Each time we arrive in a new city, I face the familiar challenge of locating the ho(s)tel I booked for our stay. By now, getting lost is just part of the process. After some wandering, we finally found Hotel New Milan, though I hadn’t realized just how far off track we were. Thankfully, a kind Italian man, despite the language barrier, eagerly helped the poor me with excellent directions. God bless him.
Today has been a long and trying day - first, the tire ordeal in Èze, then the dull drive to Milano, followed by navigating traffic in the city, and, of course, getting lost once again. I’m completely exhausted. I didn’t even have the energy to sightsee properly around the Duomo, settling instead for just a few photos in downtown Milano before heading back to the hotel area.
One night at Hotel New Milan cost €76.50, with overnight parking at Autosilo Loreto for an additional €20. Earlier, Dad covered our lunch (€15.35) at Autogrill, Italy’s highway gas station-cum-rest stop. He also paid for the day’s tolls (€28.60) and Milan metro tickets (€6). Later in the evening, we had a Chinese dinner near the hotel (€27), which Dad also covered.
I’m grateful - but more than anything, I’m just relieved to be able to rest finally. Tomorrow will be better.
Above left: The Duomo; Above Right: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - a fancy shopping mall anchored by top brand names
Above right: The equestrian statue of King Victor Emmanuel II in Piazza del Duomo ~ a monument commemorating Italy’s first king after unification, erected in June 1864.
Above: The Duomo di Milano, or Milan Cathedral ~ a Gothic masterpiece whose construction began in 1386 and unfolded over six centuries, with its final details completed in 1965.
Above: The monument of Leonardo da Vinci in Piazza della Scala ~ sculpted by Pietro Magni in 1872 as a tribute to the Renaissance master. Leonardo worked in Milan for nearly two decades (1482–1499) under Ludovico Sforza, creating some of his most famous works, like The Last Supper.
Above: After enjoying a delicious Chinese dinner, we relaxed in the room and had yogurt for dessert.
The next morning, however, was a mess. Sometimes, no matter how much you hope for things to go smoothly, life has other plans - and today was one of those days.
First, we took the metro to Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie (Dad paid €6 for our round-trip tickets), only to find that tickets for Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper had been sold out for two weeks. Apparently, they must be reserved in advance (€6.50 each), so oh well!
Next, we thought we’d switch things up with a McDonald’s breakfast, only to discover that they didn’t serve it the American way - no McMuffins or hash browns, just sweet brioches and cappuccino. Mom was not happy. Dad picked up the tab (€6.60).
Still hungry, we tried our luck at the Chinese restaurant where we'd had dinner the night before, hoping for a proper breakfast - but it was closed. So, another oh well!
Finally, it took me forever to find the autostrade. I somehow ended up on the wrong highway, driving in the opposite direction… another BIG oh well!
Despite all these hiccups, by 10 AM, we were finally on our way to Switzerland - and you can bet I was more than ready to leave Italy behind.
Above right: Basilica Santa Maria delle Grazie
Above: Fragmented frescoes in the Basilica
Above left: A shame we couldn't see Leonardo Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' in person. The renowned mural painting is located in the convent's refectory (dining hall).
No comments:
Post a Comment