Beautiful Milan (Milano) almost appears like one of the models gracing its numerous catwalks: great bone structure (in the shape of fabulous historic buildings and striking modern architecture), extravagant taste and designer fashion showrooms all over the place: Armani, Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Pucci, Gucci … you name it, they have it.

Add some great bars, coffee & absolutely awesome gelato plus the ever fantastic Italian food  … e pronto … Milano.

Just returned from an assignment in Mumbai – India’s most densly populated city with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million(!). Vivid – bustling – loud – great people – awesome food – visual overload. How do you best describe such a place? Well, you cannot get it any better than in this abtract from Lonely Planet’s website:

“Measure out: one part Hollywood; six parts traffic; a bunch of rich power-moguls; stir in half a dozen colonial relics (use big ones); pour in six heaped cups of poverty; add a smattering of swish bars and restaurants (don’t skimp on quality here for best results); equal parts of mayhem and order; as many ancient bazaars as you have lying around; a handful of Hinduism; a dash of Islam; fold in your mixture with equal parts India; throw it all in a blender on high (adding generous helpings of pollution to taste) and you get … Mumbai.”