Milan Architect Shares Hidden Gems

Spanish-born architect Patricia Urquiola is a creative force in her adopted city of Milan, where she founded her own studio in 2001. A student of the legendary Achille Castiglione, her work is known for its playful and unconventional style, blending minimalism with floral and sensual elements. Her designs are showcased in museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Urquiola's influence extends throughout Milan's design landscape, where she has served as the Creative Director for the iconic Italian furniture brand Cassina since 2015. Her recent projects in the city include the transformation of a 1950s building into the Casa Brera hotel and designing the Room Mate Giulia hotel, with interiors reflecting the city's vibrant personality through its colors and materials. Milan is a global hub for design, most famously hosting the Salone del Mobile, the world's largest trade fair of its kind. The next edition is scheduled for April 21-26, 2026, and is expected to feature over 1,900 exhibitors. The event is part of the broader Milan Design Week, which includes "Fuorisalone," a series of over 1,000 independent design events scattered across the city. Beyond the annual design festivities, Milan offers a wealth of architectural and cultural sites. Hidden gems include the Villa Necchi Campiglio, a 1930s villa with the city's first private swimming pool, and the Casa Museo Boschi Di Stefano, a house-museum featuring a remarkable collection of 20th-century art. For a taste of classic Milanese cuisine, historic spots like Antica Trattoria Della Pesa are local institutions. Meanwhile, a first-time visitor's 5-day trip to New York City often includes a mix of iconic landmarks and neighborhood exploration. Itineraries frequently suggest dedicating time to Lower Manhattan to visit the Statue of Liberty and the September 11 Memorial & Museum. The memorial features two large reflecting pools set within the footprints of the Twin Towers. The 9/11 Memorial is free and open to the public daily, while the adjacent museum requires timed tickets that can be purchased in advance. Visitors should plan for at least 45 to 90 minutes for the museum experience and are subject to security screening. The site honors the 2,977 people killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks and the six people killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Exploring NYC's multicultural fabric is another key experience, with neighborhoods like Chinatown and the diverse food scenes in boroughs like Queens offering a global taste. Tourism is a significant driver of the city's economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and fueling attendance at cultural institutions. The city's cultural diversity, shaped by waves of immigration, is a major draw for the millions of tourists who visit annually.