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  • Day trip to Lake Como

    Day trip to Lake Como

    Next morning, we made our way to Milano Nord Cadorna station and head towards Lake Como. We alighted at Como Nord Lago after an hour train ride. Trains run regularly from Milan to Como. However, there are 3 stations here (Como San Giovanni, Como Nord Lago, and Como Nord Borghi) which may add to the confusion. Como Nord Lago station is nearer to the waterfront. And what awaits us are Italy’s beautiful Lake District and the lakeside town of Como. Lake Como is one of Europe’s largest lakes surrounded by picturesque villages hugging the shore and great-looking mountainous scenery. It’s a nice change as compared to Milan’s urban jungle. The idyllic and dreamy surroundings are truly captivating.

    Now, if only we have (lots of) spare cash to splurge on a villa overlooking the lake like our dear friend George. It’s reported that Clooney owns three beautiful villas on the lakeside, eh George, why didn’t you reply to my request for a retreat in one of them huh? George didn’t respond so I made a check on the rates of Villa d’Este, one lakefront hotel which was converted from a villa. A night stay in its Double Bedrooms would knock 700 Euros off my bank account. Wow…thanks but no thanks, for now.

    Great view of Lake Como

    No Lack of shopping around Lake Como

    Just like other popular tourist attractions in Italy, the lakeside town is not short of shopping places with the presence of designers’ boutiques. Foxtown Outlets Mall is located across the Swiss border and within an hour bus ride for keen shoppers. The rates of Swiss Franc weren’t favourable back then so we gave it a miss.

    Shopping around Lake Como

    Around the lake

    Bird and Water

    But silk products are what Como most famous for. We saw clothing, ties, scarves and some home furnishings stuff. Be prepared to pay for their high-quality, though. After patiently waited for wifey to complete her shopping rituals, it’s time to check out the shore.

    The Como Cathedral…

    Como Cathedral

    Como Cathedral

    There are Lake Como boat tours offering a panoramic boat ride to cruise along the inverted Y-shaped lake or to visit one of many villages. We didn’t board any as wifey ain’t a fan of boat ride so we just enjoyed our leisurely walk around the lake.

    Lake Como boat tours

    Lake Como jetty

    It’s also possible to pedal along the lake in one of the funny boats.

    boats

    Palace Hotel

    Scenic view

    Volta Temple in Como

    The scenic view of Lake Como would qualify as an ideal place to retire – I am full of envy for those people living here. And perhaps we should have taken the funicular up to Brunate, next time then!

    Walking along the lake

    Walking along the lake

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    What are your thoughts about Lake Como? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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  • Buongiorno Milan

    Buongiorno Milan

    We left Hotel Palym early next morning to board TGV train departing from Paris Gare de Lyon to Milan Centrale (7:42am – 2:50pm). That’s a total of 7 hours ride as the train will be passing through Switzerland before reaching Italy. I think the ideal scenario was to reduce journey time by stopping over in one of the Swiss cities, but we didn’t have that many days for this trip. I will definitely be back to check out the Swiss wonders.

    The scenic view along the way makes the journey less boring, plus the ride was very comfortable. Food served on the train was not too bad but definitely overpriced.

    Breakfast on Train

    And finally, we arrived at Milan, Italy’s economic powerhouse and a major transportation hub in Europe. A bustling modern city which is among the forerunners in the world of fashion, the understated ‘Made in Italy’ labels are known for their quality. Numerous stylish fashion boutiques by local brands filled up the shopping arena, I’m talking about Armani, Bottega, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Tod’s, Valentino, Versace, Zegna and many others which I have not heard before.

    Hmm…is that the reason why Italians have great fashion taste and dress sense? I wonder.

    The magnificent Milan Duomo

    Milan Duomo is just 4 stops away from Centrale FS Metro station on M3 Line (Yellow), and the station to alight is a no-brainer – Duomo station. Right out from the metro exit is Piazza del Duomo where the Duomo stands magnificently. FYI: Duomo simply means cathedral and Piazza mean square in Italy. The Gothic cathedral took almost six centuries to complete and its builders’ efforts paid off handsomely, for it looks absolutely stunning.

    Milan Duomo Metro

    Milan Duomo

    Three things populate the main square, naming the tourists, pigeons and vendors/ scammers. The first two isn’t much of a problem, we moved among the crowds while hoping the pigeons will not drop us any surprise while taking flight above our heads.

    But the third is a nuisance for the vendors/ scammers kept on pestering, wanting to pass us either the free rice grains to feed the pigeons or friendship bands which they claimed to be a free gift to tourists. Both claims are crap as they will demand ‘donation’ once any tourist took the bait. One scammer threw a friendship band to me but I just let it fall and heard him cursing while we walked away.

    Door with Sculptures

    Milan Duomo continues to impress us on the interior, from its high ceiling down to the nice marble floor. Not forgetting the brilliant artworks, sculptures and the stained glass.

    Marble floor

    Interior of Duomo

    Nice interior of Duomo

    Inside Duomo

    Stained Glass in Duomo

    Saint Bartholomew in Milan Duomo

    But since the cathedral is famous for its spires, we made our way to the roof to see them up-close. The ticket office is outside and on the right of the Duomo. Indeed, the amazing spires didn’t fail to impress us and I strongly recommend paying the extra for the roof walk.

    Around the roof of Duomo

    The view from Milan Duomo

    Sculptures on the roof of Duomo

    Amazing Spires of Milan Duomo

    Sculpture on the roof of Duomo

    Walking on the roof of Duomo

    At the roof of Duomo

    What a bull in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

    Next to the Duomo is the equally stunning-looking shopping mall filled with luxury stores and restaurants. Seems like a nice place to spend a lazy afternoon and people watch while sipping a warm cup of coffee.

    Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

    Inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

    Exhibition in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

    But the main attraction happens to be the floor mosaic of a bull inside the mall. There’s a saying that if you place your right heel on the animal’s genital area marked by a hole, spin around anticlockwise inside the emblem for three times, will bring good luck to you.

    Not sure how much truth to that claim but let me know if anyone has experienced enormous good luck with this weird practice!

    Bull mosaic of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

    Oh ya, the food we had in Milan was good too!

    Munch in Milan

    Munch

    Munch

    Munch

    STAY: Hotel New York in Milan review

    Hotel New York location is excellent since it’s literally across the street from both Milan Centrale and Centrale FS Metro. But that may be the only plus point I can think of. The room we had looks old, gloomy and could do with a facelift. Internet access is chargeable and breakfast choices are limited.

    The rule of depositing our room keys with the reception whenever we leave the hotel is just weird. The stay was ok because of its location but will not stay here again if we are back in Milan.

    Hotel New York room

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    What are your thoughts about Milan or Milan Duomo? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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