Italy guide. Whether you're looking to sip a glass of wine at a vineyard in Tuscany or shop around the fashion capital of the world, there is nothing quite like summertime in Italy. Keep scrolling for the SN Guide to Florence and Milan!

Sleep.

Florence

The Westin Excelsior, Florence, sits in the center of Florentine culture with stunning views of the Arno. Browse boutiques along the Ponte Vecchio, have an espresso at a local café, or take in the sweeping views of the city at their glass rooftop bar and restaurant!

Hotel Lungarno boasts 65 luxury rooms and suites, many with beautiful terraces overlooking Renaissance masterpieces, and is within walking distance of the city's most renowned boutiques.

NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa. Located in the center of Florence, this charming hotel is thought to be the oldest hotel in Italy and is just steps away from iconic sights like Ponte Vecchio, the beautiful Piazza della Signoria, and the luxury boutiques of Via dei Tornabuoni.

Milan

Excelsior Hotel Gallia. Right next to the train station, this hotel celebrates the city’s show-stopping design ethic, incorporating handcrafted and modern elements by local ateliers.

The Westin Palace Milan sits within the Porta Nuova district and is a modern sanctuary that reflects the flourishing and dynamic evolution of the city! It's the perfect combination of the hotel's classical architecture with pared-back Milanese 21st-century design.

Eat.

Florence

  • 13 Gobbi for homemade rigatoni and a bottle of the vino just a few minutes from Piazza Santa Maria Novella

  • La Giostra for authentic flavors under brick arches of the 16th century and the stained-glass walls

  • Caffè Gilli for coffee with classic desserts like biscotti & tiramisu

  • Trattoria Cammillo for a cozy white-tablecloth venue and homestyle pasta (try the Saffron Risotto—an American soldier gave the recipe to the chef after WW2!)

  • All'Antico Vinaio for the most incredible sandwiches

  • La Carraia for the best gelato made with all fresh ingredients

Milan

  • Chinese in Milan is a must! Dim Sum and Ta Hua are two of Team SN's favorites

  • Langosteria for amazing, authentic seafood

  • Le petit bistro for great Italian food in a convenient location

  • Bianco Latte for delicious pastries and gelato

  • Terrazza Gallia for a glamourous rooftop drink with a unique view of Milan

  • Le Specialita for a local neighborhood pizza place

Do.

Florence

  • Visit the Boboli Gardens at Pitti Palace.

  • Check out Uffizi Galleria, which boasts an invaluable collection of ancient statues and busts from the Medici family.

  • Spend a day vineyard hopping in Tuscany.

  • Take a day trip to Forte Dei Marmi, a Tuscan town overlooking the Mediterranean sea known for high fashion boutiques, Michelin Star restaurants, and exclusive beach clubs.

  • Luisa Via Roma, located in the heart of Florence, has been a benchmark and international institution in the luxury goods market since 1930. The store and website luisaviaroma.com, offer a world preview of the best designers and up-and-coming fashion names.

  • Santa Maria Novella. The oldest apothecary in the world was founded by monks using rose water for treatments in 1212.

  • Gucci Garden. The House debuts the Gucci Garden inside the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia, which housed the Gucci Museo.

Milan

  • Check out the Last Supper painting in Milan Museum.

  • Visit the Duomo Di Milano, the cathedral church of Milan, Lombardy, Italy.

  • Window shop on Via Monte Napoleone, an upscale shopping street in Milan, Italy, and Europe's third most expensive street.

  • Check out the Navigli neighborhood. Home to the last of Milan’s arterial waterways, this romantic canal district has plenty of history, style, and charm and is filled with bars, gourmet restaurants, and riverside boutiques.

Pack.

Here's what you'll need:

Travel Tip: pack a Covid test and make your appointment online for a virtual test pre returning home!