RESORT 25 | TRAVEL DIARIES
24HRS IN MILAN WITH
PHOEBE WOLFE
MAY 2025
RESORT 25 | TRAVEL DIARIES
24HRS IN MILAN WITH
PHOEBE WOLFE
MAY 2025
RESORT 25 | TRAVEL DIARIES
OCEAN ADVENTURER JESSICA WATSON
24HRS IN MILAN WITH
PHOEBE WOLFE
MAY 2025
What’s your perfect day in Milan — what are you wearing and where are you going?
My perfect day in Milan would be orchestrated by two of my little sisters, who’ve been living there for the past six months. According to them, no day can start without an espresso — though I’m still to determine whether that’s true Milanese culture or just their caffeine addiction talking.
Once sufficiently caffeinated, we’d head straight to Bivio, their go-to vintage store. Something primal awakens in me in European vintage stores, and this one was no exception. I could easily spend days browsing through the pieces and threatening my baggage allowance.
It was just starting to warm up while I was there, so I wore a white Oroton dress, simple ballet flats, and my brown Jacques sunglasses — all very light, easy, and ideal for a day of wandering the city without a plan but with purpose.
Lunch would have to be at All’Antico Vinaio. Their seasonal Spring Sandwich — think salami and hot honey — is ridiculously good and kind to the wallet. In the evening, nothing beats E/N (Enoteca Naturale) for wine and nibbles. They have an excellent selection of natural reds and offer recommendations that actually feel personal. The vibe is effortlessly cool: outdoor seating in a tucked-away courtyard, surrounded by trees, music, and the kind of people you want to eavesdrop on (if only my Italian was better).
What was a highlight from this trip to Milan?
A surprising standout was visiting QC Termemilano, an art nouveau wellness centre a friend recommended. I’m not usually a day-spa person, but this place changed my mind — beautiful old architecture, thermal baths, saunas, and lush gardens made it feel like a secret sanctuary right in the middle of the city. It was a perfect pause from the pace of Milan.
How do you settle into the flow of a new place — do you plan ahead or go with the flow?
A bit of both. I like to ground myself with a regular café and grocery store — those little routines help me feel like a local almost instantly. I always scout out a few bookstores when I’m in a European city, partly because I’m always spending a fortune on shipping MACK and IDEA books. That said, I love the freedom to wander — if I set out with a plan but something more interesting pops up along the way, I’ll happily follow the detour.
What excites you most about travel?
The spontaneity. Freed from the routines of daily life, I feel more open to seize unexpected moments — whether it’s following a group to a hidden wine bar, hopping on a plane to visit a nearby friend, or stumbling across a coat that makes me contemplate a legal name change.
But also, the perspective. Creating that tangible distance between yourself and home always renews me. I love returning with fresh eyes and a newfound appreciation for my everyday.
What’s your perfect day in Milan — what are you wearing and where are you going?
My perfect day in Milan would be orchestrated by two of my little sisters, who’ve been living there for the past six months. According to them, no day can start without an espresso — though I’m still to determine whether that’s true Milanese culture or just their caffeine addiction talking.
Once sufficiently caffeinated, we’d head straight to Bivio, their go-to vintage store. Something primal awakens in me in European vintage stores, and this one was no exception. I could easily spend days browsing through the pieces and threatening my baggage allowance.
It was just starting to warm up while I was there, so I wore a white Oroton dress, simple ballet flats, and my brown Jacques sunglasses — all very light, easy, and ideal for a day of wandering the city without a plan but with purpose.
Lunch would have to be at All’Antico Vinaio. Their seasonal Spring Sandwich — think salami and hot honey — is ridiculously good and kind to the wallet. In the evening, nothing beats E/N (Enoteca Naturale) for wine and nibbles. They have an excellent selection of natural reds and offer recommendations that actually feel personal. The vibe is effortlessly cool: outdoor seating in a tucked-away courtyard, surrounded by trees, music, and the kind of people you want to eavesdrop on (if only my Italian was better).
What was a highlight from this trip to Milan?
A surprising standout was visiting QC Termemilano, an art nouveau wellness centre a friend recommended. I’m not usually a day-spa person, but this place changed my mind — beautiful old architecture, thermal baths, saunas, and lush gardens made it feel like a secret sanctuary right in the middle of the city. It was a perfect pause from the pace of Milan.
How do you settle into the flow of a new place — do you plan ahead or go with the flow?
A bit of both. I like to ground myself with a regular café and grocery store — those little routines help me feel like a local almost instantly. I always scout out a few bookstores when I’m in a European city, partly because I’m always spending a fortune on shipping MACK and IDEA books. That said, I love the freedom to wander — if I set out with a plan but something more interesting pops up along the way, I’ll happily follow the detour.
What excites you most about travel?
The spontaneity. Freed from the routines of daily life, I feel more open to seize unexpected moments — whether it’s following a group to a hidden wine bar, hopping on a plane to visit a nearby friend, or stumbling across a coat that makes me contemplate a legal name change.
But also, the perspective. Creating that tangible distance between yourself and home always renews me. I love returning with fresh eyes and a newfound appreciation for my everyday.
