They say everywhere you go, always take the weather with you! We certainly did. We woke to blankets of grey cloud. Leon popped out to get us pastry’s and coffee for breakfast while I packed us back up, ready for our day in Milan, and train onwards to Colico.
We headed onto the Metro to get a train into the city centre. (Red line to Duomo – the huge cathedral!)
We we certainly didn’t need to look for the cathedral. The moment we surfaced from the metro, there it was, BOOM! In your far cathedral, gothic spires galore.
As the air had a fine mist of rain, we took shelter in the grand galleria arcade, full of expensive Italian designers, names in gold on a black background, ornate mosaics on the floor, and cement eagles that looked precariously placed high around the dome, and Roman fresco semi circles between.
We then walked out the back of the galleria, it had 4 exits, one at each wall. After a short stroll, we found a church under renovation, draped in its own image on the outside of the scaffolding. It really was hard to tell which bits were real building through netting, and which bits were this illusion! Inside, clearly catholic, with huge silver and gold swinging incense dongs (none in today!). We enjoyed a short sit in the gothic chapel shown below.
Onwards we went, and found a small cafe for a coffee, wee and water bottle top up.
We then went to find the Sforzesco castle, which had turrets and a grassy ex-moat. Originally from 1250 and rebuilt in 1500’s. People were queuing inside to enter a garish mirrored cube, and a ginormous neon yellow set of steps. Incongruously placed in the old walls of the castle.
We then walked to a district called Brera, an artsy, off the beaten track vibe with small lanes and galleries/ indie shops. We found a building to go in (Pinacoteca di Brera), which had students learning many different art forms, many huge white statues, and a botanical garden which was still to see spring to breathe life back into it.
We decided to slowly walk back to the centrale station, and find something to eat along the way, and rest our weary shoulders from the backpacks.
I was taking a photo of the grates on all the paths in Milan, which are a sheet drop underneath, and I wasn’t wonderfully fond of walking on them. During this photo, we happened upon Poke House, which strangely enough, sold poke! Keen for some veg and nutrition, we chose this place to get a chicken poke bowl, and Leon chose me a rhubarb and berry soda, which was scrumptious!!
We continued walking and took the scenic route through a park, with a slightly underwhelming fountain.
We also joyfully found a DM store (Italia) which is one of our fave German shops! It surpassed expectations, as it had all our fave things in from Germany, including Figaro’s German cat biscuits!!!
Very satisfied with ourselves, we entered Milano Centrale (def better at night, but still grand!) and located the loos. €1.20, and gave no change, so I would have had to give it €2!! Absolutely not. I hobbled cross legged across to McDonalds and pleasingly went for free. Leon had expertly chosen some macarons which I must say, were the most delish macarons ever! So soft and chewy. Ready for our train journey now, 1hr 25min to Colico, up the east side of lake Como, and hopefully some stunning scenery to come.