thoughts from my desk or from the road
Hello everyone, it’s time for the (now annual) blog post. Here I am in the hotel Luxor in Turin. No, not a recreation of the pyramids as one might find in Las Vegas, but a 3* Best Western operation that has delivered me a nice room but sub-par toiletries. You might wonder why I’m in… Read more The Italian Paradox
Hello boys and girls, Since we last spoke I’ve had a blazing row with a taxi driver, been trailed by a professional photographer for 24 hours, and gone to a casino with no gaming tables… It was back to Italy again a few weeks ago for a meeting – once again flying to Milan but… Read more In and out of Milan
Have come to the fantastically Belle Epoque Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees in the tourist resort of Stresa on Lago Maggiore. Arrived Thursday morning in a taxi from Malpensa Airport. Was a bit worried that the taxi driver might baulk at taking me such a long way, but by contrast his eyes lit up at… Read more Sunshine in Stresa
The Lonely Planet suggested that a trip to the Mercato Communale was a good idea. The thought of an Italian food market in a large city was too good to turn down. Equipped with images of vaulted ceilings, hordes of animated Milanese discussing the best way to cook veal, and appealing racks of salamis dangling… Read more Expectation Management
Greetings all from the fashion capital of the world (no, not Düsseldorf, whatever it would have you believe). This week, I am mostly being in Milan. First impressions are favourable (helped by a hotel that exceeded expectations). The Central Station is an astonishing edifice – I really feel the word “building” doesn’t do it justice.… Read more Buongiorno