Although this blog is to highlight the travel and destinations, this trip was extra special to me, my birthday weekend celebrating the big 5-0! How can it beeeeeeeee!
Turning 50 deserves a celebration thatās as unforgettable as the milestone itself, so I packed my bags and headed off with my bff, to one of the most iconic cities in the worldāMilan.
We arrived late at night and grabbed a train to the city centre, asking a taxi driver to take us to our apartment, the man was reluctant to leave us on the roadside in a residential area but we bid him goodnight and set about our krypton factor instructions to access our gated accommodation and (showing my age here), it was like an Annika Rice challenge, with me shouting 'STOP THE CLOCK' in the middle of the street (and middle of the night!) when I eventually found a combination padlock for the gate key, attached to a railing on the opposite side of the road! Quietly relieved, we accessed the amazing gated street, looking like it was from another world .....and another set of keys to get into our building. Once again we accepted and passed the challenge! From this night and every day after that, we have no idea how we got into our actual apartment..... a fob, pretending to be a key - the struggle and luck to access the place was real on a daily basis!
The next morning we wandered to the nearby cafe, grabbed a delicious coffee and croissant and contemplated our next move.... Lake Como it was!
Lake Como: A Slice of Heaven
The serenity of this legendary destination is the stuff of dreams. We grabbed a boat and stopped off at a little village called Torno, perched on the lakeās edge, with its tiny harbour capturing my heart. With narrow windows and cobbled streets leading to quaint cafĆ©s and views to die for and the sun shimmering on the lake, I indulged in a quiet moment by the water, taking photos with my trusty travel camera (Canon M200) and soaking in the view.
Heading home we found an amazing fresh seafood bar and even though we weren't even slightly hungry, we sat, drank beer and ate fresh squid, my idea of heaven (and one of the highlights of the trip for me!)!!
Navigli District: A hidden Venice
The next day we visited the Navigli District of Milan, a vibrant contrast to Lake Como. The district, if you can imagine, was like Venice back in the day, with canals flowing through the city transporting goods. The water still flows, now beneath the roads. Who knew!! Not me anyway!
We wandered along the canals , stopped at a waters edge restaurant and ate delicious bruschetta and calzone, with a glass of wine, watching the world go by. The picturesque canals, boutique shops spilling onto cobblestone streets, and restaurants so alive with chatter.
As evening fell, we headed back to our district on a wooden tram and grabbed a glass of vino at a nearby bar, the place was buzzing with locals on a Saturday night making the most of the warm evening.
Pizza, Gelato, and Graffiti Galore
Throughout Milan, the food was as vibrant as the city itself. From finding a cheap Margherita pizza stall near the Duomo, with mozzarella that melted like a dream, to gelato that rivaled any birthday cake.
What struck me the most though, were the stories told by the cityās walls. Graffiti in Milan isnāt just artāitās attitude. It added an unexpected edge to the cityās sophistication, reminding visitors that Milan is as much about creativity as it is culture.
On the last evening we visited a recommended restaurant, with delicious seafood risotto and given cheap triple gins (not asked for!) in the hope that we would tip the waiter more generously! It didn't work btw, I'm from Yorkshire remember!!
A Birthday to Remember
Turning 50 in Milan will stay a great memory for me: a blend of landscapes, bustling streets and culinary delights. From the beautiful shores of Lake Como; the iconic Duomo (and posh sky bar in La Rinascente giving free food with a drink!); to the artistic energy of the Navigli District.
So, if youāre looking for a destination with views, culture, attitude and charisma to mark a special occasionā or just need an excuse to eat your weight in pizzaāMilan is waiting to show you it's magic.
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