Milan, Italy
My very first layover for 2010 is exactly the same as my first layover for 2009 - Milan, Italy. I was rostered for a flight to Beijing but I tried to get rid of it. Luckily, someone swapped it with me for Milan. I remember how unbearable the below freezing weather was in Milan last year, so I layered up more this time. I originally didn’t have any plans for Milan since I’ve already been to the major tourist spots there before, but Italy is one country that I love revisiting. On the flight going to Milan, I was just thinking of where to have my pizza and pasta, and if I could bear eating gelato in the cold. Suddenly, I realized I haven’t been up to the Duomo rooftop yet. Long ago, I saw my sister’s pictures on the Duomo’s roof and I was really impressed, but somehow I just completely forgot about it. The past 2 times I’ve been to Milan, I went to the Duomo but never bothered to go up. Good thing that I remembered! It got me really excited that I actually had something new to check out.
We arrived in Milan in the evening, and I was pondering on whether I should still go to the Piazza Duomo so I could see the Christmas tree all lit up. I decided against it since it was already late and I was already quite tired. Plus it might be too cold at night! Anyway, a lot of the crew mentioned how delicious the room service pizza was in our hotel, so I ordered one before I went to bed. Sad to say, it was a disappointment. Anyway, the next day, I had lunch at the Galleria and the pizza and pasta were quite good. And because a trip to Italy would never be complete without gelato, I still had 2 scoops even though it was already freezing outside. I know it’s crazy, but I really just had to have some. Ü
Buongiorno, Milano! There are lots of pigeons at the Piazza Duomo, and you can feed them just like in Venice. But I stayed away from those people who try to put seeds on your hand so the birds will flock to you, and then rudely demand for you to pay up. It happened to us last year even though we kept saying no. Next time, I’ll bring my own seeds. Anyway, I love how the pigeons here were caught in the picture.
The Duomo di Milano from a different angle :)
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Inside the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral)
Here’s the door to the Cathedral. There must be some superstition about those parts of the door’s carvings that have already discolored due to everyone touching them, but I’ve no idea. I wonder what it means to touch the knees, leg, hands…
This is the Christmas tree that I wanted to see lit up at night!
To go up the Duomo rooftop, you can either use the stairs or the elevator, which I think costs a little more. We came across the stairs first, so that’s what we took. It was a long, really narrow and steep walk up and I was already panting midway. Had I known it would be like that, I would’ve preferred to take the elevator. Anyway, when we finally reached the top and I saw the countless spires, I went WOW!! Bellisimo!
The roof of the Duomo had such amazing design!
The spires and sculptures were just spectacular! It’s good that they let people go up the Duomo’s roof, otherwise such wonderful, detailed works of art would be unappreciated. From here, you can also see the Galleria and the busy Piazza below.
On the very top of the Duomo is the Madonnina, a statue of the Virgin Mary.
The front part of the Duomo’s roof
We had lunch in one of the restaurants inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. I’ve always loved the glass roof of this arcade. (I look like I’m wearing a Christmas bow on my head here. Hehe.)
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Take 2!
I’ve been up since midnight today, so I have to sleep soon. Ciao!
We arrived in Milan in the evening, and I was pondering on whether I should still go to the Piazza Duomo so I could see the Christmas tree all lit up. I decided against it since it was already late and I was already quite tired. Plus it might be too cold at night! Anyway, a lot of the crew mentioned how delicious the room service pizza was in our hotel, so I ordered one before I went to bed. Sad to say, it was a disappointment. Anyway, the next day, I had lunch at the Galleria and the pizza and pasta were quite good. And because a trip to Italy would never be complete without gelato, I still had 2 scoops even though it was already freezing outside. I know it’s crazy, but I really just had to have some. Ü
Buongiorno, Milano! There are lots of pigeons at the Piazza Duomo, and you can feed them just like in Venice. But I stayed away from those people who try to put seeds on your hand so the birds will flock to you, and then rudely demand for you to pay up. It happened to us last year even though we kept saying no. Next time, I’ll bring my own seeds. Anyway, I love how the pigeons here were caught in the picture.
The Duomo di Milano from a different angle :)
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Inside the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral)
Here’s the door to the Cathedral. There must be some superstition about those parts of the door’s carvings that have already discolored due to everyone touching them, but I’ve no idea. I wonder what it means to touch the knees, leg, hands…
This is the Christmas tree that I wanted to see lit up at night!
To go up the Duomo rooftop, you can either use the stairs or the elevator, which I think costs a little more. We came across the stairs first, so that’s what we took. It was a long, really narrow and steep walk up and I was already panting midway. Had I known it would be like that, I would’ve preferred to take the elevator. Anyway, when we finally reached the top and I saw the countless spires, I went WOW!! Bellisimo!
The roof of the Duomo had such amazing design!
The spires and sculptures were just spectacular! It’s good that they let people go up the Duomo’s roof, otherwise such wonderful, detailed works of art would be unappreciated. From here, you can also see the Galleria and the busy Piazza below.
On the very top of the Duomo is the Madonnina, a statue of the Virgin Mary.
The front part of the Duomo’s roof
We had lunch in one of the restaurants inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. I’ve always loved the glass roof of this arcade. (I look like I’m wearing a Christmas bow on my head here. Hehe.)
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Take 2!
I’ve been up since midnight today, so I have to sleep soon. Ciao!