Milan

This time we travel on the Frecciarossa, the top of the train tree in Italy. They can go faster, but Tony did observe speeds of 295 km/h (the carriages have a speedo) as we smoothly covered over 300 km in a little over 2 hours with several stops.
Our apartment is an easy walk from the station in the Porta Nuova area. It is in a relatively modern block of apartments in a residential area. Newly refurbished, it is compact but everything works very well. We find an open convenience store for the essentials. Dinner out tonight is at a really nice pizzeria, Ristorante Pizzeria Lántro della Sibilla. As antipasto we had zucchini flowers.
Monday 20th October we start the working week with a ‘free’ walking tour starting near the Duomo. We catch the Metro there. Easy to navigate, you pay for your ticket by tapping a credit card before and after the journey. Not expensive. Each trip costs a little over a euro.
The tour is a little disappointing. Simon, our guide, is easy to understand but seems to have been doing it for too long. Also the group is huge. Over 40 people. Takes 2 hours total. We stop at the main sights: the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, some Roman ruins, the narrowest street in Milan, the stock exchange, Teatro alla Scala, while Simon gives us explanations. During the tour the promised rain starts before the forecast 12 noon. Not too bad as the owner of our apartment had left an umbrella for her guests, which we have the foresight to take with us. The rain manages to dissuade us from much more walking around.
Simon did give us some interesting facts about Milan: it is the financial centre of Italy and the most prosperous manufacturing and commercial Italian city. It is also Italy’s stylish metropolis. The Duomo took nearly 6 centuries to complete and is one of the largest gothic cathedrals in the world. At the top is the golden statue of the Madonnina, the crowning glory of the cathedral. Milan is the birthplace of the aperitivo. Despite the hustle and bustle of the city, there are many parks. La Scala is one the most famous opera houses in the world. Opera season starts soon. Unfortunately, we’re a little too early to go to an opera this trip.
We have a look through Rinascente, a very large department store right next to the Duomo. Lots of Christmas gifts and decorations already in the store. Big rooftop restaurant looking right at the Duomo across the street. Worthwhile view but no lunch for us. We find a local cheapie instead.
Dinner tonight is fun and different. The restaurant is one of several in Milan called Mannarino. It looks like a butcher’s shop but has lots of tables and chairs and is very, very busy on this rainy Monday night. Obviously very popular with the Milanese. Our waiters were young and lively. Complimentary crostini appetisers. The food was cooked nicely and was good quality. After we had finished, our waiter plonked down 3 icy cold flasks with glasses on the table. Limoncello, grappa and raspberry liqueur. Also complimentary. What do you do? Try one? Drink the lot? We had possibly a little too much limoncello and Tony tried the raspberry liqueur.
On our last full day in Italy we first catch up with Barbara, a friend of Elena’s and her son, Niccolò. He is planning to come to Tasmania in January to work in agriculture. He has just finished university. We have a lovely morning coffee at Pasticceria Bastianello, an institution in Milan, which started trading one year before Tony was born. Then Barbara and Niccolò show us around Milan’s premier shopping district, near San Babila. Afterwards we visit Pinacoteca di Brera, a massive art gallery containing massive pictures. It was established in 1809 and has become a museum which hosts the most important art works from all areas conquered by the French Armies. Unlike other famous galleries, it did not start out as a private collection by a nobleman or a prince, but was the result of a deliberate government decision. It is mainly a collection of religious paintings. We grabbed a very expensive panino (it’s simply a sandwich) while waiting for our ticket time.
Niccolò had suggested we visit the CityLife district at Porta Nuova to look at the new tall buildings. Tony particularly wanted to see the Vertical Forest building. This is not far from our apartment so we walked there. Brand new buildings and surrounds which reminded us very much of Canary Wharf in London. The buildings showcase unique architectural styles and are all known for their sustainability. Totally different from what you see in other Italian cities.
Our last meal in Milan is dinner near our ‘home’. Once again nice food enlivened by a humorous young waiter.
What we particularly like about Milan is the lively night life. In the evenings there are people out everywhere, in restaurants and bars and walking around. Not like most cities at home.
Tomorrow we have a flight to catch as we begin the long journey home, starting with a very early alarm. Isn’t international travel fun!Read more