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Best of Expo 2015 Milano

A round up of what all our Buzzhoppers had to say about what to see and do at the Expo in Milano

Be warned – the last two weeks of Expo are super crowded. So expect long queues and big crowds. Some of the most popular pavilions have queues of up to 2-4 hours long. Weekends are the busiest as over 250,000 visitors day are expected.During the week, Expo is crammed full of school kids – hundreds of them. And you’ll have to be assertive in the queues, Italians (especially the elderly Italians) are prone to pushing and elbowing their way in. Stay patient and calm. Our Buzzhopper founder witnessed an elderly gentlemen punching a teenage girl in the back as tempers frayed over the crowds and queues this week. Set your expectations before you go and prepare yourself for the crowds and long queues.

HOW TO GET THERE

The fastest train to Expo. Milan’s extensive metro (underground) system will get you to Expo – but if you’re staying anywhere near the ‘train passante’ system – this is a much quicker, and slightly cheaper option. Taking the “passante” – Milano’s urban rail – (lines S5, S14, S6,S11) ) from Porta Venezia will get to you Expo in twenty minutes with a five minute walk to the expo entrance. The metro line from from Porta Venezia will take you 45 minutes, with a longer 15 minutes walk to the entrance. Check the map below. Buy your passante return train ticket from any newsstand, or if you use the ticketing vending machine, purchase two singles (a return ticket is not available from the machines).

For full details head over to Trenord.it

WHEN YOU GET THERE – as soon as you enter, get on the Expo shuttle which will take you to the other end of Expo and here you can start to walk back to the entrance. This will save you kilometres and hours of walking through the crowds to the end of Expo and back again to the entrance.

WHAT TO SEE

Have some fun! There’s a gigantic net installation at the Brazil pavilion that’s really fun to climb around on.

The Argentinian pavilion had the best performance of street dancers “Choque Urbano”playing with different sounds – very cool, you should

check it out here

Don’t miss The Coop –“ Supermarket of the Future” in the Future Food district. An expo dedicated to the future of food and how we will produce, consume and shop in years to come. “It’s very interesting and interactive and can scan different products in the store and information appears on the screen above you – Tatiana, 32, Paris

Buzzhoppers vote for best pavilions go to – Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the EU pavilion

The House of Wine in Italy pavilion was great- but also check out the pavilions showcasing Italian regions. – Hana, 38, Vietnam

TOP EXPO HIGHLIGHT

Buzzhoppers unanimously voted “The Tree of Life” show in the evenings as the highlight of Expo. Weekday evenings, every half hour between 8.30 -10am and until 10.30pm on weekends. A spectacular show of music, lights and fireworks lasting about 12 minutes.

“Worth going to expo just to see this!” – Melanie, 35, Brazil.

EATING AND DRINKING AT EXPO

“Save your money and save the the environment Bring your own refillable water bottle. There are natural and sparkling water fountains all over Expo so you can refill your own water bottle,” Jane, 45, Scotland.

Peckish? There’s a huge array of food available at Expo and the Buzzhoppers have sampled sampled a lot! It’s not cheap though. Overall, we liked the curries in the Thai and Bangladesh pavilions, and loved the fries from the Belgian stand and chunkie chips from the Netherlands ‘chip’ truck. With over 200,000 visitors a day in the final month, expect to queue a while and if you’re waiting in line for the Asian street food stands, don’t have high expectations.

“On Friday and Saturday evenings, join the party crowd in the Belgian beer hall for – you guessed it, beer and fries. This is the fun place to be!” – Dina, 32, Milan.

Don’t bother with – anything from the USA food trucks (way overpriced) and give the EUR8.50 hotdogs at the The Netherlands a miss. Order a double portion of chips. Food at Expo is generally pricey so if you’re on a budget, pack your own lunch or grab some snacks from the stands and head to the relaxing terrace on German pavilion to soak up the Expo atmosphere

Head to Brazil at Expo for the most delicious caipirinha’s you’re advised to climb around on the gigantic net installation before you consume too many of these! They’re wonderfully addictive. – Beth, 35 yrs, USA

EXPO PICKS FOR THE FAMILY

“I’ve been several times and am a fan of the Expo. The lines at the Japan pavilion are always really long but I still hope to get there. I also liked Israel, Germany, Kuwait and Malaysia stands. – Jane, 45yrs, EXPO season pass holder

Brazil …a great massive net to climb around on, good fun. Germany – super hi tech, and interactive Coca cola stand and Nutella stand…for ‘obvious’ reasons. – Francesca – 14yrs, Milan

“I love anything ‘techie’ so I really enjoyed – Corrado, 50yrs

The Alitalia pavilion has an Airbus simulator! “I was the only one in my class who didn’t crash the plane within 3 minutes”.(BUT note that all slots for the simulator have been booked up in advance and there are no available slots until the end of Expo) The Austrian pavilion was my favourite. You can walk through the Black Forest and sense the sounds and feel different temperatures. The EU pavilion has a really interesting ‘history of food’ experience told through the lives of two people from different cultures. Although it’s suited to more younger kids, I really enjoyed it. It’s true – food unites us all! – Luca, 12 years old

Meet The Buzzhopper – Jane Wilson, Milano

Ciao Jane, tell us a bit about yourself, what makes you a Buzzhopper?

I’ve lived in Milano for 22 yrs as an expat, wife and mother and I’m constantly being asked by friends (and friends of friends) on what see and do in Milano. For work, I manage two downtown palazzo apartments for rent so I meet guests from around the world on a daily basis. This enables me to look at Milan from two perspectives – living like a local, as well as seeing Milan through tourists’ eyes. I’m also a hotel consultant/inspector for Alistair Sawaday’s Special Places so I get to visit many charming accomodations in northern Italy. I’m constantly telling my guests and industry colleagues about buzzhopper places they won’t find in any guidebooks.

So Culture Vulture and Tree Hugger are two of your vibes … what does that mean to you?

I love anything involving nature and anything natural. This ranges from seeking out the great outdoors on my travels to choosing natural, organic products when eating out and shopping. Living and working in Milan can be very hectic so I’m always looking for a new oasis to escape for some peace and tranquility. This can mean strolling through one of Milan’s secret gardens or just wondering quietly through an art gallery and museum – (during off peak hours of course!)

What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far?

I’m eager to check out Anne Marie Butt’s London tip, Caboose. This ticks all the boxes for me – novelty factor of a train carriage interior, value for money, casual and friendly vibe, and it’s even BYO. It’s exactly the kind of place to gather my friends together for a fun night out. I’ll definitely be booking ahead to come here the time I head to London.

What would you say to people discovering/using the site for the first time? Use the filter menu to connect with a buzzhopper of a similar age and shared interests as yourself. This is fundamental to finding places that will suit you, and what you’re looking for.

Meet the Buzzhopper – Joanne Fowler, London.

Hi Joanne, welcome to Buzzhopper! Tell us what it’s like to be a Buzzhopper in London?

I am an American journalist and I worked as an editor at People magazine in New York City for many years. I have been in London for three years now and love my life here. On the weekends I like to explore different neighborhoods and restaurants in this gorgeous city with my husband and two daughters. We also love visiting the English countryside or bopping around Europe on weekends.

I first caught the travel bug in high school when I was an exchange student in Sweden. Since then I have been lucky enough to live in Tokyo, Berlin, Brussels, and for a brief period, in Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City as it’s currently called. I never tire of traveling. As a Buzzhopper I have a chance to connect with like-minded, curious people all around the globe and get an inside glimpse into their world. It’s awesome.

Bubbles and nibbles is one of your Vibes, tell us more?

Bubbles and nibbles is one of my favorite vibes because I love champagne! Life with two children is always busy, so I often find that I don’t have time for a big night out.When meeting friends, a glass of bubbly and a quick bite seem to do the trick.Where I go out in London really depends on my mood. For lunch, I usually seek out restaurants that serve healthy food with an upbeat and cheery vibe like the Wolesley and Molly’s Little Venice. These places serve great salads. In fact, one of top selling dishes at The Wolesley is their chopped chicken salad. I avoid restaurants that are too dark or serve a lot of fried foods. For dinner, I like restaurants with a fun, buzzy vibe like Sketch, House of Ho or Duck & Waffle. I avoid restaurants that are too precious, too formal or too somber!

What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper that’s on your must-do list?

I am very intrigued by Maria Ramos’ tip about the Richmond Spa . Richmond is a beautiful part of London and I haven’t explored it very much. Now I have an excuse to do so!

What would you say to people using Buzzhopper for the first time?

London is a massive, sprawling city with a wide variety of neighborhoods. Because Buzzhoppers are spread all over the city, you can find your connection to them via your shared interests and vibes and they offer an insider glimpse into parts of the city you might not normally explore. I suggest you seek out BH’s recommended restaurants, bars or activities in new neighborhoods and map out a whole day around the tips.

ASK THE BUZZHOPPER with Francesca Ciammitti in Rome.

Rome is clearly a popular destination among the Buzz-ing travel community this summer. Welcome to our new “Ask the Buzzhopper?” which we’ve introduced after getting so many emails after last week’s Buzz Spotlight with Francesca Ciammitti in Rome. Thanks to Francesca for joining us again!

Q) Francesca, you mentioned that every region in Italy has its own dishes, and even own ingredients for its special dishes. I’m coming to Rome soon, what dishes are the true Roman dishes I MUST try while I’m there?

A) I think the Roman must-have dishes are pasta gricia – which is pasta with Roman pecorino cheese, pepper and lard from the pig’s cheek, and coda alla vaccinara, which is a Roman oxtail stew.

If you are in Rome during wintertime, you must try puntarelle alla romana, a special kind of winter chicory sprout, served in anchovy sauce. And for the vegetarians I would suggest pasta cacio e pepe – which is just like pasta gricia without meat. As its name suggests, it’s pasta with cheese and pepper. Simple and truly delicious. And extremely hard to replicate outside of Rome due to the ingredients. Order with a side of stir fried chicory, or Roman artichokes.

Q) You mentioned you’re a comic book translator. What are your favourite comics?

A) It’s very hard to say which is my favorite comic book, I have a pretty vast collection of mostly American and Italian comics, but I could go on forever talking about them, so I’ll just pick two: Alan Moore’s version of “Swampthing”, and “Pompeo” or just anything that has been written and drawn by Andrea Pazienza, an Italian comic artist that should be way more famous than he is outside of Italy.

PS – We’ll be returning to “Meet the Buzzhopper” next week and we’ll be heading to London. But if you have any questions for Ask the Buzzhopper, buzz us at info@buzzhopper.com

Meet the Buzzhopper: Francesca Ciammitti, Rome.

Ciao Francesca. Come’stai? Tell us a bit about yourself and what makes you a buzzhopper?

Good food, a glass of red wine, and a chat with a good friend is all I need to reach the peak of happiness. I love to mingle with the locals everywhere I go, and I always have special tips to share with my globetrotter friends whenever they come to Italy.

My best friends are spread all over the world and I sometimes wonder what would happen if we all converged in one place at the same time. Probably a massive catastrophe!

I’m 100% Italian, but my Abruzzese parents have been moving from place to place ever since I was little – until Rome officially adopted me. I’m a story book editor, development executive and comic book translator. I spent my high school years between Italy, Western Australia and Canada. It sounds more exciting than what it really is, but life can be complicated and boring to explain so I’ll just let you think that my parents were undercover CIA agents.

Did I mention that I have a love affair with New York? But who doesn’t?

So “Food you eat not you look at” is one of your Vibes. What does that mean to you?

The best Italian food is very simple. It’s all about fresh ingredients which you can only find in specific areas you are visiting. Every town in Italy will have their specific dialect, dishes and ingredients.

I don’t care if the place is fancy or hip – so long as there’s no neon-lighting in the restaurant – this always makes me nervous, as I feel as I’m about to be vivisected right there on the restaurant table! The only thing I have in my mind when I enter a restaurant is “where’s the beef?” Or seitan, for my vegan friends.

What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far?

Daniel de Filippis’ tip about the Thai restaurant, Isola Puket. I can’t thank him enough for putting this on Buzzhopper.

I love to go out for dinner with friends but I am not a pasta or pizza enthusiast – and God knows this can become quite a serious issue when you live in Italy. In Rome, it can be hard to find good ethnic restaurants that also have decent customer service. This place is a true find.

What’s one piece of advice would you give someone coming to your city for the first time?

Roman social and cultural life is based on word of mouth, more than any other city I know of.

When in Rome, the odds of finding a great place just by randomly walking down the street is probably as low as your first memoir novel becoming an instant bestseller!

ALWAYS ask locals, even if this means you have to stop a stranger in the street. Or ask a shop owner or the barista serving you coffee. You get the idea.

What would you say to someone about using buzzhopper for the first time – or what’s your favourite thing about Buzzhopper

Especially in places like Rome, where it’s very easy to stumble upon tourist traps if you don’t know any locals who can advise you, Buzzhopper can be a life-saving net for the visitor or tourist that otherwise wouldn’t have anyone to ask.

Plus, I really appreciate the fact that Buzzhoppers and users don’t waste their time in writing or reading negative reviews. Customer complaints can be unbelievably hilarious (in a bad way) and pointless.

When I’m bored, I actually enjoy reading crazy negative reviews or sometimes just plain ridiculous reviews. Do you know there are people reviewing ouija boards on Amazon? Seriously, you must check this out! I certainly don’t do this when I’m looking for a nice place to go to. Go to Buzzhopper for that!

Meet the Buzzhopper: Heather Jacobs, Sydney

Hi there Heather- Tell us a bit about yourself and what’s it like being a buzzhopper?

I’m a journalist by trade and adore the beach. I’ve had the travel bug ever since I ran away from home at 16 to go on a Lion’s scholarship to Western Samoa. From that time onwards I’ve been looking for any excuse to get on a plane. Now I’ve got at least 800 more excuses – and thankfully I no longer need to forge my parents’ signature for approval to leave the country. Being a Buzzhopper combines my favourite things in one package (or website). Fabulous destinations, curated insider tips on where to travel, eat, shop and drink from people (who are similar to myself) who treat these things with the reverence they deserve.

Your favourite vibes include rooftop drinks and pamper me, relax me… what do these mean for you?

I’m a sucker for water views and a laid-back beachy vibe, preferably after I’ve been pampered for several hours. My essentials for a great day would start with a beach walk or swim in the morning, yoga, an afternoon of ‘pamper me, relax me’ then meeting lots of good friends for Bellini’s at sunset overlooking a beach, followed by a fabulous meal, drinks at a rooftop bar, dancing if it’s on offer, and hot chips on the way home.

I love planning a trip almost as much as taking it. The hotel is as important as the destination for me and has to be just right. I can spend months searching and choosing the right hotel/s for my holiday. Often I’ll change hotels every three to four days simply because I can’t decide and must try them all out! My favourite hotels are The Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi, which is so good that you need to make a great effort to actually leave it and explore Hanoi; and Playa Escondida in Sayulita, Mexico where we had our honeymoon. It’s right on the beach, is walking distance to the shabby-chic surfing village of Sayulita, has yoga, massages, great food and the rooms look like little hobbit houses.

Er, what does your husband think about this hotel-hopping habit of yours?

Oh. Well, he grumbles a bit when he has to pack but then he has a beer and forgets all about the move.

I almost always end up having to buy an extra suitcase at the airport to fit all my shopping as I tend to underestimate how many things I’ve picked up along the way.

And I guess your husband heads to the airport bar for a few beers while you continue your packing at check-in?

Of course. He loves travelling and hates flying so he has to be bribed with beers every step of the way.

What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far?

Sydney buzzhopper Anouska’s tip for Playa Takeria in Darlinghurst. What a find! The food is amazing and the décor is really fun. I liked it so much that I went back two nights in a row after I discovered it. I got married in Mexico (although we never got around to making it legal … but that’s another story) so all things Mexican have a special place in my heart. This place captures a certain vibe that’s missing in so many Mexican restaurants in Sydney – I even asked the owner Ricardo if I could have my upcoming Mexican-themed wedding fiesta there (yes, we’re definitely going to make it legal this time; just hold the tequila). He was happy to oblige but sadly the venue is a little too small for a wedding reception.

What would you say to someone about using buzzhopper for the first time?

Choose your city and pick your favourite interests, vibes and tags in the Buzzhopper search tool and see who, and what tips come up. That’s your starting point to find exactly what you’re looking for.

What’s the best discovery you’ve made in the past year you can share with Buzzhopper?

Catalina’s in Rose Bay is my all time favourite Sydney restaurant and it’s conveniently located within walking distance of my home. (Editor’s note – I think Heather might have moved to Rose Bay simply to be within reach of Catalina’s). I’ve recently signed up to their Locals’ Deal – their loyalty program – which now entices and enables me to go there a lot more often. These local ‘special offers’ range from $20 mains on weeknights in winter, a free cocktail or dessert and a free birthday meal! But I must add that I go for the ‘special offer’ but we always splurge on the wine so it never turns out to be budget night out after all! Nevertheless, it’s always a lovely evening. Start with the Sydney rock oysters; move on to the lobster pasta; and then finish with Pavlova for desert. Heaven!

Meet the Buzzhopper: Sara Mitterhofer – Milano

Ciao Sara! Tell us a bit about yourself, what makes you a Buzzhopper?

I was raised by a very fashionable grandmother in this tiny (and boring) town in Südtirol (South Tryol) called San Candido and spent my childhood listening to her regale endless stories about her life à La Dolce Vita and I devoured fashion magazines from the time I could read. Even as a young child, I knew Milan was the place I HAD to be! Later, as a student in Milan, I went out every day and discovered the city by partying, eating and drinking my way through it. Whenever my friends want to try new restaurants, look for places to go on dates – or simply need a ‘chat’ (ie. psychological profile) about a new guy they’ve just met – I’m always the first point of contact. Need any advice?

So “In a (wine) glass of my own” is one of your Vibes… what does that mean to you?

Going to aperitivo hour, sipping wine cosied up on movie night or enjoying a bottle (or two) during a long romantic dinner – wine is the nectar of happiness, right?In Milan, I love to spend winter evenings at N’Ombra de Vin and La Vineria in summer. I am always in search of hidden enotecas and newly opened vineries. Decanter and Spirito di Vino are progressively replacing my huge piles of fashion magazines around my flat. I buy my wines from this great wine cellar – Signor Vino, which is conveniently located next to the duomo – so you can see Milan’s top tourist attraction and then go and buy wine close afterwards – now, that’s my kind of sightseeing! And they’re open form 8am until midnight. A great selection at all price points. If you don’t have time to visit some neighbourhood enotecas, this is your best place to stock up on wine in downtown Milano.

What are your favourite wines?

Coming from Südtirol, it’s no surprise that wines from my region are my favourites. For every day wine, I love Gewürztraminer. For special occasions, I’ll choose Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer (white) and Lagrein Lindenburg Alois Lageder (red). Haderburg Pas Dose’ Millesimato is my favourite sparkling wine and with dessert I’ll have a Moscato Rosa Franz Haas, thank you.

What kind of things makes you say “this is a Buzzhopper place?”

My Buzzhopper places are simply places I really love. And it’s important to note that I don’t believe in love at first sight either. My Buzzhopper places are those that I’ve been impressed to return to – and now I’m a loyal customer due to their consistency to deliver a memorable and fun experience. Every time.

What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far?

I love “28 Posti” – a tip from my boyfriend Edward. This is my perfect ‘date’ place. It only has 28 seats so it’s cosy, minimalist and romantic all at the same time. Amazing food too.

I also have two other places I must mention which fellow Buzzhoppers recently gave me when I visited Florence for the first time. “L’Antica Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella” (the original site of the pharmacy which makes the famous Santa Maria Novella products) and a wine bar and restaurant in a residential neighbourhood close to the Ponte Vecchio – “Il Santo Bevitore”.

What would you say to people discovering/using the site for the first time?

Buzzhopper is unique compared to all the other travel and restaurants reviews because Buzzhoppers are an international community of amazing people. Search always for your soul mate – the friend with whom you would love to stroll around the city to discover new things. Be sure he/she exactly matches your lifestyle and you’ll find places you won’t find in other online guides or websites.

Meet the Buzzhopper: Samantha Marshall, New York City

And we’re back in New York City this week with Samantha Marshall!

Enjoy the trip!

Hello Sam! Tell us a bit about yourself, what makes you a Buzzhopper?
I sort of stumbled into it by virtue of the fact that I have a large network of international and globetrotting friends and we’re always talking about the best places to go and see in cities we live and have visited. I come from a long line of itinerant ancestors – my grandfather worked for the Nizam of Hyderabad – and have been traveling and living abroad since I was a child, beginning with frequent trips to the UK to visit family, my parents are English but I was born and mostly raised in Canada. As a teenager I began visiting my father in Hong Kong and Bangkok, where he worked in the toy industry, and it was at that point I decided to become a journalist in Southeast Asia. I have since “settled” between New York and Miami Beach, although my current profession as a ghostwriter requires me to travel to LA, Milan, Beijing… you get the idea.
So “ food you eat, not look at” is one of your Vibes… what does that mean to you?
I must have been a peasant in many of my past lives because there is nothing I enjoy more than good, hearty “peasant food” – food you eat and not look at, especially in places like France and Italy, but also in the Deep South. It’s the simplest ingredients and recipes that make the best meals, even if they originated from poor people creatively trying to stretch out their meat budget, which may also be why I love side dishes like Yorkshire pud and bread sauce. Give me a family-run restaurant in the countryside with la mamma in the kitchen stirring the sauce, and a jug of local table wine. That’s my idea of heaven.

I hate pretension in general. Whenever possible when I travel, I try to do what the ordinary locals do. That’s also why I love exploring markets for everything from cheeses and charcuterie to baby clothes for my partner’s new granddaughter.
What kind of things makes you say “this is a Buzzhopper place?”
When it’s an experience that really captures the feeling of the city or region. Authenticity and spontaneity are key. No hipsters, beard douches or package tourists please – just good people enjoying the atmosphere as they eat, shop and play.

What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far?
I have followed Melinda Chan Butts’s suggestions slavishly for over 20yrs, across several regions and currently I have two faves I can’t decide between – both are in the downtown shopping and residential area of Porta Venezia . For a quick cheap and cheerful lunch, I love Trattoria Sabbioneda da Romolo a third generation establishment, and the current owners are avid H.O.G.s. (Harley Davidson fans) The husband toiling in the open kitchen looks like an Italian version of Hulk Hogan. But don’t let his looks fool you. He is an artist, and his handmade ravioli with walnuts and gorgonzola in sage and brown butter sauces are to die for. Then I discovered Azzurra Grill –
which is minutes away from Melinda’s home and it’s so good, I’m going to write up my own tip on this neighbourhood gem. Stay tuned.

What would you say to people discovering/using the site for the first time?
The recommendations are reliable. Unlike other travel and restaurant review sites, there is no one with a stake in the success or failure of the places being talked about. The write ups are curated by like-minded and experienced people who truly know what is good. You can connect with them depending on your own lifestyle interests and preferences. No need to second guess anyone’s motives.

Who do you nominate for the next buzzhopper spotlight? Sara Mitterhofer in Milano, a smart, sassy and fun 20-something year old I met through Buzzhopper… parties, handbag shops, hidden cocktail bars and truffle bars, Sara knows them all.

Thanks Sam!
Make sure you check out her Buzzhopper profile for more about her… and some awesome tips of course!

Meet the Buzzhopper: Nicolò Grechi, Milano

Here we are – finally – in Italy! And what better timing than to have our “Meet the Buzzhopper” with Milano Resident Nicolò Grechi than during the city’s world famous Salone del Mobile? If you’re in Milano right now you’d do well to check out Nicolo “Fashionista” Grechi’s tips, and if not… well, read along for your next jaunt to Italy’s fashion capital perhaps to partake in the Expo opening soon.

Off we go!

Tell us a bit about yourself, what makes you a Buzzhopper?
I’m a twenty-something year old fashion design student studying to be a coutourier in the fashion epicenter of the world. I’ve been fortunate to travel quite extensively all my life and my travels have made me innately curious about anything new and different. My life philosophy is ‘go for it.’ I’m always up for the next spontaneous experience and adventure – in travel, eating, drinking – anything really. And I’m always sharing my discoveries and places with my network and friends so Buzzhopping comes to me naturally.
As – not so subtly – hinted in this intro to this chat, you have Fashionista as a Vibe. Tell us a bit about that!
Well, fashion has been a very big part of my life since I was very young – I’ve been sketching dresses and shoes since I was five years old! I eat, sleep and breathe fashion so there’s always a bit of ‘fashionista’ everywhere I go, and in everything I do. What I mean by “Fashionista” is a sense of creativity. Sometimes it can be a ‘place to be seen’ but above all I always seek out a sense of uniqueness and individuality in all of my Buzzhopper places. I love shopping and my friends often take me shopping as their personal style consultant. I admit I have on occasion, also been called a Fashion Nazi – for my sheer determination and persuasiveness in making my friends wear clothes and accessories I believe looks best on them. But I’m always right. Really!

What kind of things makes you say “this is a Buzzhopper place?”
Many friends say I’m a pain in the ass when it comes to choosing a place to go out. I prefer to refer to myself as ‘specific and selective!’ Regardless of price, I’m looking for quality and that touch of ‘difference’ in a place (whether it’s the food, drink or decor) – no normal, average places please! From trendy bars and clubs to cosy family run trattorias, there’s always a specific reason I return to a place and I’ll always think to myself– ‘I MUST bring my friends here’.
What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far (that you’ve used yourself and wouldn’t have discovered otherwise)
Buzzhopper Founder Melinda’s lobster linguine place in Milano. Even though I’m not a huge pasta fan I could eat this entire dish of lobster linguine alone – it’s really that good! However, a month ago I found out I’m gluten intolerant ruling out pasta and pizza, and to my surprise this place offers gluten-free dishes which is very uncommon in Italy. It’s called “pasta di riso senza glutine” (Editor’s note: gluten-free rice pasta for the Italian language challenged) and quite importantly is just as delicious as the real thing. The reason they offer gluten-free is because ‘la mamma’ is also intolerant so she ensures her sons (three of whom cook in the kitchen) always have some pasta dishes for her to taste on the menu, good boys! She suggested I order her favourite – pasta con gamberetti e fiori di zucca (pasta with shrimps and zucchini flowers) and it was to die for.

Lobster Linguine at Trattoria dei Raimondo

This is also a great place to come in a big group (as we always seem to), because you can share abundant plates of pasta and other dishes. The family vibe adds a nice homely touch and they’re always welcoming and friendly. And don’t forget la mamma’s homemade panna cotta to finish. A hot tip is to ensure you reserve a panna cotta as soon as you arrive as they’re often all gone by the time we get to dessert.

What would you say to people discovering/using the site for the first time?’  
Buzzhopper is perfect for planning an upcoming trip – whether you’re visiting a city for the first time or returning back again, you can look around on profiles and search to see which Buzzhoppers fit your interests and vibes – and you can pick out places/things to do in advance and something that’s really important whether you need to make reservations ahead of time. Snooping on someone else’s ready–made “collections” is also really useful for travel planning, it lays out peoples favourite activities in some otherwise big and overwhelming cities.
I also think it’s a great way to meet or connect with new and interesting people around the world and grow your network. If you like the sound of their profile and their places, you can connect and maybe even meet them one day. So if you like my Buzzhopper places or think that we’ll get along after you read my profile, don’t be shy – say ‘hi’!

Nominate a Buzzhopper you like for the next spotlight!
Samantha Marshall who’s already been nominated by Jana Sanchez in last week’s “Meet the Buzzhopper” gets my vote. She has some great tips I want to check out on my next trip to New York!

And that’s all folks! Make sure you check out Nicolò’s profile for great things to do in Milano!

Meet the Buzzhopper: Ant O’Neill, London

This week, we stayed in London for “Meet the Buzzhopper” following Gabriele’s nomination of man of mystery – and hyper prolific Buzzhopper – Ant! It’s really worth browsing his scores of tips for a chuckle and to check out his illustrations! Ant is also one of our Resident Artists and we’ll soon be uploading his London cityscape to the London tips page.

Off we go:

A bit about you Ant!
From my native Scotland untimely ripped, I’m a cartoonist, artist and (debatably) musician living in London. I’ve been lucky enough to do a fair bit of travelling, with the result being that in each new country I make new friends, try new cuisines… then come back to London craving said cuisines, so I go out looking for them. Then, those friends – by now heartily sick of their native food – come to London to visit and seek out new taste experiences, and guess whose shoulders that falls on? So I now have a hodgepodge collection of bars, restaurants and tourist attractions that can be seen and enjoyed without wading through a bunch of screaming unruly school kids on a class trip.

You have ‘in a wineglass of my own” as a Vibe, so what kind of places do you enjoy?
Wine Bars hold me in thrall, dying breed that they are. There’s a kind of faded glamour about them, as long as you define glamour as mid-‘80s Athena posters of that bird in the tennis costume scratching her arse / travel posters for countries that don’t exist anymore / wax-encrusted Chianti flasks. But invariably, you’re in the hands of experts. The likes of the Albertine in Shepherds Bush or Shampers in Kingly court – these are places that sell fantastic wines, many of which you’ll never have tried or seen before, and have friendly geniuses behind the bar to guide you through them. Plus, they’re the sort of places where you easily fall into conversation with whoever’s at the next table or stool.

What kind of things makes you say “this is a Buzzhopper place?”
This is a bugger of a question because it’s so hard to define. Take Gordon’s Wine Bar, for example. It’s hard to class it as a secret given that it’s always packed, and getting a table involves missile-crisis negotiating. But every visit feels like a special occasion, whether it’s from snaring a good seat and laying into the cheeseboard, or just sitting back with a glass of Oloroso and admiring the candelight. There’s nowhere else in the world like it. Or when you’re queuing up outside Meat Liquor and they trot out with a tray of fried pickles to keep you going – you know you’re onto a gem. But at the other end of the scale, even a maligned chain like JD Wetherspoon can throw up surprises, such as serving up haggis, neaps & tatties in the week before Burns Night for a fiver, with a drink included. It’s easy to sneer but this is quality stuff – McSweens’ haggis, no less – at a bargain price.

What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far, perhaps one that you’ve used yourself and wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
Hah, Taqueria by Jana Sanchez (editor’s note: Taqueria is definitely a great spot!) Don’t get me wrong, I love Tex-Mex in all its inauthentic glory and yes, I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve gone out to Lakeside for a fix of Taco Bell. Although I should be. But this- this is the real deal, proper Mexican, freshly made with quality ingredients, executed with a degree of expertise that would have the likes of Wahaca shuffling in the corner, looking at their shoes and mumbling “Don’t know, sir.”

What would you say to people discovering/using the site for the first time?
I think it’s important to recognise that the travel bug doesn’t have to end when you fetch up at a destination. I’ve known people who have jaunted all the way from Wagga Wagga, and then never ventured more than a kilometre from Earls Court Station. It doesn’t help that London in particular can be a bit tribal; you might need physical threats and sodium pentothal to convince a Stoke Newington resident to go to a soft launch in Clapham. But perseverance is usually rewarded (and don’t be ashamed to blag if your name isn’t on that list, chances are it was thrown together ten minutes ago by a disgruntled workie). Go with your gut instinct. Buzzhoppers are a savvy bunch, and they are sharing their most jealously-guarded secrets with you. Get in there before everyone else does.

Who do you nominate for the next “Meet the Buzzhopper?”
Let’s kick the focus back over the the Big Apple – I’m looking at you, Jana Sanchez.

Thanks Ant! If you’d like to know more about Ant and read up on some of his illustrated tips, head over to his profile.

Happy Buzzhopping!

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