As life-changing as this year has been for us, it hasn’t come without some struggles. Perhaps the biggest struggle of them all has been transporting our 4 suitcases through airports, train stations, and cobblestone streets.
However, we’ve had a few times where the stars align and we manage to have an extremely stress-free travel day!
When we left Interlaken on our way to Milan, we took perhaps the most beautiful bus ride available in Europe! The winding roads through the mountains gave us incredible views of the Swiss countryside all the way down.
As an added bonus, we didn’t even realize that the bus route drove right along Lake Como!
We have enjoyed buses as a mode of travel because it makes it much easier with our luggage stored below. We have had some treacherous experiences with the large suitcases on trains, as we sometimes have no other option besides putting them on the overhead rack.
Despite being a little bumpy at times, the bus down from Switzerland was absolutely stunning, and a perfect farewell to one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
With that said, Italy is no slouch either when it comes to beauty!
Our first stop was Milan, the fashion capital of Europe.
This is a city that I have been to once before, and have a particular fondness towards.
I honestly can’t even explain why. I just love the pace of this city. It is truly the Italian New York. Everyone is always on the go, and the nightlife is world-renowned.
My favorite aspect of Milan’s social scene is not the glitz and glamour of the clubs on Corso Como. It is actually the emphasis on hanging out in public.
There are two areas in particular where people gather, perhaps equipped with a bottle of wine, some beers, or an Aperol spritz, and just take in the night.
The first is the columns of San Lorenzo in front of the San Lorenzo Basilica. This public square, surrounded by ACTUAL Roman ruins and a statue of Constantine, provides an incredibly unique setting for socializing.
And people will stay here. All night! There are also a few bars just around the square if supplies run low, and some of Milan’s best restaurants are just down the street.
It is a perfect place to start the night, end the night, or spend the night! The possibilities are endless.
The other area that attracts a similar type of crowd is the “Darsena”, a walkway along Milan’s largest canal. It is not uncommon to join some friends and spend all night sitting on the water’s edge.
The neighborhood of Navigli has canals that run through it, and legend has it that Leonardo Da Vinci actually had input in the design of these waterways!
Since Milan is a landlocked city, the canals opened up more possibilities for trade and transport.
Nowadays, these canals are jam packed with bars and restaurants, many of which specialize in offering aperitivo, which was one of our favorite discoveries!
Aperitivo is essentially a happy hour where, if you buy a slightly overpriced cocktail, you gain access to an array of snacks and appetizers.
We did aperitivo both nights in Milan, and it was between 12 to 15 euros a person each time. Considering the surprising amount of food that comes with the cocktail, it is actually quite the deal!
While the food and the nightlife are certainly some of Milan’s best features, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the stunning architecture.
Milan is home to, in my opinion, one of the top 5 most beautiful buildings in Europe.
The Milan Cathedral, “duomo” in Italian, is one of the most visually striking structures I have ever seen. The exterior is made from marble, and the intricate detail on every inch of this masterpiece is a true marvel of human achievement.
We bought tickets to go on the roof of the cathedral, which I highly recommend! For only 14 euros, you can get an up-close look at all of the ornate spires and sculptures. Plus, it is an incredible 360 degree view of the city.
Milan is a place where many worlds collide. It is home to artists, technology developers, fashion moguls, and the Italian stock exchange finance hub.
Perhaps the best and funniest example of this clash of worlds is the “il Dito” sculpture that sits right in front of one of the country’s largest bank branches.
I’m sure I don’t have to explain how the sculptor, Maurizio Catellan, feels about the corruption of the Italian bankers and hedge fund managers.
The sculpture is a very clear message to the overall concept of greed, and I think it is a fantastic work of art! If only we had one on Wall Street!
Milan is not the most outwardly Italian city, but it is still one of my favorite places here! The clash of modern and classic is so finely tuned, and the concoction of art, fashion, finance, and ancient history is stirred to perfection.
We are now making our way further down the Italian peninsula towards the famous region of Tuscany. More on that down the line!
I would need a 2 day recovery from this stop.