WHEN IN LONDON...

Dover Street Market: the best place to browse through avant-garde fashion in a market-like megastore.

Selfridges: a classic, huge, designer-based department store.

St. Cristopher's Place: for a surreal experience. Think walking on the busiest street of the city (that is, Oxford Street) and then suddenly turning into a small, peaceful lane. You'll think you've entered a magic world (there are also nice shops, from Mulberry to Marimekko).

Liberty's: as far as department stores go, this is a very luxurious and decadent one. I am in love with their stationery and flowers.

Maison Bertaux and Shop: located in SoHo, it's a patisserie upstairs, quirky independent boutique downstairs. and the clothes come in cake packaging.

Beyond the Valley: behind Carnaby Street, a small curiosity shop selling objects and fashion from young graduates.

Paul Smith: for the ultimate classics with a modern twist.

Borough Market: proably the best food market of the city, in an area surrounded by small cafès and restaurants (there is a small Paul Smith shop in the proximity of the market which is my favourite).

Shipp's Tearoom: drink tea from mismatched cups and plates, indulge in their homemade cakes and simply be amazed at the loveliness of the place (I suggest their scone with cream and strawberry jam).

Tate Modern: some interesting exhibitions from time to time, but if there's nothing on it's still nice to visit the building and spend a lot of money on small things from the bookshop.

The Design Museum: the museum is very good, of course, but you should also go for the river-front location, the design shop and the Conditor and Cook cakes at the cafè.

The Victoria and Albert Museum: affectionately called "V&A" by all, this museum has a must-visit fashion department, seasonal exhibitions and shop.

The Barbican: one of the most inspiring sets of buildings in the city (you'll want to move to one of the apartments), and a cultural center with a cinema and cutting-edge exhibitions.

The River: a walk on the river on a sunny day (either early morning or late afternoon), from the Tate to the London Eye is a must.

Cornucopia: sadly on its way to closure, this vintage shop located in the Pimlico area is run by an old man who's happy to help customers rummage through the many treasures this small and packed shop holds.

Rellik: still vintage, but with a completely different twist. This shop is big, luminous and its racks are neatly filled with designers' gems from decades past.

Magma: in the proximity of Covent Garden, two shops, one selling the best art and design books, the other selling a selection of products ranging from canvas bags to stationery to plates. For the design-maniacs.

Brick Lane: although the east London area it's becoming so overrated it's actually ridiculous, it is still interesting to go. On Sundays it is packed with tourists and wannabe-hipsters it's hard to walk through, but there are many more things than on weekdays: from markets selling young, independent designers' creations to vintage shops (try the neighboring Cheshire Street) to cutting-edge fashion. And the 24-hours bagel shop is probably the best place to eat with £2.

Camden: it might be clichè, but no visit to London is complete without a trip to Camden and some punk-sightseeing. I'd recommend getting lost in the Camden Lock, browsing through the most improbable items from neon disco clothes to life-sized wood statues.

Arancina: when walking to Portobello Road from Notting Hill Gate, in a sea of cheap takeaways and Starbuck's Coffe shops, this is a sight for sore eyes. Devoted to the typical Sicilian dish, this small cafè will catch your attention for the bright orange Fiat 500 in its window and the delicious-looking (i can assure the taste is as delicious) pizza.

Hummingbird Bakery: this might not be as exciting for New Yorkers as it is for us Londoners (after all, the idea came from your very own Magnolia Bakery), but this little jewel of a coffee shop sells the best icing-covered cakes of the city. I'd suggest the Kensington branch as it is less crowded, but if you are in the Portobello area and the crowds are making you sick, stop for a red velvet cupcake. Then, if you can make it, walk down the road to the Electric cinema: it's a beautiful building worth seeing.

Macaron: if you happen to take a trip down south to Clapham, this is a necessary destination. Think small french bakery with extremely creative cakes, classic macaroons and a wide selection of teas and chocolate. You might then want to take a walk and explore the area, after all it's home to British fashion queen Vivienne Westwood.

I also recommend The Lo-Fi Guide of London: a Lomo-photographed guide of the less obvious London.