I returned from Italy today with a mountain of laundry and three restless boys, who still want to be entertained for another two weeks!
That is not what you want to hear about probably, and not necessarily what I want to write about either, but it is true nonetheless and it is the reason why I have to divide my Milan post into two parts. This is the first, the second installment will hopefully follow soon.
Okay, first things first: Milan in August is basically closed. I knew that in theory, but didn’t think they would be serious. I mean, closing down a city for two entire weeks? Can’t be happening, can it? Yes, it can. “Chiuso per ferie”. “Chiuso per la vacanze”. I know what that means now.
Therefore sadly, many sights – and by sights I mean perfume sales venues of course – were closed. I left my card under the door of Calé Fragranze d’Autore and made photos through the windows, for instance.
But I was lucky too, and by pure change discovered a lovely, hidden treasure, an old apothecary-style profumeria, La Vecchia Milano, in a small side street, where I discovered many niche lines and some rare and discontinued fragrances. More about that next time.
My experience at La Rinascente and 10 Corso Como was very nice as well.
I realize, as my husband is breathing down my neck, that this is going to be a teaser post only today, a real “sniffage” report will have to come in part two.
One thing though, I came home with one new bottle of perfume, and it is one I did not plan for at all. We know how that goes… 😉
Olfactoria's Travels 
Yes, Italians do take their summer vacations very seriously, bless their hearts! I wish Americans would slow down a little sometimes, our cities never close for anything! Bit tiring after a while….
Americans are the other extreme. I think we have a found a healthy middle ground here, as you know from your time in Germany.
Yes, you have a good middle ground there, we get on our soapbox all the time here about how we need to adopt your work model!
Welcome back! The buildings in the first photo are so beautiful. I’m sorry you couldn’t visit everything you wanted! The closed *street* is surprising…!
It was better like this, with the boys in tow it wouldn’t have been so easy anyway, they got more time in the parks. 🙂
La Vecchia Milano sounds like a store I would enjoy visiting. Glad you found it since almost everything was closed when you visited Milan!
Will write more about La Vecchia Milano soon. A beautiful store!
ooh- I can’t wait for part 2 (that picture of the perfume shop is enticing!)
I’ll do my best to make it soon! 🙂
Welcome back! Will look forward to hearing part II and what perfume you bought. Despite the Milan shops being closed, I hope you still had a wonderful time. Any memorable meals? (Or is fine dining sort of difficult with kids in tow?)
Hi Suz, a few perfume stores have been open, so it was not a total loss, but next time I’ll be going in winter. 😉 Fine dining with small kids is a contradiction of sorts, but Italians are very nice to kids, they love them and it shows. But no matter how good the food, it is a bit hard to enjoy it while trying to keep quiet, entertain and feed the little mob. 🙂
I spent a lot of time in Italy with Italian friends when my boys were little, and am forever grateful for their graciousness, my boys were not always perfectly behaved….
Glad to hear that, neither are mine! 😉
Cannot wait to hear about that treasure trove of rare and discontnued perfumes – a perfumista’s dream come true, surely! Or that mystery unexpected bottle purchase. I’ve been interested in that eponymous 10 Corso Como scent for a while too. Roll on part 2!
I’m currently sitting in Niki’s room tapping away on my iPhone, answering comments and emails while I wait for him to finally fall asleep (he raises hell, if I leave before he sleeps) and I’m chomping at the bit to get going with Part 2. 😉
Yay!
oooh I am captivated! I’m excited to learn more about your adventures, and find out what bottle you brought home!
Look out for Part two on Saturday! 🙂
Welcome back!
Do you need a vacation now to recuperate from your vacation?
Oh yes, please! 🙂
Ah Bella, grazie mille. L’antipasto. Look forward to Il primo, Il second,a little Il contorno and of course Il dolce.
Haha, right. The main course will follow tomorrow, Saturday. Buon appetito! 🙂
I know just what you mean about things being closed – I haven’t been on holiday to Italy for years but it was a standing joke in our party too that everything was likely to be chiuso, and your photo captures this phenomenon perfectly! Look forward to a fuller sniffage report in due course.
They take their vacation time seriously indeed… 🙂