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What Were Our First Impactful and Memorable Moments in Milan?
Upon finally landing in Italy, after the debacle of airline shenanigans that we endured, we had to get our rental car and find our way to our hotel. None of us slept well on the flight, so the first order of business was food and a nap, haha!
I will say that I got this travel set ahead of the flight, and it was very much worth it. The blankets they give you are so scratchy, and this was soft and made the flight much more comfortable. If you are heading out on a long-haul flight, you should consider buying one.
What Did We Do?
The sightseeing was minimal that day. We checked out a grocery store and got some snacks (LIDL, which is like our Aldi), and grabbed lunch. That night we went to Pizzeria II Ponte for dinner, which was tucked away on a side street. The price was low, and the food was so good for a first full Italian meal.
When I say that cheese hits differently in Italy, I’m not kidding. I don’t think you can find anything in the USA that compares to what you get there.
What Were Our First Impactful and Memorable Moments in Milan?
Out of all the questions I have and will answer in my life, this one is by far the easiest. I can say with 100% certainty, right off the top of my head, without hesitation, that this was my first impactful and memorable moment in Milan.
Prepare To Be Amazed
The Duomo Cathedral. Part of its charm is how you get there with the public transportation system. When you get off the subway and walk up the stairs, this is the view you are presented with immediately. It’s enough to make you gasp in amazement. The intricacy of the exterior has you looking at every detail as you stand there in awe. Thankfully, it’s in a large open plaza, so there’s space to openly gape at the architecture and beauty without being a nuisance.
And then you go inside for another one of the top memorable moments in Milan.
If you thought the outside was gorgeous, your mind will be blown by the beauty within the cathedral.
Other Top Places To See
However, Milan is filled with many beautiful gems. One of the things we really wanted the opportunity to see was The Last Supper. Getting tickets to see it is a process, and you have to monitor their website until they release spots. Thankfully, with diligent monitoring, I was able to secure the chance to take in this famous and important painting.
Do you know how incredible the experience of seeing this in person is? It’s something you don’t want to miss out on if you are given the opportunity. Definitely one of the most memorable moments in Milan for any visitor.
Learning about the great lengths that were taken to preserve this painting during wartime was intriguing. This painting has always meant a lot to people, and we wouldn’t have it today if not for the efforts of those who packed sandbags around it when destruction was taking place all around.
Across the street from the Duomo is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a large shopping center. I couldn’t tell you what stores are there outside of the gelato shop we went to because I was busy looking at the interior design.
Say “Hi” To Leo!
Outside of the Galleria is a statue of Leonardo Da Vinci. Around it are a few benches, and it’s a nice place to walk through as you go to the shops or walk a dog. Speaking of which, there is no shortage of dogs anywhere in Italy. Pets go everywhere with their humans, including restaurants. On our last night in Milan, we went to a nice restaurant near our hotel. Someone came in with their dog, and the waiter immediately brought over a water bowl for it!
We only had two nights in Milan before moving on to Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. However, the city had a lasting impact on us. Out of all the cities we went to in Italy, Milan was one of my favorites. I felt safe and at ease walking through the streets and using public transportation. In addition, the subway was the cleanest I have ever seen and was really easy to use.
Things To Do
If you have a trip to Milan on your mind, you won’t want to miss out on:
- The Duomo Cathedral (at sunrise and sunset)
- The Last Supper
- The Galleria
- Sforza Castle
- Arco Della Pace
Family Friendly Eating
The restaurants we visited were a blend of traditional Italian and American.
- Trattoria San Filippo Neri – This was our first stop due to it being right across the street and us being hungry. Make sure you know at least a few Italian words when you visit!
- La Meraviglie – Our last night in Italy, we came here, and it was so good! They are so good with kids there too.
- Pizzeria II Ponte – This stop gave us some authentic Italian food for a great price.
- Mr. Moussa – This cafe and sandwich shop had huge portions that were incredible and well-priced!
- McDonald’s – Don’t judge. They have the crispy ranch snack wraps in Italy.
- Venchi – Gelato. Don’t leave without trying it!
Milan Hotel
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn North Milan. Make sure you put an accurate guest count in each room. Europe takes it seriously, and you can be turned away or kicked out if they find out you lied.
The hotel was great. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a pool. However, the breakfast was the best I’ve had at a hotel. Additionally, the rooms were spacious, and the bathrooms were large. I would recommend it 8 out of 10!
Memorable and Impactful Moments
Our time in Milan was incredible and was a great kick-off to our time in Italy. The city is beautiful and offers so much for individuals and families to do during their stay. So where were we off to next? Wait and see!
