Interrail Journals #8: Day trip to Milan an Ode to Italy

Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Goya

In the morning, we leave Florence for Milan -the fashion-forward capital of Northern Italy-.

She greets you courteously but aloof like a true cosmopolitan city. It’s a nice change of pace that makes you appreciate what a multi-faceted country Italy truly is: From romantic Rome to charming Tuscany, to modern Milan, each with its own distinct flavour but all built around the very same core which unites them and makes them so authentically Italian. So much that, if Tuscany is a fresh out of the oven focaccia still giving off a warm fragrance of olive oil, Milan is like a cold crisp glass of white that goes perfectly with it.

Our first stop is yet another Duomo.. this time, Duomo di Milano. A lavish Gothic marvel, that is the architectural equivalent of a pair of white Jimmy Choo Avelines:

While (sadly) we don’t have the time to climb up today, I have read that you can actually see the Alps from its spires on a clear day.

Today we are doing a circular route, which means we will be ending our day here in Piazza Del Duomo anyway. So, we decide to postpone sightseeing and shopping in this beautiful square –home to some of Milan’s most important monuments including the cathedral– until later.

But not eating… As usual, eating comes first 🙂 So, we stop by Spontini for a thick slice of mind-blowing gooey goodness that sets us up for the rest of the day:

Afterwards, we head south, along with a large group of equally excited tourists, while the nonchalant Milanese seem to be enjoying their lunch break. Our walk takes us past the Columns of St. Lawrence (Colonne di San Lorenzo) before we go to Santa Maria delle Grazie to see The Last Supper.

QUICK TIP
It is no secret that seeing one of Da Vinci’s most influential – and perhaps even the most controversial – work is no easy feat, so I highly recommend that you to book in advance. If you were late to book however, you can try your luck with a city pass or city tour that includes a ticket to see The Last Supper.

We leave the convent basking in the golden afternoon sun and head back towards Piazza Del Duomo for some refreshing cocktails at Terrazza Duomo 21 and a little retail therapy at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

*The view from **Terrazza Duomo 21**: The most perfect place for people watching with a cocktail in hand*.

*The famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II*

After soaking in the beauty of the cathedral one last time, we make our way back to the station via the beautiful La Scala (Teatro alla Scala) with a delicious GROM ice cream in hand and leave the city to its rightful owners now leaving work and ready for the evening.