Hello everyone, 

I went to Montreal last year, for Christmas holidays and I was really afraid because of the lowest  temperatures and bad weather. I had asked some friends about their experience in Montreal during the winter months, and one of them told me that "Last year was the worst winter ever with -30 °C" . And I was really afraid because I had no idea what can Canadian people do with these extreme temperatures. And they replied me "Hmm, we were staying at home all the time with my cousins." 

When I was arrived on Christmas day, the temperature  was around - 15/ -18 °C in the afternoon, and it was a steady temperature during all the week. I thought I couldn't have gone out with this kind of weather, and yet, I survived. 

I think I spent my whole time in the Old Montreal, and sincerely I don't know why... because I wanted to go to Mount-Royal or discover the other districts but I was already knowing the other ones, because I had been in Montreal during summer,  three years ago. Furthermore, it was freezing cold and  I'm not sure it was a good idea to visit the city. 

We had only one sunny day and it was snowing most of all time. I was disappointed and my mom hates so much when it's snowing. My little brother decided to hibernate and don't go out with us. 

For design and food lovers, the Old Montreal district is for you. There are many art galleries, furniture stores, fashion stores, and restaurants. 

If you love baked bagel, the best ones that I found are at St-Viateur Bagel Shop (158 St-Viateur West)  in the Mile End. This is THE bagel INSTITUTION in Montreal. 

If you love skating and more, ice skating, go to Natrel Basin, a nice spot at the heart of the old port in Montreal. It's located near the Montreal Observation Wheel and the Terrasses Bonsecours. 

Finally, I also went to the Montreal Eaton Centre, especially for my favorite bookstore in the city : Chapter's Indigo. I bought a lot of stationery there because I can't find those things in Paris. 

At the end of January, I went back to Milan for a weekend. Last time, I went there for Christmas Holidays 2015 and the weather wasn't good at all. 

This time, the weather was fine for two days and it was very pleasant. We've completely forgotten the cold temperatures. 

Mi piace molto Milano. Milan is MY favorite city in Italy, especially for its atmosphere, its restaurants, its people, its streets and its stores. Some of my friends have always told me that Milan is an equivalent of Paris and that's the reason why I love the city. 

Usually, we're landing at Linate Airport. But for this time, we were arrived at Milan-Malpensa Airport. It's the second airport of Italy and the biggest airport of Milan which is located at around 55km from the old town. I'm gonna give you a PRECIOUS advice. Don't take a taxi because it costs 95 euros. Actually, it was our first time at this airport and we didn't know the area very well. You can take the Malpensa Express. It costs 13 euros per person, and it's a train linking the airport (terminal 1 & 2) to the Central Train Station of Milan.  

Once we arrived at the hotel, we've been upgraded (again). We booked a room at NH Touring Milano, near the metro station Turati. This hotel is very nice, very contemporary and the staff is always attentive to their clients.   

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN MILAN IN 2 DAYS ? 

• Porta Garibaldi-Porta Nuova District : It's a new district and the modern side of Milan : the central business district.  There, you'll find a mall with restaurants, stores, gym). Then, when you're going to Corso Como, you have many young designers stores, restaurants and the famous concept store : 10 Corso Como. It's an italian version of Colette Paris (who doesn't longer exist). It was founded by Carla Sozzani, sister of Franca Sozzani, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia.  On the Piazza XXV Aprile, there is also an other concept store for furnitures and decoration  : Cargo HighTech.  Go further on Corso Garibaldi, you will enjoy the view on a Gucci Art Wall,  you can go to the Moleskine Café, a womenswear brand Midinette which offers a collection of vintage and glamorous inspired-clothes. Concerning Brera, it's the artistic district of Milan. If I could define Brera, I'd say it's the equivalent of Saint Germain des Prés in Paris: bohemian chic known as "BOBO" (bourgeois bohème). You can find there a lot of art galleries, design stores, little restaurants, cafés. 

SUMMARY OF MY BEST ADDRESSES IN MILAN 

Where to sleep ? 
I had been staying in a four-stars hotel in the city centre, located at around 20 minutes from the Central Train Station by walk. I had booked on Booking.com. 

Where to eat ? 

• Nui City Jungle Café, Via Principe Amedeo. It's a restaurant which is very crowded for lunch time, because people working around there (Embassy, luxury brands HQ, Radio Monte Carlo, Banks) are eating there. The Milanese Veal is absolutely delicious.
• Biancolatte, Via Turati. It's both a store and a restaurant. It's very cute and perfect for a tea time/snack time.  
• California Bakery, Via Corso Como : sincerely, i'm not a huge fan. It's very small but if you want an american burger, you can go there. 
• Granaio Caffè e Cucina, next to Galerie Vittorio Emanuele II. I went there for a tea time and when I checked the menu, I discovered that you can eat a slice of Sacher Torte. It's a typical pastry from Austria. I was so surprised to find it in Milan. 
• 10 Corso Como Café : for the amazing place. 

What can you visit ? 

• Brera District : for design and vintage stores lovers. 
• Quadrilatero della moda (Luxury Fashion District) :for luxury and premium stores. 
• Museo del Novecento
• Il Duomo Di Milano
• La Scala
• Parco Sempione
• Gallerie d'Italia
• Fondazione Prada