It's been an eventful beginning to our holiday trip! After my exam yesterday, Conner and I ate a quick lunch before heading to the Dublin Airport. Our flight left at 6 and we arrived in Milan at about 9 Italy time. We took a bus to central station, which took about an hour and finally reached our hotel by 11! It was a long day yesterday after studying all morning, taking my last final, and all the traveling, but well worth the experience already that we've had in Italy.
I couldn't be more excited to be sharing such an amazing trip with my best friend. Visiting beautiful and amazing places is that much better when you're with your loved ones.
We got up early this morning and set out to conquer our list of must dos while in Milan. We had a breakfast of espresso and a croissant before first heading to Duomo Square where the Milan Cathedral is located. It was early in the morning and the sun was rising from behind the cathedral and it was absolutely stunning. I can't wrap my mind around European architecture. The beauty and intricate details are incredible. We toured the cathedral before walking through all the Christmas markets that surrounded the square. Mulled mine, candied fruit, meats and cheeses, and all sorts of crafts filled the booths and Christmas music resonated through the air. I love this time of year! We then headed to Castello Sforzesco to walk through and around the grounds and park behind it. It was stunning! The medieval history is so interesting to ponder when you look around at all the modern activity surrounding such a place.
Next we went Santa Maria delle Grazie, then the Basillica di Sant' Ambrogio which are both other cathedrals in the city. They were both stunning. We then went to the Colonne di San Lorenzo, which are ancient ruins in the middle city from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. There was also another cathedral there that we visited.
After traversing the length of the city to see all of these incredible places, we went back to the markets to grab some lunch. We had fresh panzerottis (which are like little calzones) from the venders. They were delicious and are a well-known Italian food. Then we had to get some gelato to enjoy on such a beautiful day. The sky was blue and the sun was out. We enjoyed our gelato in the square as more and more people filled the streets and sidewalks.
Milan is the fashion capital of Italy so for the afternoon we went window shopping (because we are on a travelers budget, ya know). There are some of the most expensive stores on nearly every street in the city center. It was crazy, and cool, to see such a different lifestyle with women walking in heels and fur coats with Louis Vuitton bags and seeing Ferraris driving down the street. We did a lot of people watching and walking throughout our day.
For dinner I had pizza, of course, and Conner had lasagne. Italian food is indeed better in Italy. I had the best pizza with fresh mozzarella, eggplant, and Parmesan. After dinner we walked through all the Christmas lit streets enjoying the Christmas music and window displays while on our way back to the hotel.
We've planned our day tomorrow and I'm excited for our next stop: Florence!
[Pictures to come! And more will follow after we are settled from our travels! :) ]
I couldn't be more excited to be sharing such an amazing trip with my best friend. Visiting beautiful and amazing places is that much better when you're with your loved ones.
We got up early this morning and set out to conquer our list of must dos while in Milan. We had a breakfast of espresso and a croissant before first heading to Duomo Square where the Milan Cathedral is located. It was early in the morning and the sun was rising from behind the cathedral and it was absolutely stunning. I can't wrap my mind around European architecture. The beauty and intricate details are incredible. We toured the cathedral before walking through all the Christmas markets that surrounded the square. Mulled mine, candied fruit, meats and cheeses, and all sorts of crafts filled the booths and Christmas music resonated through the air. I love this time of year! We then headed to Castello Sforzesco to walk through and around the grounds and park behind it. It was stunning! The medieval history is so interesting to ponder when you look around at all the modern activity surrounding such a place.
Next we went Santa Maria delle Grazie, then the Basillica di Sant' Ambrogio which are both other cathedrals in the city. They were both stunning. We then went to the Colonne di San Lorenzo, which are ancient ruins in the middle city from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. There was also another cathedral there that we visited.
After traversing the length of the city to see all of these incredible places, we went back to the markets to grab some lunch. We had fresh panzerottis (which are like little calzones) from the venders. They were delicious and are a well-known Italian food. Then we had to get some gelato to enjoy on such a beautiful day. The sky was blue and the sun was out. We enjoyed our gelato in the square as more and more people filled the streets and sidewalks.
Milan is the fashion capital of Italy so for the afternoon we went window shopping (because we are on a travelers budget, ya know). There are some of the most expensive stores on nearly every street in the city center. It was crazy, and cool, to see such a different lifestyle with women walking in heels and fur coats with Louis Vuitton bags and seeing Ferraris driving down the street. We did a lot of people watching and walking throughout our day.
For dinner I had pizza, of course, and Conner had lasagne. Italian food is indeed better in Italy. I had the best pizza with fresh mozzarella, eggplant, and Parmesan. After dinner we walked through all the Christmas lit streets enjoying the Christmas music and window displays while on our way back to the hotel.
We've planned our day tomorrow and I'm excited for our next stop: Florence!
[Pictures to come! And more will follow after we are settled from our travels! :) ]