Misscityhopper

Our four-day, three-night trip to Milan began with a late afternoon departure from Amsterdam, with our plane taking off at 5 PM. The flight was smooth, and before we knew it, we were descending into Milan, where we touched down at 6 PM. Navigating through the airport was quick, and by 7 PM, we had checked into our Airbnb, a cosy spot conveniently located in the heart of the city. With our bags unpacked and a new city to explore, our first priority was to get some essentials. We headed straight to the local supermarket to stock up on water, snacks, and toiletries like soap and shampoo, ensuring we were all set for the days ahead. With our errands done, we turned our attention to dinner. Luckily, there was an inviting osteria right below our building. The warm atmosphere, the sound of clinking glasses, and the smell of freshly cooked Italian dishes drew us in. We indulged in a hearty meal, savoring every bite of authentic cuisine, and this delicious experience marked a perfect start to our Milanese adventure.

The next morning, we woke up with excitement and a plan to explore some of Milan’s most iconic sights. Our first destination was the Cathedral Duomo, a magnificent structure that truly captures the essence of Milan. Standing before the grand façade, its intricate Gothic architecture was even more impressive in person than in pictures. Eager to see more, we ventured inside the cathedral. The vast interior, filled with stunning stained glass windows and ornate altars, was as breathtaking as the exterior. But the highlight of our visit was yet to come. We decided to go all the way up to the rooftop of the cathedral, a climb that rewarded us with unparalleled views of the city. The moment of pure magic we experienced standing atop the Duomo, with Milan sprawled out below us, will forever etch itself in our memories.

After soaking in the views, we descended and made our way to the nearby Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for lunch. The Galleria, with its beautiful glass dome and elegant shops, is not just a shopping destination but a piece of art in itself. We found a charming restaurant within the galleria and enjoyed a delicious lunch, surrounded by the buzz of shoppers and fellow tourists. Refuelled and ready for more exploration, we set out to see one of Milan’s most famous masterpieces, Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Seeing this iconic painting in person was a surreal experience. The sheer scale and detail of the work left us in awe, and we spent a considerable amount of time simply absorbing the significance and beauty of this historical treasure.

With the day still young, we decided to hop on a bus tour to get a broader sense of the city. The hop-on, hop-off bus took us past many of Milan’s landmarks, offering a convenient way to see the city while learning about its rich history. By the time we returned to our Airbnb, we were both exhausted and exhilarated from the day’s adventures. Once again, we found ourselves drawn to the osteria below our building, where we enjoyed another delightful dinner, reminiscing about the highlights of the day and planning for our next adventure.

The following day, we embarked on a day trip to Verona, a city famous for its connection to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” We left Milan early, catching a train at 9 AM for the hour-and-fifteen-minute ride to Verona. The journey was comfortable, and we used the time to relax and anticipate the day ahead.

Upon arriving in Verona, we immediately fell in love with its charm. The city, with its well-preserved mediaeval architecture and romantic ambiance, was a stark contrast to the bustling energy of Milan. We spent the day exploring Verona’s historic sites, including Juliet’s House, where we joined other visitors in marvelling at the famous balcony. We also visited the ancient Roman amphitheatre, the Verona Arena, which is still in use today and an impressive sight to behold.

Lunch in Verona was a delightful affair. We found a quaint trattoria where we indulged in traditional Veronese dishes, accompanied by local wine. We spent the afternoon exploring the city’s narrow streets, uncovering hidden treasures, and relishing the laid-back ambiance. As evening approached, we enjoyed another meal in Verona, this time opting for a restaurant with a view of the Adige River. The gentle flow of the river and the twilight settling over the city made for a perfect dining backdrop. Content and with our hearts full of Verona’s beauty, we boarded the train back to Milan, arriving late in the evening. Exhausted from the long day, we were grateful for the comfort of our Airbnb, where we quickly fell asleep.

We purposefully left the final day of our trip unplanned, allowing us the flexibility to relax after the previous day’s adventures. We allowed ourselves the luxury of sleeping in, waking up around 9 AM. The late start was a welcome change, and we took our time enjoying a leisurely breakfast. With no set agenda, we decided to take it easy and simply enjoy our last day in Milan. We headed out for a late lunch, savouring our final tastes of Italian cuisine. Afterwards, we strolled through the city, doing a bit of souvenir shopping to bring a piece of Milan back home with us.

As the afternoon waned, we started preparing for our journey back to Amsterdam. We had heard that the traffic to the airport could be particularly bad, so we decided to leave early. This turned out to be a wise choice, as the trip from Milan to the airport took a staggering three hours. Despite the long and tiring journey, we were relieved to arrive at the airport with enough time to have dinner before checking in for our flight. The process at the airport went smoothly, and at 9 PM, our plane took off, marking the end of our Milanese adventure. We landed back in Amsterdam at 10 PM, worn out but filled with memories of an incredible trip that combined the vibrant energy of Milan with the romantic charm of Verona.