My Milan in photos.

Self portrait (for my Champagne friend)

Touring the mansion that was used in the film"I am Love"

Angel from the Duomo di Milano.

Street art, Jesus loves Italy.

Outside a bike shop. I want the red one.

I took this photo from a pharmacy in a very upscale part of Milan.

I am proud to capture this moment on my camera. A glimmer of hope and light for my future adventure.

I love this shot. I now understand why my nephew starts to cry when he is around his Uncle.

Where to stay, what to eat, what to drink in Milan.

The capital of Lombardy is Milan, which is a cosmopolitan city (città) located in the North of Italy. If I could compare Milan to any city in the U.S. I would say it is similar to New York. The cost of living is much higher than most parts of Italy. It generates wealth from the fashion industry, design, and financial institutions.

Where we are staying - Cocoon, a wonderful B&B in the Zona Tortona (a bohemian neighborhood where designers, architects, and artists reside.) www.cocoonbb.com

The owner, Mia is warm and extremely hospitable and manages to make us feel at home.

Where we are eating - at Anema E Cozze, I ordered a pizza with frutte di mare (fruit of the sea). Clams, mussels, octopus, and langoustine over a fresh tomato sauce and a perfectly cooked dough.

What we are drinking - We enjoyed a bottle of Sandro Fay, Valtellina Inferno, 2006 from Lombardy. Similar to Piedmont which prides itself on rich reds made from the Nebbiolo grape, Valtellina boasts reds crafted from the Chiavennasca grape (local name for Nebbiolo and from a dialect word meaning most suitable for wine) and exclusive to Valtellina. It smelled and tasted like strawberry jam, raspberries, earth, (fresh turned soil) and wildflowers.