Bellissimo! Milan was a stunning introduction to Italy! As one of the world's major fashion capitals, it is clear that Milan and the Milanese take pride in beauty. Modern to medieval, Milan has the sights and sounds worthy of a Vogue magazine cover.
She is Beauty, She is Grace
As the start of a gorgeous Italian tour, Milan had a lot to prove. And, let me tell you, Milan was the perfect appetizer. One day in Milan--just a taste of an iconic Italian city-- was prime time to spend here. As a big city gal myself, I found Milan to remind me of SoHo, NYC. Cleaner, yes, but with the same traffic and packed tourist attractions. This time, though, we were the tourists! We didn't hesitate to walk slowly, ooh and ahh at literally everything, and get lost in the streets of Milan.
We stayed a bit outside of city center near the Milano Centrale train station. The train station alone was a sneak peek into the pure artistry that lines Italian cities. Our little corner of Milan had a much more "downtown" feel to it, with shiny high rises and wide avenues. Walking to and from the train to the Airbnb to local eateries was a breeze. Unlike in Switzerland, we felt right at home using Milan's metro system.
Fun Fact: Milan's trams have been in operation since the 1920's!
While there was an adorable tram stop right in front of our Airbnb, we didn't get the chance to take a ride. We preferred the mosey through Milan's streets as the city dipped into aperitivo hour. Despite walking everywhere, Milan is just like New York City in that the best bars, restaurants, and activities are held close to the chests of the Milanese. If you're in Milan for more than 24 hours, I would absolutely recommend exploring some of Milan's local favorites away from the city's well-known tourist attractions.
A Metropolitan History Lesson
Our first and only full day in Milan was spent as nerdy tourists. We started our morning at a cafe, sipping on espresso and pastries across the street from Milan's Duomo. With only photos and movies in my head, the Duomo was utterly jaw-dropping. Architects simply do not do it like they did in medieval times. Countless gargoyles, painstakingly beautiful detail work, and the sheer size of this cathedral really make it obvious why medieval people were so pious.
With only a few steps across the street, you can step into modern times and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II. Chanel, Prada, Givenchy-- this alley is spilling with wealth and opulence. From the ceiling to the floor, this is a photo op you don't want to miss.
After wandering around for a bit, we moved on to another medieval beauty: Sforza Castle, home to da Vinci himself for a short stretch of time! Sfrorza was such a hidden gem tucked in a quieter part of Milan away from the hustle and bustle of city center. Stepping through the draw bridge and moat of this castle was like walking through an episode of Netlix's Medici. Sforza was so much larger inside than it looked outside. As we walked the castle grounds, I could see the ladies and lords, hear the merchants and civilians, and peer into the secrets that dot all ancient sites. This was my favorite part of Milan by far. Sforza Castle not only added to the charm of the city; it revealed a more humble, a little less glamorous side of the city that was just as breathtaking.
Aperitivo at Sunset
To end our first day in Italy, we spent the evening sipping on Aperol spritzes. How can you go to Italy and not have an Aperol spritz? Milan was a bittersweet end to my and bae's first ever baecation. I was off to Rome to meet my family for part two of my Italian tour, and he was flying back to New York City to restart reality. Part one of this dream of a vacation was ending, but as the sun set, we toasted to many more jam-packed adventures together!
To read about the start of our little European adventure, check out my Zurich blog!
If you’re gagging for more GTG, follow my IG at @girlstripglobal!