Welcome to Hotel Raffello, Such a lovely place...

So I'm back from a fashionable weekend in Milan and Lake Como. This weekend was absolute heaven. My friends and I decided last minute to head up to Milan for the weekend, with a day trip to the lake, and scrambled to find accomodations. Thank GOD for expedia because we scored an awesome deal for a family room at a 4 star hotel for just 83 euros a person for the entire weekend. The hotel was a bit far out, but it was so fabulous. All 5 of us had our own bed, the room was 2 different rooms, we had a HUGE bathroom with a shower spa, and even had our own private patio. High roller status. It was such a pleasant suprise to run into after a long commuter train to Milan!

We spent all of Friday exploring the fashionable Milan. We lazily spent the morning getting up, eating breakfast (which was included... and actually fabulous! scoreeee), and making our way into town. At around 11:30 we were in downtown and ready to explore. We decided to climb the steps to the roof of the duomo, which provided us a fabulous view of Duomo Square and the surrounding city. The Duomo is breathtaking as well, but not in the same way Florence's is. It is so much more city-esque, just like Milan. It was beautiful. After that we had a little time to kill so we walked through the square which was having a basketball exhibition...(I was looking for Lamar Odom and Khloe but no such luck). We found Zara and H&M... and even a store that sells American Magazines. Needless to say we picked up Cosmo and US Weekly... heaven!

Oddly enough, my friend Sean's mom has a friend in Milan and she offered to show us a bit of the city. It is always sooo nice to have a connection to show us the city. She brought us to this little hidden church you would have never known. It was beautiful and painted in such a way as to seem longer than it really is. We then went to the Palace and saw some of Michaelangelo's work. Beautiful!

We then shopped... heaven. My entire wardrobe will be from H&M by the end of the semester... Afterwards we went to fashion row... my choice. I was in heaven. It was literally Dolce and Gabbana, Prada, Louis, Hermes... everywhere you looked. I can't wait to go back for fashion week... celeb sightings I hope!

The next day was Lake day. We took the train to Como and walked around for a bit. The lake is absolutely gorgeous! It was such a nice breather to be back around nature. I love the city, but everyonce and a while some nature does a person good. I felt so relaxed the entire day. After the morning in Como we took a ferry to Bellagio, which is said to be the richest part of the lake. The city is literally on a hill and has cute restaurants and shops. We had some of the best pizza there. It was yummo as Rachael Ray would say. The next stop was Varenna. There was a nice little path along the water which was calming and peaceful. Gelato at the top of the hill was such a pleasent surprise. It was amazing and totally homemade. Yummo once again. We got to sit on this nice little patio next to the water as we waited for our train. The patio was surrounded by flags, including the one from good old USA. It was just totally peaceful. I fell in love. I guess when you all summer in Chelan.. I'll be in Como.

CIIIIAO CIAOOO
Ps. I totes magotes saw George's Villa... heaven! No sighting though.. a girl can hope.

Music Guide: "Hotel California" by the Eagles