Milan top tips: Design Week special

Marcel Wanders for Alessi, on show at the newly relocated Alessi flagship store in Milan

With only a few days to go before the design world arrives in Milan, it is important to plan ahead. However, Italy's design capital also offers less well-known places that are worth visiting, from small shops to spectacular restaurants and quiet hotels.

Il Cuchaio di Legno, Milan

WGSN-homebuildlife has picked out the best places to visit for some inspiration, from museums, showroom and shops to bars, restaurants, hotels and outdoor spaces.

Top of our list for retail will be Alessi's flagship store, which is moving from its historical premises in Corso Matteotti to a new space on Via Manzoni designed by Martí Guixé. The store will be officially open to the public in May 2011, but guests can catch a preview at the store's launch party on the evening of April 11.

Yacout

Another great retail destination while you're in Milan is Il Cuchaio di Legno: this kitchen store has an amazing selection of utensils, specialty books and food design-related objects, not to mention a mouth-watering selection of cheeses, wines and spices. The shop also hosts tasting events, book parties and even cooking classes run by famous chefs.

In terms of restaurants, a good choice would be Yacout, whose luxurious environment has seen it widely acclaimed as one of the top 20 most beautiful restaurants in the world. A must for Mediterranean food lovers.

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