Milano and Genova
May 31, 2025 8:05 pmMilan
Milano! We loved Milan immensely. Our Airbnb was smack dab in the middle of the action and we had four days to regroup, get organized and enjoy the city.
The construction on the Milan Cathedral or ‘Piazza del Duomo’, began in 1386 and took nearly six centuries to complete: the final details were just completed in 1965! It is the largest church in the Italian Republic, even larger than St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, and one of largest in the world. It is massive!
Check out the Statue of Liberty look-a-like. It is “La Legge Nuova” by Camillo Pacetti, sculpted in 1810. It is said to be the inspiration for Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi in the creatation of the American Statue of Liberty.
Check out these photos. Zoom into the bottom left hand corner. See the guy painting?? Not sure if he started from the top or bottom but holy guacamole! That’s a lot of work and that’s just one of many windows!
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy’s oldest active shopping center. it’s in the centre of town, housed within a four-story double arcade. It was named after the first king of Italy and was designed in 1861, and built between 1865 and 1877. The Galleria is famous for some very old shops and restaurants dating back to 1867!!
For size context; with people vs buildings. How did they do it?
We went to San Bernardino alle Ossa as well, a church best known for its ossuary, a small side chapel filled and decorated with numerous human skulls and bones. In 1210, when an the then adjacent cemetery ran out of space, this room was built to hold bones.
Da Vinci Museum. What didn’t the man invent? Unfortunately tickets to view The Last Supper were not available, sold out even when I tried moths go.
Castello Sforzesco. Leonardo da Vinci worked as a military and civil engineer during the Renaissance here, and later as an artist.
Day trip to Bergamo
Bergamo is 40 km NW of Milan and a short 1 hour train. The charming, picturesque city is known for its medieval walled city perched on a hilltop and its modern lower city. We took the funicular up and enjoyed a nice lunch and the sites.
Santa Maria Maggiore
Legend has it, a dragon once lived on the hill and it terrorized the people of Bergamo until it was defeated by a brave knight.
Milano was such an amazing city, so much to see and do. It’s no wonder Milan was ranked as the most walkable city in the world, in addition to a fashion and design capital. And the food was fantastico – we’ll be back!
Genoa
Just a 100 minute train ride from Milan is Genoa, the gateway to the Riviera and birthplace to Christopher Columbus. Here’s his childhood home.
Genoa is also credited with the invention of jeans; they were worn by sailors in the city around the 17th century. The city is most famous for its “Pesto Genovese”, but also focaccia, and panissa (fried chickpea fritters)
Our hotel was lovely and central to all the sites.
The Centro Storico (historic city center) is a massive 113 hectares, one of the most extended medieval Historic Centres of Europe and is the most densely populated.
Some amazing neighbourhoods!
Mercanto Orientale and Food court
Italian Furniture Store – so unique!
Boccadasse is a famous ancient fishermen village. The colourful houses are compared to those in Cinque Terre.
There’s lots of noble palaces and wonderful churches that alternate with shops that have been open for more than 100 years!
The food was delicious !
Porto Antico (the city’s seaport). The ancient port area was redesigned in 1992 and it became a favourite for locals and a touristic centre of the city. The Biosfera reminded us of Science World!
This is the biggest cruise ship we have ever seen! It was christened by her Godmother Sophia Loren in 2019. 2421 cabins = 6,334 passengers and a crew of 1700.
Eataly in Italy – have eaten at Eataly before, but first time in Italy!
We know the blog makes it sound like everything is perfect, but it’s busy and shit happens. When we arrive at a new city it’s exciting but overwhelming to try and figure out the where, what and why with the last city still fresh in your mind. Then the memory of that city vanishes and blends with other cities, as you make new discoveries in the new city. Repeat, repeat every 3 days.
And all the while, the next few hotels are messaging you asking for and sending details, and the last few hotels are asking for reviews. I’m blogging, and thank goodness for that as it really serves as our memory these days! And Joe is busy figuring out how to get from the airport or train to the hotel. It’s usually pretty miraculous and he often just walks right to it! Next he has to plan (map out) our days and find places to eat; with a lot of spontaneity thrown in as well.
We are a well oiled machine together I tell you! So while we are having a fantastic time, it’s because we put a lot of effort to make it work! Just in case you think we bask in the sun all day hahaha.
Thanks for listening and following!
Paula and Joe
14 Comments
Love your pictures and can really relate to your comments at the end. If I didn’t blog I’d forget half of what I did and looking back makes me wonder how we managed to figure it all out! Travel on you two and enjoy!
I know, right!? Even the next day things become a blur – I make notes as I go now and try to stay on top of it daily or it becomes a chore. Thanks Barb!
We were in Milan in June, 2024 so the photos you posted brought back good memories. The Last Supper tickets sell out within minutes of being released! I know that because even though I was monitoring their release date they were all gone by the time my request got there. However we did get tickets through a private tour company and were able to see the painting.
Love the food photos!
We tried a private tour company but prices were something like 200€. It must have been beautiful to see!
We certainly love food!
Anyone who is their own travel agent can relate to your comments about the time, effort, and skill involved in planning and coordinating, When one only has a few days in each place you either have to have planned well or be prepared to ‘wing it’ and hope for the best. Planning has to start months before you leave home doesn’t it. Even excellent planning cannot control every possibility so the ability to adjust and graciously switch to Plan B makes for a contented traveler.
The two of you do work extremely well as a team!
You absolutely get it Helen! Plan B is always a good option, if when it’s unknown lol
Thank you!
Amazing photos again and great history lesson! The churches are all breathtaking!
You and Joe are definitely a pretty perfect team! Your team work is incredible 💕
Carry on your adventure! 🥰
Yes some unbelievable churches!
We are a great team – thanks Bonnie!
Fantastic blog Paula! You guys do all the work and we get to see the results! lol All the best to you both!
Thanks for following Bob! It’s be so incredible, as you can see from the photos!
Appreciate the kind words,
Paula and Joe
A trip of a lifetime. Enjoy the next four weeks.
Thanks Jeannine and we will! Seems impossible that we met you on this trip!
Hi Mom and dad catching up on the blog! Food looks great and love the pics of you guys. Margot would love all the seafood, one day she’ll get to try it. The wall of bones would be spooky but looks neat. You guys definitely are a well oiled machine and it’s impressive how you pull it off and we’re proud of you for doing it! You’ve passed on your travel skills or at least some of them to us. I am the navigator Lindsay is the planner. Look forward to hearing about the rest of your trip and seeing you in a few weeks.
Wow! You did a lot of catching up! Margot sure would love the seafood. We’ve passed our love of food, traveling and skills to all of our family. Thanks for following!