I am always surprised when I hear people say that they want to wait to have kids so they can travel. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive!

Traveling with kids is a different experience from traveling on your own, but I really enjoy introducing my daughters to new places, languages and cultures, and see them point at landmarks and watch the new landscape with wide eyes.

Here are a few tips that might be helpful if you are considering traveling more with your kids.

1. Book your flights and hotel in advance, whenever possible. You generally get better rates and a better selection when booking well in advance, and when traveling with little ones it will allow you to organize things like a front row seat and bassinet for the plane or a portable crib at the hotel, which means you will travel with less stuff, less worry and more comfort.

2. Do a little homework. Find out a few things about the area(s) you are planning to visit. Go on Yelp to find restaurants that fit your budget and tastes; visit the city’s website to find out more about specific attractions. Some museums and attractions offer tours tailored to specific age brackets, but sometimes they need to be booked in advance. Finding something that keep the kids interested will pay off!

Stella and Sarah both loved our tour of the Tower Bridge in London, where they not only got to see how the bridge works and how it was built, but also got a little booklet they could fill in with stickers they had to get at different stations in each of the two towers. It was fun, kept them interested and they actually learned something. And I enjoyed my visit too, because I didn’t have to rush my way through.

3. If you are a schedule person, be flexible. If you like to plan your itinerary to get the most out of your visit, make sure you leave some time for random stuff – browsing a cute shop or stopping at a lovely bakery, or taking a longer route through a park so the kids can run around a little without you holding their hands, instead of taking the shortest route.

Consider it’s always possible that it might take you longer to do what you planned. In that case, it’s good to have a shorter version of your itinerary, so you can hit the main spots without stressing everyone out. Your kids will enjoy the visit a lot more if they also have a chance to take their own time looking around and getting acquainted with the place. That’s not a waste of time, it’s how children acquire a passion for travel!

For older kids, you might also consider getting them excited about your destination by giving them their own little guide book a couple of weeks in advance.

4. If you are a “whatever” person, do a little bit of planning. Getting “lost” in a new city, walking around without looking at the map and exploring randomly and spontaneously are some of the great joys of travel. But if you have little people with you, it’s good to be a little prepared. So if you don’t want to check the restaurants because you don’t know what area you’ll be in by the time noon comes around, then make sure to keep some nutritious snacks handy: Fresh fruit, a bag of nuts, some  organic turkey jerky, whole-grain crackers will keep little tummies from rumbling while you find your way to a good lunch spot. (By the same token, hydration keeps headaches away and energy up, so keep water handy as well!) If you have little ones, make sure you bring baby food with you. And it’s always best to dress in layers and bring a cover-up along even when it’s sunny, so you don’t have to rush back to the hotel if the temperature drops or you stay out later than planned.

5. Prevent boredom. Boredom increases the chances of whining and mischief, and it makes the travel time seem incredibly loooong. Bring along a few things to keep the kids (and yourself!) entertained. Skip the portable DVD player; pack portable games, coloring books, stickers and maybe a magazines or a favorite book, instead. Car games and audio books are great for road trips; music can be very soothing, so consider loading your iPod with a few of your kids favorite tunes, get some small earbuds and get ready to share.

6. Consider travel insurance. If you want to feel a bit more prepared, consider a travel insurance policy. You can get coverage for medical expenses, accidents, loss or theft, or even cancellations. If you are nervous about traveling as a family, it might bring a bit more peace of mind.

7. Take it easy. Keeping everyone fed and hydrated and scheduling breaks – for a coffee, a snack, a walk on the beach or through a park – will help keep the spirits and energy high, so you can do and see a lot. But at some point, your tots will be ready to take a nap or call it a day. When that time comes, just let it. Try to do most of your activities (or the “musts” on your list) first thing, when everyone is fresh; don’t push too hard, and be ready to call it quits when it’s time.

Traveling with kids can actually improve your travel experience by encouraging you to slow down and really enjoy what you are doing, and focusing on a few things rather than trying to “take it all in” and doing too much running around.

Do you have any experience traveling with kids? If you have any useful tips, please share them in the comments!

And happy travels, everyone!

This post was sponsored by Allianz Global Assistance. Check out their family travel insurance here.

Ah, Berlin. My new city crush.

I was in Berlin at the end of May for The Hive, and while the weekend didn’t go quite as planned (between the flu I caught just before leaving Zurich and the fact that it rained for two days straight after I arrived in Berlin), clearly it was enough time for me to return enamored with the German capital.

So although I  still wish I could have spent at least another 24-48 hours there to explore it properly, I can tell you that if you find yourself in Berlin on your way to somewhere else, or perhaps for a conference or something of the sort… or if you get a last-minute deal, but it’s only for 2 days, and it doesn’t seem like it’s worth it… IT IS.

Berlin is still worth exploring, no matter how little time you have for it. Believe me, seeing a little of Berlin is much, much better than not seeing any of it.

1. Get a Welcome Card, right at the airport. There are a few different kinds, but if you follow the link you’ll be able to request the one you need based on the length of your stay, your interests and who your travel companions are. For instance, you can get a card for Berlin with or without the metro area, or add the option that allows you free entry in all the Museum Island museums, or include free travel/benefits for up to three children (up to 15 years old) in your own ticket.

If that sounds like an overwhelming array of options, don’t panic: a short questionnaire on the website will help you figure out what Welcome Card is best for you.

2. Book a local through Plus One Berlin.  This is such a brilliant idea, I really wish they had it everywhere. Think how awesome it would be, when visiting a new city, to have a local show your around – possibly someone who has your same interests, who can show you and tell you about exactly what you want to know. You’d get so much more out of your visit! And you’d save yourself the anguish of cluelessly staring at your map and guidebook for several hours.

Plus One Berlin allows you to do just that. You can choose a guide among several locals of both genres, various nationalities and professions, and book a local with similar passions and interests to have a tour of Berlin that’s fun and personalized.

3. Go to Museum Island. How brilliant is it to have several amazing museums in the same charming spot, in the middle of the Spree? The island is now firmly connected to land on both sides, but that doesn’t make it any less lovely or picturesque. Just cross the bridge and you’ll find yourself faced with a tough choice: hit one of the amazing museums first, or explore the Berliner Dom? People-watch and capture the lovely surroundings in the Lustgarden, or in the courtyard? Too many awesome places to explore! Ah, what a great problem to have.

4. Take a boat tour.  It recently occurred to me that all my favorite cities overlook the ocean or a lake, or have a river flowing through them. And when that’s the case, a riverboat tour can be a lovely way of experiencing a city from a different vantage point. In Berlin you have a wide choice, because the large number of rivers, canals and lakes in the city means you have lots of different options; if I had to pick one, I think that the 1 1/2-hour long tour starting in Charlottenburg and going through the city center probably gives you the most bang for your buck.

5. Prioritize. With such a rich history, Berlin has a lot to offer and there is a lot for you to see. Some sights, like the Brandenburg Gate or Gendarmermarkt, are closer to the center and might be easier for you to reach, but others might require a longer travel time. It’s virtually impossible to do it all in one visit, so make a list of the top 5 or top 10 things you absolutely want to see/do and focus on those first. A few popular choices include Schloss Charlottenburg, the Berlin Wall Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, and the beautiful palaces, parks and churches in Postdam.

And one thing not to do if you visit Berlin…

Don’t waste time at the gym. There are plenty of ways to keep fit during your visit without wasting your precious sightseeing time! In Berlin, lots of the older buildings don’t have elevators, so if you rent a place through Airbnb or something similar, you’ll likely find yourself climbing several flights of stairs at least a couple of times a day for the duration of your stay. And if all the walking you do during the day while exploring the city doesn’t seem like enough, consider taking one of the bike tours of Berlin, so you can burn calories and enjoy the sights at the same time.

Want more? Check out the best hiking trails in the Berlin area, go kayaking, or even participate in a local sport event.

Have you been to Berlin? What was your favorite sight or the best part of your trip? Please share it in the comments.

I don’t consider myself an overly fussy traveler. I don’t need 5-star hotels with spas and the works, ’cause frankly, I’d rather spend my time exploring the city. I do need the space to be clean though, and I am a tad germaphobe, which makes me wary of hostels, many motels and also quite a few hotel chains.

And yet, when the time came to travel to Berlin on my own to attend The Hive, I knew that was the perfect time to give Airbnb a try. I searched, and searched, and sorted through what felt like hundreds of options… and then I landed on a room for rent in an apartment building in Kreuzberg, which seemed like a good fit. I had already gotten two cancellations and was feeling a bit rejected (though it is entirely possible that the hosts were in fact going to be out of  town) so I was beyond excited when this host accepted my reservation and immediately sent me some info about restaurants and clubs in the area and Berlin public transportation and tourist info. Great start.

Even before I arrived she was really friendly and helpful, which was very encouraging. And then she offered to meet me at the station so we could walk to the house together… and from there on it just got better. The apartment was large, spacious and airy, with big windows and high ceilings. My room was nicely sized, with a vintage desk, a comfortable bed and a nice view of the Emmauskirche spire.

It was nice to return to an actual home in the evening, rather than a cold and impersonal hotel room. It was also nice to have someone there who was willing to share some of her natural flu remedies with me when I arrived with a cold, who had a selection of herbal tea in the kitchen and left some fresh strawberries on the table for me.

We didn’t see each other a whole lot, but staying at Kerstin’s home rather than at hotel made this trip somehow that much more comfortable. I felt a little less like a tourist, and more like a visitor.

I didn’t feel relegated to the sanitized portions of the city, and instead I felt that I somehow got a better taste of the place, without being relegated to the role of casual observer as I sometimes feel when I step out of a hotel to go exploring the city I am visiting.

It was a short but lovely stay and while I know I was probably also lucky (or picked well!) I will definitely be using Airbnb again!

One of the things I have missed the most since we moved back to Switzerland is the local blogger community in the NYC Metro area, and access to blogger events. So it’s no surprise that when I heard of The Hive, I knew I had to attend!

And so it was that last Friday evening found me on my way to Berlin, armed with directions to my Airbnb accomodation and to the Betahaus, where The Hive was to take place, starting the following morning at 9.

Unfortunately it became obvious during my flight from Zurich to Berlin that I was about to experience an unpleasant bout of flu, and that spoiled the fun somewhat, but not so much that I couldn’t enjoy my time at The Hive.

And so on Saturday morning I left the apartment bright and early, and after grabbing some breakfast on the way at Milch & Zucker, I arrived at Betahaus. What an amazing space, you guys. Clearly planned for brainstorming sessions and creative efforts.

Lovely garlands in the official Hive colors were hanging everywhere.

And near the stage there was a map of Europe, where we were encouraged to hang our business cards in our corresponding nation. (I hung mine in Switzerland.)

(I later found out that the the garlands and map were all made by Lauren of Folies du Bonheur, who is clearly a creative genius and I want to be her.)

“So many bloggers, one heart” by johannarundel

Just before beginning, I managed to meet-up with Andreea, and was lucky to enjoy her company for most of the conference. Here she is!

After an intro from Peggy and Yvonne we got started right away. The choices: “How newsletters can support your blog and business” by Tiffany, or  “How to make a kickass media kit” by Isa and Claudia of Haptstandtmutti. Guess which one we picked?

Man, but these gals are fabulous.

The next two talks we attended were a little disappointing, so we skipped a couple  of the scheduled talks after that, and chose to hang out at the café until lunch. But not before capturing a bit of the fabulous Etsy space:

The afternoon was filled with good talks.

The first: time management strategies from Luisa of The Wednesday Chef, who is really smart, charming, and my new hero. We all looked around and giggled nervously when she said “Stop checking your e-mail 300 times a day. Cut it down to two.” Clearly, I was not alone in my obsession. Thank you for the great strategies, Louisa! I’ll give them my best try!

The second was a tough pick, as three things were happening at the same time, but we picked “Blogs for a special niche and audience” by Jenni Fuchs, who is lovely, funny, charming and a little geeky, and my new girl crush. She doesn’t show off, doesn’t blow her horn, doesn’t talk about herself excessively (like many of the speakers, sigh) but don’t let her unassuming appearance fool you: the girl is pure awesome, you guys. And you should definitely take a look at her blog.

The third was by Katja of Travelettes (which I now realize has the tag “backpacking in heels” – not sure how I feel about that.) Katja talked at length about her experience in creating a successful blog, and then another successful blog, and then getting a fabulous job out of it as well. Are you green with envy yet? I know, it would be enough to hate her a little bit, except she actually shared some great pointers for travel bloggers and bloggers in general, so thank you Katja!

Then we had a barbecue dinner inside, because of the completely uncooperative weather. It was cold, really crowded and very loud, and my head cold was in full swing so I decided to head home early to get a good night’s sleep and be ready for day 2.

Which really went by incredibly quickly.

I attended three talks, my favorite being the short presentation by Alline of Aicuisine, who is gorgeous and takes gorgeous photos, and I loved that she recommended again and again to keep things simple and stop over-styling  shoots.
“Make it about the food, not about the photo. The food should jump out at the viewer and should make their mouth water. Don’t distract them from the food with unnecessary props.”
If that isn’t just about the best advice I have ever heard about styling, I don’t know what is.

But the real highlight of the day was dinner. It was supposed to be a large group, about 15 of us, but a few canceled, and after the Betahaus kicked us out, some of the others probably coulnd’t find us. I managed to meet up with Tina, Juliane, Heidi and Zsuzsi and together we headed to Drei Schwestern, a restaurant inside a beautiful old building in the middle of a park in Kreuzberg, only about 15 minutes on foot from the Betahaus.

The food was lovely, the company amazing, and I simply didn’t want the evening to end. It is so rare to have such a wonderful time with people you have just met, and yet there I was, sitting and chatting with four lovely women I had only just met hours before but I could imagine becoming close friends if given half the chance. This dinner for me was the highlight of the weekend, and I couldn’t imagine a better way of ending The Hive.

So I want to thank all my new friends, for making this such a lovely weekend!

And thank you to the speakers who created lovely presentations and shared knowledge without making it all about themselves

And thank you Yvonne and Peggy, for organizing The Hive! It wasn’t perfect, but it had a lot of heart. There are a few kinks to iron out, but it was a lovely experience and I’m sure each edition of The Hive will only get better!

I don’t consider myself extremely high-maintenance, but I do like to have options. Which is probably why I have a slight tendency to overpack, when I travel. And by “slight tendency” I mean that I usually bring enough extra clothing and accessories to open a pop-up shop.

But this time around, while planning outfits for my trip to Berlin to attend The Hive 13, something inspired me to try my hand at packing all I will need for the weekend in a small carry-on suitcase. Challenge accepted!

Naturally, being aver so slightly anal about stuff, it all had to be planned. Shoes and accessories are my downfall, so I set one rule: don’t bring anything you’ll only wear once. I modified my planned outfits so that I could reuse some accessories and shoes rather than bringing more… and I found that it was not too shabby. Elated, I proceeded to create a Polyvore packing list as a visual aid (and so that I could share it with you here).

This is the packing list I was planning to go with:

But then… the weather gods got all fussy. Rain has been our almost constant companion for several days in the row, and is likely planning to stick around for long enough to make for a wet Hive 13 weekend.

And so all the time spent looking for the perfect pair of beige boots  became utterly pointless – wearing a brand new pair of beige suede boots doesn’t seem like a good choice for a rainy day, does it? No matter that they gorgeously embellished with burnished gold studs, or that the suede is butter soft or that the heel is the perfect height to give a slight boost without making them uncomfortable or making them look like a “trying too hard, fancy-pants!” shoe. Nope. A-hem! *makes effort to get it together*

And so today I found myself planning for a different kind of packing list. I am still determined to pack light, only I have to include options for slightly chillier weather and possible rain. Here’s what that looks like

I might add a couple more bracelets and maybe a belt, but that’s about it as far as clothes go. Gotta say, this may look like a lot of stuff to you, but for me it’s definitely progress from my usual overpacking ways!

And here are the outfits I’m planning:

As you can see I kept my outfit pretty simple, and mostly revolving around dresses. A cute dress in a soft fabric and a flattering cut is, simply put, a woman’s best friend. It’s incredibly comfortable because unlike top and pants, it doesn’t tug or pull or need much adjusting at any given time. You can wear it with ballet flats or pumps in spring, or with tights, boots and a cardi in the fall – which is precisely what what made it so easy to adjust my packing list after the change in weather!

Because I kept everything so basic, I tried to add a pop of color here and there with the accessories; like that great scarf from ASOS, which I fell in love with as soon as I saw it!

So there. The rest is pretty simple, as I plan to apply the same rationale to makeup and toiletries.

Berlin, here I come!

There have been a lot of changes in Zurich since I first moved here in 1999, pregnant with my now-thirteen years old daughter Sarah: Zurich is more open and more fun to live in, and decidedly more expat-friendly; there are events, blogs, and even a magazine  geared towards expats and Zurich’s international community, and altogether definitely more resources than I could have imagined just a few years ago.

One of these events is coming up, and it is geared specifically towards women: I am talking of course about the Women’s Expo.

It is no mystery that women are considered the world’s most powerful consumers, representing up to 85% of consumer spending; and lest someone be tempted to say “it’s all those bags and shoes”, let’s not forget that wives and mothers are, more often than not, the ones making purchasing decisions for an entire household – purchases that go from groceries to birthday gifts for kids and adults alike, from wardrobe items for all members of the family to all that goes into socializing and entertaining , and anything in between!

It is no surprise then, than more and more merchants try to appeal to the ladies of the household. Unfortunately not all merchants have the budget or the chance to do that on a regular basis. Until now, that is.

Lisa Mundembe-Chuma, creator of Inspirational Woman magazine and member of the Executive Committee of the Professional Women’s Group of Zurich, has organized an event that combines supporting local women-owned businesses with networking, information and shopping opportunities.

Let’s hear from Lisa herself:

Why the Women’s Expo?

I realized that more and more women in Switzerland are starting businesses. An event for women to connect, promote collaboration, showcase & promote their businesses and build new relationships made sense. So the Women’s Expo was born.

I wanted to create an environment where women in business throughout Switzerland come together to meet each other and also meet face to face with the public to promote & showcase their businesses as well as build new relationships amongst themselves and the public; an environment where the public of Switzerland has the opportunity to know and learn more about different products or services from their owners, ask questions and get responses, try new products and give feedback, discover new and exciting products & services, connect with new people and have fun.

What can visitors expect?

The day is going to be full of action, from shopping opportunities all the way to free flowing networking. It will also include health scans, massages, makeovers, product testing, art displays… all attendees will also be eligible for entry in special giveaways and will receive special discounts, and there will be free face painting for the kids. 

Do you have any tips for women who would like to start their own business, but are at a loss as to where to begin?

I would want to encourage women who are thinking of starting their own businesses to connect with other women currently in business and ask them questions so you can see, and most importantly learn, how others are doing it. I would also encourage them to start from where they are right now and grow from there. There is nothing like the perfect time.

It is also very important to have a clear vision of what you want to do and to know exactly what you are trying not to do, clarity is key in business. Have two or three trusted people that believe in your idea and accountability buddies because they will help you to keep your goals. I would also encourage them to come to the women’s expo and connect with the exhibitors, I believe the environment will be very inspiring.

The Woman’s Expo will take place on May 26, 2013 at the Kongresshaus Zürich, starting at 10 am.
Entry is free.

I’m almost afraid to say it for fear of jinxing it, but… IT’S SPRING! YAY!

I’m so glad the sun has finally come out and I can leave the house without piling on layer over layer to brave the cold. Instead, I now cannot get enough of color, and lighter neutrals paired with something fun, like maybe a touch of neon to brighten them up – ’cause it seems to me that the better the weather, the brighter our moods, and isn’t it fun to make our our clothes reflect that?

Still, one cannot just go out and blow a month’s salary on a new spring wardrobe. (Well, most of use shouldn’t, at least.) Does that mean we should feel deprived? I don’t think so.

Here are a few cute things that will bring some spring to your closet (and your step, likely!) without breaking the bank.

coral faux-leather jacket • military shirtdress • Kate Spade NY multi-strand necklace • chevron dress
Tarte make-up set • aqua clutch • ballet flats (more here)• ring • sandals

triangle necklace • fedora • scarf • pale pink necklace
pumps • ear studs • belt (skinny version here) • sunglasses • lace top

I have already ordered that atzec print scarf and three colored skinny belts, but I am craving even more color. I might give in and order the Francesca pump above, it’s such a great basic heel for spring and summer!

Tell me… what are you itching to add to your wardrobe this spring?

P.S. Have you entered the giveaway yet?

If you have discussed blog-monetizing options with me in the past, you know how picky I am. I have always preferred honest sponsored posts to ads, because I share what I think about a specific product, rather than endorsing the whole brand (unless I love it all!)

But probably due to the many less-than-honest, just-sucking-up-to-the-brand reviews out there, recently Google has implemented new webmaster guidelines, which penalize websites for sponsored posts and links. I don’t entirely agree, it feels a little like tossing the baby out with the bathwater, but there it is. So I started considering ads. And turned down several proposals, before I got one I was ok with.

And here’s why: as a curvy gal, I tend to have less options than the Skinny Minnies out there. And I have a problem with that. ‘Cause I like options. In fact, the more options the better, if you ask me. Free market, people!

So when a brand offers products that come in a variety of sizes and doesn’t, like many other brands, ostracize plus-size and curvier gals everywhere, they already get a big thumbs-up from me.

Why is why I am happy to provide a link to CamilleLingerie.uk. So that you, my slim friends, and you, fellow curvy gals, can both get cute lingerie and stick your tongue out at the overpriced VS stuff (which I have used for years, and have of late been less than pleased with.)

When I checked out the website, before deciding to take it on as a sponsor, I found several things I immediately wanted to add to my shopping cart:

• first of all, cute pjs. Because the words “comfortable” and “cute” shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.
• then, lingerie. That is not something you can forgo, no matter your size. But do we want to look like grandma left us her underpinnings?
  No.
  I like variety: something for everyday, something colorful, something a little sexy. And none of it should be grumpy and grandma-like, thank you very much.
• Next up, the dread-inducer: bathing suits! As if it wasn’t painful enough to shop for swimwear, the choices for curvy gals are often… ok, disappointing is one word to describe them, but incredibly depressing might be more accurate. So when you find a cute polka dot bikini that doesn’t inspire thoughts of moving to Antarctica just to avoid bathing suit situations forever, it’s completely understandable to feel relieved. (’cause I hate the cold more or less as much as I hate ugly bathing suits.)
• And last but not least: shapewear. Because while we may feel like joining Fergie and her fellow BIPs in a (granted, somewhat shallow) ode to our curves, we don’t want to be all bumpy and lumpy under that dress; you want to show off the right curves. At least I do.

So there. Now you know. Thoughts?

Before my recent cut while in Milan, I had been growing my hair out for the 2-3 years.

Long hair is a lot of work. You have to find a way to keep the length and ends nourished without ending up with an oily scalp. And if you use hairdryers, curlers or flat irons on a regular basis, or have curly or wavy hair, you also have to watch out for frizz. It can be a pain.

In recent years, argan oil has been touted as a miracle cure for most if not all hair woes. And yet, after trying quite a few brands of argan oil, I have found it all extremely disappointing. Talk about over-hyped. What was the problem, you say? Let’s see: the hair would get oily, but didn’t really seem nourished. There were no flyaways, but I also had to shampoo more often, which tends to dry out strands – in other words, a capital FAIL. (And yes, that includes the over-hyped, overpriced one with the blue label – you know the one – which is little more than a sticky, perfumey mess. )

But… then I came across Pura D’or. It said it was organic, free of fillers or additives. Huh, that might be worth a try. Interestingly, it also said it could be used on face and body, as well – but I brushed that off because frankly, if it did what it promised, it was a keeper and that was enough for me.

And lo and behold, this one delivered. Finally! Just a couple of drops, warmed up in my hands, were enough to fight frizz and keep my hair nourished even after using a flat iron. I was even able to turn that slightly wavy texture that has been driving me crazy has somehow morphed into those relaxed “beachy waves” I have been trying to get for a while.

I was in love.

So one day I also applied a drop to my hands, that were dry from the cold, and just with that one application, my hands  stayed soft for days.

Emboldened, I even tried some on my face – despite the fact that like most people with combination skin, I am leery of oils. Result: a few drops of Pura D’or on my face 3 times a week have made my skin more even in texture, despite the bitter cold it was subjected to this past winter.

Long story short: this is one product I plan on keeping on hand. Which is also why I am so excited to be able to share it with you!

Five lucky readers of Globetrotting in Heels will each win a set containing a 4-ounce bottle of Pura D’Or organic argan oil, and one bottle each of Pura D’or shampoo and conditioner (16 oz each).

Enter below, and good luck!

(U.S. addresses only, I’m afraid – international readers, hopefully we’ll find you something lovely soon!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: this is a sponsored giveaway but not a sponsored review. I had already posted a review for Pura D’or argan oil on Amazon.com (you can find it here) when I was offered the chance to host a giveaway. I only ever recommend products and items that I myself use and love, and this is one of them!

Ah, the belated Milan post. It has been three weeks, and already I want to go back.

Let me tell you: Milan is very unappreciated in Italy – many consider it too cold, too polluted, too congested, too chaotic. And it may be some of those things, but no more than any other city worth its salt.

When I lived there, I used to drive through the Centro Storico (historical center) in the middle of the night, when the traffic had quieted down and all I could see were the impressive buildings, statues and other structures, and I’d almost feel like I had gone back in time. I only lived there for a year, and maybe that’s why I never grew tired or became impassive to its beautiful churches, monuments and historical buildings, or jaded by the daily rote through the traffic and all that… be that as it may, I LOVE Milan. I love it, I missed it, and I was so incredibly happy to be back that I could hardly contain my excitement.

The sight of the Duomo as you come up the subway stairs or turn a corner into the piazza is enough to make you freeze in place and, for a moment, forget where you are and what year it is. It is definitely enough to make you tear up, or simply ooh and aah and thank your lucky stars for being there.

It definitely was enough for me – the first time, the second, and every time after that. And this time was no exception. One look at my face as I was coming up the stairs and the Duomo came into view, and my husband knew I would need some time. Time to look at everything, to shoot everything, to take it all in. Because there is so much to take in.

Even more so, since I decided to do something I had never done before: go up to the terrace.
I had been inside the Duomo many times, had seen the treasury, the royal jewels and the gold-threaded vestments, admired the windows

and the many beautiful details inside the cathedral

but I had never been up to the terrace.

It was no picnic: the wait for the ticket took a good 35 minutes, then the wait for the elevator another 20 minutes or so; and once up there the weather wasn’t exactly cooperating. But nothing, nothing could take away from the incredibly impressive architectural details, and from the feeling of being like Quasimodo, at home among the pinnacles and buttresses, finding friends among the characters carved in the stone.

It’s a peculiar feeling, walking on those narrow paths on top of the Duomo, so far above the rest of the city, and surrounded by all these amazing sculptures – “surreal” is the best word I can think of. Not even the presence of other tourists can take away from the magic, from the feeling that you are being let into something special, because nobody is really meant to be here, and you are so very, very lucky to be.

There are many places around the world that are held to be representative of something; be it a location of historical importance, or simply a great feat of engineering; be it an incredible view or an iconic landmark. I have been to some places I held in that regard: I have seen the Golden Gate bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge; I have walked through Central Park, saw Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and admired the Chrysler Building at night; I have walked down the steps in Piazza di Spagna and thrown coins in the Fontana di Trevi; I saw Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, took photos of my daughter at the foot of one of the lions in Trafalgar Square, and jumped up and down like a kid when I saw the Big Ben… I had so many amazing moments in each one of my trips; moments that took my breath away, that made me tear up and left me speechless, or smile like a fool and talk a hundred miles a minute out of sheer excitement.

And yet somehow, this unique, amazing feeling came over me while I was standing in my home country,  in a city I had lived in, in a structure I had seen before and loved from the very first moment… but never quite as much as just then.

There, surrounded by those marble spires and flying buttresses, I felt like I was on top of the world. I was exhilarated at the experience, and amazed and humbled by the beauty and the sheer skill that each and every detail showed.

It may seem strange to wax poetic about something like this, but if you could jump in my head for a moment and feel just how incredible it was, you’d be surprised at my restraint. Because if there ever was a time to say “I guess you had to be there”, this is it. You have to be there. Forget Cinque Terre, forget Venice, forget the Tour Eiffel: if you take one special trip this lifetime, make it to Milan; and make a point of going into the Duomo, and visiting it all, top to bottom – or rather, bottom to top, ’cause you should definitely leave the terrace for last.

And then you will likely find that even though you took the elevator (or the stairs) down and your feet landed at ground level, you might just be walking on cloud 9 for a few days.