Milan’s famous Brera Academy (the Accademia di Brera) will be moving to a new location. A new campus of the performing arts academy will be established in the restored police stations of Magenta and Carroccio on Milan’s via Mascheroni. The historic Brera location will then be entirely occupied by the Pinacoteca which will undergo an expansion.

Milan’s mayor, Letizia Moratti, has approved the works along with an interesting mix of ministerial colleagues from the arts, education and even the military. The opening of the new Accademia and the Pinacoteca is planned for the 2015 Milan Expo. According to reports, the students are content with the plans, gaining more space and new facilities, although some nostalgia will occur in moving from Milan’s elegant old town, making way for more tourists and offices.

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The Velasca tower built in the city centre of Milan in the 1950s was part of the first generation of Italian modern architectural designs. Often used as a location for many Italian movies, the tower has just been put up for sale. With its height of 100 metres, the Torre Velasca, one of Milan’s most famous (and sometimes hated) landmarks, could become a worthwhile investment since every year it brings in more than €3000,000, however don’t forget, that apart from striking a good bargain you would also be buying a piece of Italian history! Something to shout about – maybe from the top of the tower!

Photo | Flickr

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There are two destinations for summer in Italy: either the seaside or the mountains, with the latter generally being chosen by anyone over the age of 50. Escaping the oppressive heat of Milan, many oldies go to the Valtellina valley which stretches north of Lake Como for some fresh mountain air and wonderful views.

If you want to explore the valley, be sure not to miss the spa and thermal springs at Bormio. Bormio is a skiing location, on more than one occasion hosting the European championships, and is full of hotels, boutique shops and mountain landscape. The spas or “Bagni di Bormio” are located just outside of town and include both ‘old’ and ‘new’ baths.

The old baths are ancient grottos which provide the natural warm springs for a very rustic, almost prehistoric, sauna and bath. The new baths have been built with new spas, saunas, fountains and pools and outside you can enjoy a warm splash while taking in the surrounding mountains.

The spa is situated in a grand old hotel and to pamper yourself in August for four nights with bed and breakfast at the Hotel Bagni Vecchi costs about 448 euros a head. It gives you unlimited access to spa and health centre and a ten percent discount on any beauty or massage treatments you might like to indulge in. See the Bagni di Bormio site for more details.

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If you are in Milan and looking for a good pizzeria, this post could help you find out which restaurants serve the best pizza near the area where you live or work. One of the best pizzerias in Milan is Il Pomodorino in Via Crema just behind Porta Romana; the place not only serves an exquisite Napolitan pizza but also offers delicious starters such as bread stuffed with aubergine . Two other good pizzerias can be found in corso Lodi, one called Romano specialising in Egyptian pizza and the other Monterosso selling Italian pizza by the slice (it has a thick, soft crust! Really delicious). Prices vary from 7,50 to 12, 50 euros.

Continue reading: Where to eat the best pizza in Milan

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Looking for a posh restaurant in Milan? If so you don’t need to go any further in your research! The restaurant Acanto in Piazza della Repubblica 17 is one of the most fashionable dining spots in Milan; in the old days it was quite easy to bump into Gianni Agnelli and his wife sitting at David Rockefeller’s dinner table or overhear a conversation between Princess Grace of Monaco and Rudolph Nureyev. In short the place was - but still is - the haunt of the rich and famous! Being part of the Principe di Savoia hotel, the restaurant has always attracted the attention of a wealthy clientele. Today the Acanto offers exquisite modern cuisine in stylish surroundings, with a menu which includes delicious dishes such as crudité with shrimps, pane carasau and carpaccio with figs. It goes without saying that to eat there will cost you a small fortune!

Acanto restaurant
piazza della Repubblica 17
phone number: 0262301

Acanto: il ristorante del Principe di Savoia

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Naples has been named as Italy’s cheapest city after research carried out by Italy’s Istat statistics agency. On the expensive side, Bolzano sits at the top, followed by Bologna and Milan as Italy’s most expensive cities. The results are based on the cost of various food and goods, and have also been divided into categories.

If you’re interested to know, the cheapest city for clothes shopping in Italy is Campobasso, while the most expensive is Trieste, although the range is quite close. In terms of housing and household expenses, Rome sits at the top, costing 12.8 percent more than the average. Health costs are more expensive in Ancona and Milan than anywhere else.

Generally speaking, the statistics won’t tell the Italians anything they don’t know already - it’s more expensive to live in the north and the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige, while expensive, is also rich and a reality a part from the rest of the country. And anyone who’s slogging it out working and paying rent in Bologna, Milan and Rome…. good luck!

Source | Corriere della Sera

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Talking about George Clooney in court in Italy, another case has just been resolved that indirectly involved one of the world’s most famous rock stars, Bruce Springsteen. Last year, “The Boss” was in concert at Milan’s San Siro stadium and the Italian promoter of the event, Claudio Trotta, allowed for a 22-minute encore that went over Milan’s laws of noise at night.

After 46 residents filed complaints against the concert going over time, Claudio Trotta found himself in court. He was absolved of the crime by a court last week, though, and can walk away relieved, but knowing that the relationship between musical events of this kind, residents and authorities is a precarious one. In fact, the incident has had the virtually immediate effect of limiting concerts at San Siro. In the video above, you can see part of the 22-minute encore.

Source | 02blog.it

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Expect there to be a free-for-all of George Clooney fans in Milan on July 16 as the American actor and adopted Italian celebrity appears in court. The Palazzo di Giustizia in Milan will host one of its more famous court appearances as Clooney testifies in a case involving three people accused of selling false merchandise and receiving stolen goods.

Specifically, the case involves black market production of clothing which featured George Clooney’s name, without his permission. The selling of a brand which doesn’t exist, or the sale of false brand copies, is against Italy’s strict contraband laws. According to reports, the hearing will be an open court hearing, but we’re yet to be convinced.

Source | Gossipblog.it

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The Giorgio Armani classics were all there; from pleated trousers to double-breasted jackets many of which came in grey and blue hues. As always with Giorgio Armani the main focus of the collection was on emphasising the figure and its natural elegance. Here’s the gallery!

Milan men’s fashion week spring-summer 2011: Giorgio Armani

Continue reading: Milan men's fashion week spring-summer 2011: Giorgio Armani

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For next spring D&G has delivered a rather relaxed collection made up of green sweaters, gingham shirts, preppy blazers and whitish shorts; life for the D&G man is an endless picnic on the grass! Take a look at our gallery!

Milan men’s fashion week spring-summer 2011: D

Continue reading: Milan men's fashion week spring summer 2011: D&G

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