It is hard to believe this city was alive and well when we visited in September. Vibrant, crowded, and totally alive with people.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan September 2019
The Apple Store, Milan September 2019
Starbucks, Milan September 2019
Street Vendor Blowing Bubbles, Milan September 2019
It is hard to believe this country has been hit so hard. Hopefully we will return to an Italy that will recover. I have visited Italy 20 times in the last thirty years, and I will return again.
il prossimo viaggio in Italia our next trip to Italy.
In addition to the places on the map, we will travel from Treviso to Roma where we will spend 10 days. Our plans include arriving on 20 September when temperatures have moderated. September and October are comfortable times to be in Italy. Of course, airfare is much lower in these months and places are less crowded.
Milan is a wonderful city to visit and easy to get around with buses, subways, and trams all over. Google maps works were well with mass transit. Gives numbers, and times. Can not travel without it.
I was raised to love pasta. All kinds. I have never lost my taste and when I found a email from Airbnb about a pasta making class in Milano, I jumped on it. It was a 3 hour exploration of Italian cooking and a chance to make fresh pasta. Gianfranco holds the class in his apartment and it was a very relaxing setting. This was the second of my Airbnb activities that I have engaged in and it will not be my last. Gianfrano is a “personal chef from Palermo, Sicily, and the traditional Italian and Sicilian food is my speciality. I like making genuine homemade food, pasta, street food and dessert”. He did not disappoint. Gianfranco served asiago and parmesan cheese with olives and some Italian bread while we drank some delicious white wine by Corvo. He went over the process of make the pasta and discussed the two types of meals we would eat with it.
This is an easy relaxed time with everyone taking part in the pasta making. Golden rule is 100 grams of flour and 1 egg. You want a dry dough, not sticky. When the dough is throughly mixed, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.
Roll it a bit to make a flat sheet and divide it into 4 pieces, Then roll it out to fit the pasta maker. Insert at the widest opening and gradually decrease the thickness till you achieve the desired thickness of your pasta. After that we hang it to dry slightly.
Here is a link to the video of my experience.
Gianfranco our host and chef.
Pasta making machine. ( available on Amzaon $26 to $200 plus)
Gianfranco with Maria and Maria who were also in the class.
Eggplant for the pasta alla Norma.
The basic pomidoro sauce for pasta alla norma.
Pasta drying before cooking.
Buon appetito
Look for Milan activities and search for “The Secret of Italian Cuisine” under cooking classes.
Milan is about many things. It is a modern city with historical routes and contemporary styles. Saldi, sales are key to visiting Milan. There are designer outlets, and seasonal sales. I am going back to Milan in 3 weeks and will do a complete update on he city, the museums, and shopping districts. These photos are from a 2008 vist to the city.
Window in Milan center.
The bull in La Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II, Milano
Legend has it that if you put your heel on the testicles of the bull and turn around three times, it will bring good luck. Did not do much for the bull. It is also said that if a woman touches the genitals it will bring fertility.
The duomo is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Milan.
It is worth taking the elevators to the top to get a view of the city and admire the construction of the Duomo.
I enjoyed taking the tram in Milano. It is a slower and more enjoyable way to see this city. Of course avoid morning and afternoon rush hours.
Here is a link to a youtube video of the street cars of Milano
We are not in Venice. These are the Canals of Milano. Photo from Walks of Italy. The Navigli.
The canals were built to transport goods to the city from nearby lakes. It is no longer used for transport, but is a tourist destination. This has ushered in an arts district with restaurants and bars and is worth the visit.
I am returning to Milano in September for three days. Will be going to the Navigli district ( canal district) the Duomo, and possibly return to view the last supper again. Here is a link to the web site to purchase tickets to visit the Last Upper. It is advisable to book as early as possible. If you can not get through this site, check Viator, Walks of Italy or other resellers. I advise three months in advance. Link below to official site.
gregsitaly 