ITALY
2 days in Milan
ilan was the starting point and the last stop on our Italy tour. We had 2 full days so we had to see everything. Thankfully, it's an easy city that gives you a nice introduction to the country and its lively vibes.
Duomo took nearly 6 centuries to complete - construction began in 1386, and the final details were completed in 1965
On our first stay we rented a lovely flat through AirBnB right across Duomo. The building was old but the flat was nice and clean and the host was great.
The Duomo is a whole experience on its own that will make you pause in awe, whether you’re wandering around on the roof or observing the details around the inner hall. Dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary, the cathedral took nearly 6 centuries to complete – construction began in 1386, and the final details were completed in 1965. It is the largest church in the Italian Republic and one of largest in the world.
Then go through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and I dare you to try and take a picture without people around. You can only add them to your concept. The Galleria is Italy’s oldest active shopping mall with the biggest brands housed in it.
Nearby there’s Cioccolati Italiani, because you’re not really in Italy unless you’re eating gelato. It’s one of the most popular gelaterias in Milan, so queues should be long, but we went for it in late afternoon and it was not that bad. I had Sicily lemon and strawberry, on a cone with dark chocolate and nuts and inside the cone I had liquid white chocolate, Definitely one of the best I ever had. If you want a simpler, tasty gelato, go to Gelateria Ambrosiana which is right in front of the Duomo. As expected I visited both.
Enjoy an Aperol at Terrazza Aperol that oversees the Duomo but be prepared to have your drink standing up – or be quick enough to grab a seat as soon as someone leaves. The best time to order Aperol Spritz in Italy is aperitivo hour which is actually a couple of hours, usually between 7 pm and 9pm.
For art, there’s Fondazione Prada with some interesting installations like ”Giant Mushroom Upside Down Sculptures” by Carsten Holler and some of the Atlas exhibition. We didn’t have access to much but some of the permanent collections, and other than a few exceptions it wasn’t my cup of tea. BUT, in the premises you will find Bar Luce, the cafe designed by Wes Anderson and it truly is a gem (and with decent prices).
I don’t want this post to get too long so I’ll just add a few more spots for food and drink. On our return to Milan we stayed in this flat, not very central but amazingly detailed, clean and spacious with a super friendly host.
LuBar for a Garden of Eden’s styled cafe for a nice breakfast. The menu includes Acai bowls and special sandwiches. If you want iced coffee ask for Shakerato. It’s not your Freddo Espresso, but it’s good.
Pizzium or Little Italy for amazing pizzas. On Pizzium we had one pizza with mozzarella, dried sausage, ricotta and black pepper and one pizza with provolone cheese, porchetta ham and baked potatoes. Both without tomato sauce and that was a bold choice. Little Italy was a seemingly tiny restaurant but looks can be deceiving. I had pizza with meatballs… possibly one of the best pizzas I had. Recommended, highly.
