Woke up early and headed to Piazza del Duomo to take morning shots, weather was chill but clear, brought some pastry from bakery near piazza and had breakfast back in Airbnb. Later went to the rooftop terrace of Duomo, had a good view of the city and architecture of the church. Visited H&M near piazza, checked out the latest fashion!

Had pasta at Pasto – Laboratorio di pasta con cucina, printer was broken, so they had to use chalk board, pasta was good. Next visiting Sforzesco Castle, lots of people there, so we learnt that there was a political pep rally, most of the attendees were young students and farmers. Stopped by Slam Jam Milano, very cute store. Walked by Santa Maria del Carmine Church and Piazza della Scala, then visited Giusti Boutique Milano for wonderful Balsamic vinegar, learnt a lot from the store manager, he told us that you can add Balsamic vinegar on top of gelato, so we went to Ciacco across the street, supposedly the best gelato in Milan, and went back to the vinegar store to add Balsamic topping, it was really amazing, tasted great! Ended the day dining at Neko Bento & Ramen. Tried to go back to Ciacco for another gelato, but its’ closed, so went to the second best, Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato. Took some more night shots at Duomo and Galleria. This concluded the last day at Milan, going back to US tomorrow morning 😦

Travelling from Bologna to Milan. Started the day at the cheese store Al Regno Della Forma, then got more coffee and croissants from Caffè Terzi, then visited the wax museum Luigi Cattaneo.

Travelled from Bologna to Milan, fairly quick ride, from Milan Central transfer via subway to Duomo di Milano, finally got to see the big church! Settled down at Airbnb, Heart Milan Apartments, very nice place! Had a quick but nice lunch at Gastronomia Yamamoto, good Japanese food. Visited Duomo di Milano next, what a magnificent church! The weather was wet, so took some pictures then moved on to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, lots of fancy stores, looked at PRADA, LV, was going to have coffee and snack at Marchesi 1824, but not really a good coffee place, skipped and moved to Milano shopping district to find more good stuff. Was able to find a good PRADA purse for Kelley at Prada Milano Montenapoleone Uomo, and was able to get the tax refund at Global Blue, that was pretty cool. For Dinner Ayman and Kelley picked wonderful veggie pizza. Took a night walk after dinner, and had gelato from Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato, that concluded another wonderful day!

Begin the day by having wonderful cappuccino and croissants at Caffè Terzi Bologna, also bought a pack of their house coffee. Next moved on to today’s highlight – Food Tour at Mercato delle Erbe, very interesting, begin with Piadina, then pasta, also saw horse meat butcher, then greeted by true Bologna Mortadella, Jessie took a bite. Introduced to different type of cheese, and ended with Gelato at Cremeria la Vecchia Stalla, now we learnt that true gelato does not have open display, it’s stored in metal tins under counter with lid.

Got some coffee from Il Caffè delle Sette Chiese at Piazza Santo Stefano near the campus of University of Bologna. Next stop is a very interesting museum, can be called the birth place for modern Anatomy. On the way back to Airbnb, enjoyed a different type/flavor coffee at Aroma. Dinner at Pizzeria Nettuno, since we had a great pizza the night before. After that, completed the day with Gelato at Cremeria Cavour, and this is a real authentic gelato place!

It’s Ayman’s birthday!

Had breakfast from Bar Ristorante Vecchio Borgo, walked around the stairs to take photos without the crowd.

Later in the morning visited garden I Giardini di Villa Melzi,

Farewell to Bellagio, took ferry to Varenna, had a quick lunch at the corner store, food was good.

Arrived at Bologna via train ride, and checked in to Airbnb, took the two towers tour, almost 500 steps on the way up, great job for everyone! Went to Basilica Di San Petronio and Fountain of Neptune afterward.

Dinner at Trattoria da Me to celebrate Ayman’s birthday!

Day 3 – Sailing at Lake Como and tour around Bellagio and Varenna

Early morning walk to Punta Spartivento point, northern tip of Bellagio, beutiful view. Had cappuccino and croissant at market center.

Walked to the back side (west) of Bellagio, boarded sail boat from Bellagio Sailing, started sailing on a gorgeous day.

This is one popular place for lots of movie scenes, like Star War and James Bond/007.

Back to Bellagio, enjoyed the street food, cheese cake, and gelato of course!

Next going to Cadenabbia, no to Vareanna for sight-seeing and dinner. We found out that we can take the train from Varenna back to Milan, instead of 1-hour boat ride to Como then take the train. Dinner at La Veranda dei Pescatori, at hill top looking at Lake Como and beatiful night view!

Day 2 – Milan to Lake Como

What is a better way to start a day than having great Italian coffee and croissant at Orsonero Coffee?

Let’s move to our next destination, Lake Como, Bellagio here we come. Train ride to Como. Taking the train from Milan Central can be nerve-breaking, sometimes it won’t show the platfrom until 10 minutes before train arrives, than everybody rush! Train ride is very comfortable!

Arriving at Lake Como, was going to have lunch at a local resturant, but it’s all booked, so we walked to the ferry, and had food truck lunch, and look around the pier, weather was great! Took fastboat from Como to Bellagio, it was really fast!

Arriving at Bellagio, was greeted by the Vrbo host and hostess, they were kind enough to haul our luggage from the pier to the hill top, it will be some effort to move these using the stair walkway to the top. This is a GREAT place, excellent view to Bellagio villa, and also Lake Como!

Walked around, trying to capture all the beauties that Bellagio has to offer, and getting more gelato of course! Also tried some delicious Italian street food and expresso, and observed wonderful sunset!

Had a wonderful dinner at Dispensa 63

Day 1 – arriving at Milan

Arrived at MXP airport early afternoon, for some reason my T-Mobile roaming is not working properly. Took train to Milan Central Station, 1 hour ride.

Checked in Airbnb (Beethoven Apt.), then went to Venice Ristorante Pizzeria for pizza and pasta, first great meal at Milan.

How about some gelato at Terra?

Mr. and Mrs. Haq arrived late, while waiting for them, Ayman got an chicken dona kabob, it was so goooood!