#TBT: Milan Memories
Italy has always held a special place in my heart. I had been before, but to Rome in 2011, which reminds me that I never got a chance to write about that trip either. Disclaimer: These trips to Italy happened before I had my travel blog. This time I went to Milan. It was May 2015 and I was still in grad school at the time. How do you say no to an invite when your friends live in another country? I always find a way. lol I found the cheapest roundtrip flight on Emirates and it was a wrap! They stayed in Bergamo for awhile because of work obligations. Bergamo is a town outside of Milan and you can take the metro to get to and from the city. This was the same year that Milan held the World Expo as well which gave me even more of a reason to go visit.
It’s been awhile since I looked at some of these pics, but COVID 19 had me reminiscence for a little bit. Most of the excursions are not in Milan, but it was a good time to explore other places.
Here’s a rundown of what we did during my stay and the picture grid goes in this order below:
DUOMO
Duomo is an Italian term for a church with the features of, or having been built to serve as, a cathedral, whether or not it currently plays that role. This is a historic cathedral where people go to take tours in and outside of it. It is one of the more popular landmarks in Milan since it is walking distance to the shopping area.
World Expo 2015
The World Expo 2015's theme was "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life", showing off technology, innovation, culture, traditions and creativity and how they relate to food and diet. You visit each country’s hub, taste the foods, speak with representatives and discuss the issues within their communites. It was fascinating to learn about other cultures. The World Expo is held in different countries each year.
Gardaland Amusement Park in Verano
This amusement part was the European version of our Six Flags. We took the train and it took about an hour and a half from Bergamo. It was an action packed day of getting on all of the rides and eating good food.
Cinque Terre (Five Towns)
This was probably our longest trip. We rented a car and I drove for the first time in another country. This took 3 1/2 hours to get to each way. Scared out of my mind to drive, but the view along the coast was amazing! Five Towns is a coastal area within Liguria, in the northwest of Italy. The five villages are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. You have to take a train to each village once you arrive. Think of it as island hopping locally. This is a cute weekend getaway or day trip if you want to go to the beach and explore.
Bologna
We took the train to Bologna for the day. Of course, we were on a budget. lol We just wanted to try all types of food and gelato (ice cream). Not much to do there other than eat. There attractions include the Fountain of Neptune, which is a monumental civic fountain located in the square, Piazza del Nettuno, next to Piazza Maggiore. Another popular attraction was the Two Towers, which are a group of medieval structures. We ate at Ristorante Al Pappagallo. No complaints about the service and food. It is located near near the Two Towers. I ordered classic Bolognese lasagna, ham spread and white wine.
San Pellegrino Terme Spa and Resort
To end my trip, we had a spa day here. Just the girls. It was awesome! This is 30 mins away from Bergamo. And yes, San Pellegrino like the brand water. We took the local bus to get there. Across the street is the infamous Grand Hotel which hasn’t been open in several years, but known for their architecture. This spas and resort caters to thermal and wellness has sector and hotel accommodations. It includes steam rooms, mud baths , thermal baths, saunas, and lots of food! You would have to check the website for their package deals. Click here for more information. They are opening up a spa in NYC! I cannot wait!
