We decided to explore Milano and see the key tourist sights. We had seen some of them the night before near La Scala. We walked, instead of taking the taxi. Busy streets with many cars, scooters and motorcycles. You have to be very diligent in crossing the crosswalks as the vehicles won't always stop.
Came across some Roman ruins and other ancient history on the walk to the shopping Lana has been looking forward to for a few days. When we arrived at the Piazza del Duomo the place was full of people. Again, this Gothic Cathedral is gigantic! Lana could not go into the church interior as her white tee shirt dress was judged to be too short even though it was just above the knee. Too bad, as the interior of this edifice cannot be described in words. So huge, yet full of smaller more intimate spaces. Many beautiful stained glass windows, dark foreboding crypt in the basement, famous people buried and a ceiling that must have been hard to complete. It is many hundreds of years old. No charge to enter, but some of the sights inside required a fee.
Lana waited outside in the piazza and watched which other females were turned away. The guy was fairly consistent though. Plenty of shopping opportunities in this area. In fact, many people will come to Milano just to shop at the high label stores and other shopping. In addition, Milano is known as the business capital of Italia. Lots of female and some male shoppers carrying their bags. Lana had two destinations; Alexander McQueen and Brunello Cucinelli. We had a good map provided by the hotel and a route to follow provided by their concierge. In this particular area of designer stores, you can smell the money and see the wealthy ladies shopping there (why are we there?). Regrettably, she could not find her black sweater dress at Brunello Cucinelli. To be noted his second store on the same street was not open between 1 -> 2 pm...
FROM LANA: In all the shops in Milano the service can be described in two words "snot" and "ty".
Happy owner of a new bracelet!
We walked some more in the shopping area and decided we would walk a fair distance to The Sforza Castle which has a huge park in the rear of the huge castle area (Parco Sempione). The castle has a huge fountain in front where Lana enjoyed dipping her feet like the other tourists to cool off in the heat. Very relaxing as it was a good remedy for a hot day in the direct sun. This is Lana without her umbrella as well! ;-)
Parco Sempione
There was a huge edifice that you can see below at the very rear. It was a long walk in and out of the shade on dirt walks through the trees and by a huge pond with fish in it. Many young couples snuggling and necking in the grass and under the trees. Plus, some guys sleeping on the park benches. It was good in the shade, but the long walk was worth it. This is a monster arch that was originally built to celebrate Napoleon's victory over the Italians and then his occupation of Italy. It was later changed to be the "Arch of Peace."
Decided to walk a different route back to our hotel. Good to see other parts of Milano. Plus, stopped at a local small supermarket and bought a couple of bottles of Italian red wine; Chianti and a Nebbiolo d'Alba. Both bottles less than 10 Euro each so a great deal. Plus, can't buy them in Vancouver. Close to our hotel, we stopped at a pizzeria for two small pizzas by the piece. You don't pay for the piece, you pay for the total weight. Back to the room with our pizza. Opened a bottle of Italian Asti sparkling wine to mix with soda water and voila our own spritzers! Sat in our room, eating our pizza and drinking our spritzers. Something light before we eventually get out again for a nice Italian dinner in the neighbourhood. The air conditioning is perfect!
Eventually, downstairs to book our taxi for the one hour trip to the airport via taxi. We are not taking the subway train in Milano! Also, asked for a recommendation for a good Milanese Italian restaurant. Her recommendation ended up being an excellent Italian meal!
First stop was to take pictures of a gelato combined flavour that Lana loves: Fig mascarpone with caramel. We showed up to actually buy some after our Italian dinner.
We discovered that you could not eat at a table along the Navigli canal. You could only order drinks. We were escorted inside to Ristorante el Brellin for an authentic Milanese dinner. The place was not overly formal and full of Italians so that was a good omen. Lana ordered osso buco with risotto milanese and I had their tasting menu. This was comprised of three courses; starter of a single "raviolone" filled with sheep cottage cheese and yolk, then the main course of steak tartare alternated with "frattau" bread with buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and rocket salad and the dessert course was roll crispy on the inside with apples, pine seeds, raisin, cream and soft fruits. We ordered a 1/2 bottle of red Lombardia wine (Castello di Grumel Valcalepio Rossi). They provided a free sparkling wine to start. Wow, Lana described her dish as "one of the best osso buco" she has ever enjoyed. My tasting menu was tasty, well presented and interesting in taste and textures. Yummy! The dessert was a surprise as I hadn't anticipated the Italians knew how to make good pastry, but they did and the filling was incredibly delicious and healthy with the fruits. Service was prompt and food delivery timely. One of the best meals on our trip so far.
Lana's osso buco with risotto.
What a beautiful night outside. We stopped at the gelato place so Lana could order her gelato.
After eating the gelato it was time to take a picture of macaron flavoured gelato. Lana's favourite cookie is macaron. She dragged me all over Manhattan one day as it was macaron day in a couple of neighbourhoods!
Jazz band playing beside the canal. Pretty decent!
Back to our hotel room around 9 pm. It is still warm outside as we walked along the canal and made it back to our room. An enjoyable day in Milano. Too bad we could not spend more time here, but tomorrow we are off to Paris. We fly out of Malpensa airport at 11:45 am.
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