Tag: travel

Day trips from Milan

Published on by Amparo's travels & musings3 Comments

Buongiorno!

Before moving to Milan, I had never been to the city. I know! why would you ever move to a city you’ve never been to and even worse, hardly knowing the language! Except for a beginner’s course in Italian and reading endless blogs about Milan, I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. But as soon as I arrived in Milan, I fell in love with it. A few weeks after moving, we went into lockdown and you all know how that went… Silver lining? Not having a job gave me the time to explore some of the most beautiful places in Italy and that’s what I would like to share with you.

In no particular order, here are some of my favourite day trips from Milan.

Como

Como is a beautiful city to explore, no matter what time of year it is. With its vibrant cafe culture, gorgeous villas, stunning views of Lake Como and impressive Gothic Cathedral; there’s something for everyone.

The best thing to do whilst in Como is to take the traghetto (ferry) and do a tour of the lake. You can buy a ticket to Cernobbio for example and just remain on the boat so you can enjoy the views and the lake. If you do happen to stop in Cernobbio and fancy some lunch, Osteria del Beuc is a great place to eat. Try to get a table outside by the lake, it’s great, especially in summer.

Villa Olmo
Duomo
George Clooney is that you?

Getting there – You can get the Trenord from Milano Centrale Railway Station to Como San Giovanni Train Station. It’s a 39-minute train journey going through Monza, Seregno and Como Camerlata. You want to take the train towards Chiasso.

Check out my post called a hidden gem in Como for a beautiful little café and antique jewellery shop.

A few more places around Lake Como that I absolutely love are Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzo and Varenna which are further up but if you’re in Como will be easy to reach.

Piani dei Resinelli – Belvedere Parco Valentino

This place is just breathtaking, it feels like time slows down and the peace you feel is just incredible.

The best way to reach this place is by car, there’s free parking on Via Escursionisti
(full address, Via Escursionisti 23821 Abbadia Lariana  Loc. Piani Resinelli). From the car park, it’s a half-hour walk up to the belvedere. It’s a very easy walk.

A great place to eat whilst here is Dal Tusett, we ordered the tasting menu at 30€ per person, it was so much food! and absolutely delicious.

Bergamo

Bergamo is another beautiful city you should visit if you have time. It’s under an hour away from Milan and can be easily reached by train or car. I previously wrote about Bergamo Alta which is the old part of the city, have a look at the below post for more details on what to do.

A day trip to Bergamo Alta

Monza

This post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my beloved Monza! I moved to Monza a year ago and love it. If you love Formula 1 then you will have heard of this city. It’s only 14 minutes on the train from Milano centrale which is great for a day out, especially with kids.

In Monza, you’ll find one of the largest enclosed parks in Europe and the stunning Villa Reale with its beautiful rose garden. The Duomo in the centre of town is a must, its interiors are spectacular.

Villa Reale
F1 Monza
Villa Reale
inside the Duomo di Monza

For food, there are so many choices. Via Bergamo is a great little street which during the warmer months and especially in summer has an amazing atmosphere. I’ll be uploading another post all about Monza and where to eat soon.

Brescia

A 40-minute train journey from Milano Centrale; Brescia, is situated at the foot of the Alps and not far from lakes Garda and Iseo. A beautiful and colourful city filled with hidden gems, amazing UNESCO World Heritage and archaeological sites.

Have a wander around Via dei musei and visit the Capitolium, Tempio Capitolino and Roman theater. Once you’ve finished there, head over to the Duomo Nuovo and visit the Rotonda which is the old cathedral, it has the most interesting shape and interior. Next, head over to Piazza della Loggia with its beautiful Venetian influences.

Tempio Capitolino
Inside the Rotonda next to the Duomo Nuovo
Tempio Capitolino
Brescia’s castle
View from the castle

There are so many places to visit but I don’t want to make this post too long, so I’ll do a series of posts and maybe divide them by distance? Or type of trip? Let me know.

If you reached the end of this post, thank you for sticking with me! I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful. Have an incredible day!

Pin this post!

Check out my previous posts

  • 5 days in Puglia
    Hello!! A couple of months ago, I visited the beautiful region of Apulia in southern Italy (Puglia in Italian) and it was amazing! If you’re looking for a budget-friendly holiday destination with fantastic food that… More
  • A 4-day getaway to Lake Garda
    A quick getaway to the east coast of Lake Garda.
  • Bellano, Lake Como
    Bellano is a charming little town located on the eastern shore of Lake Como in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Known for its beautiful scenery, historic landmarks, and lively cultural events, Bellano is a… More
  • Truffles and wine tasting in Le Langhe
    It’s truffle season! White truffle season is from September to December when they grow wild in the forests around Alba. So of course, being in Lombardia, we had to take a trip to Le Langhe in Piedmont. This area is… More
  • Autumn in Italy – Varese
    Visiting Varese Hi! How are you? A couple of days ago, we took a little trip to Varese which is a city in northern Italy known for its art-nouveau villas and parks. It’s about an… More
  • From Rome with love
    A four-day itinerary in Rome The first time I visited Rome was in 2017 and I will never forget that trip. It was, after all, my first time in Italy! It was everything I had… More

All things Nice

Published on by Amparo's travels & musings2 Comments

A weekend spent wandering around Nice

There’s a reason why artists such as Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, and Renoir fell in love with Nice.

We visited Nice last month and the weather was perfect. Of course, being February, the sea was absolutley freezing but that didn’t stop people from running and jumping in for a quick swim! And let’s not forget how amazing french boulangeries are. Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked bread in the morning? Actually yes, croissants straight out of the oven… just the thought makes me want to get on a plane to France. Honestly, how can you not fall in love with this place!

View from Castle Hill (Colline du Chateau)

Is there anything better than breathing in the salty sea air and dipping your feet in the cold sea after a long walk around the city? If you walk along the Promenade des Anglais towards the #ILoveNice sign you’ll find yourself on the Rauba Capeu Sundial at the foot of Castle Hill (Colline du Chateau). This is a great place from which to start your trip.

Rauba Capeu Sundial

Take the stairs across the road from the #ILoveNice sign up to the Bellanda Tower and you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful views of the city and French Riviera coastline. At the very top, from Castle Hill, you’ll be able to see the old town, the port and beyond.

From Castle Hill you can also see the cours Saleya Market. Head over to the market and try their Pissaladiere (onion tart – really good) or you can try Socca which is a pancake made with chickpea flour. And when in France… eat all the bread, pastries and cakes because life is too short and they’re the best.

Cours Saleya Market
Cours Saleya Market

Time to wander around vieux Nice! I love how charming this part of the city is, I could get lost here for hours. If you’re looking for unique gifts there are so many beautiful boutiques around here. One of my favourite shops was; Le Palais d’Osier, which sells wicker baskets, bags, chairs…I wanted to buy everything! And the Parapluies shop which is just beautiful to look at.

Vieux Nice

There’s no shortage of beautiful buildings and streets in Nice. Make sure to visit the St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, it is incredibly beautiful.

Basilique Notre-Dame de l’assomption
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox cathedral

And the most exciting part? The CARNIVAL! We were lucky enough to see some of the structures built for the carnival and even got a little sneak peek at some of the performances. The Nice Carnival is one of the world’s major carnival events, alongside the Brazilian Carnival, Venetian Carnival, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It’s held annually in February and sometimes early March in Nice. If you want to see more of the carnival, I’ll leave the link to the main website here.

I will defintely be visiting again, absolutely loved it.

If you are planning on travelling to Nice for more than a weekend, I recommend visiting Menton and Cannes which are quite easy to get to. Menton is 37 minutes on the train and Cannes is 30 minutes away.

Moving around Nice is really easy, you can reach all sites on foot which also means you get to really experience and fully immerse yourself in Nice life. If you feel tired, there is a little train that takes you on a tour of Vieux Nice. It’s called the mini-train tour and lasts around 30 minutes.

The mini-trains leave every 30 minutes from Promenade des Anglais (in front of Hotel Le Meridien). Make sure to take cash with you, it’s around 10 euros per person.

I hope you enjoyed this post, would love to know what you think. And if you have already been to Nice, would love to know what your favourite places were.

Share this on Pinterest

Venice, the floating city

Published on by Amparo's travels & musingsLeave a comment

400 bridges connecting 118 little islands to form the beautiful city of Venice. No wonder it’s known as the city of bridges! Every step, every turn leads to another bridge. How long do you think it would take to cross them all?

Venice was one of our last stops on our month-long road trip across Italy last year. It’s as if Venice knew and it welcomed us with the darkest of storms. We hid in a nearby cafe and almost gave up. People were running trying to find shelter; street vendors replaced selfie sticks with umbrellas and the plastic ponchos were out in full force. This was not your typical storm… just as quickly as it had started it disappeared and with that most of the tourists as well! 

There are so many beautiful places to see and I will list them below, but the most important thing when visiting Venice is to wander. Forget about maps and itineraries for an hour or two and just wander the streets of Venice. I recently came across a quote by Ella Maillart that says ‘One travels to run away from routine, that dreadful routine that kills all imagination and all our capacity for enthusiasm’. Enjoy getting lost for a little while.

Now, if you are limited on time and only have a day to explore the city, here are my top places to visit.

Piazza San Marco

This is the heart of Venice and where you will find some of the most famous buildings in the city.

Campanile di San Marco

First stop, Campanile di San Marco. The views from the top are incredible and can be reached via the lift.

Basilica di San Marco

Next stop is St. Mark’s Basilica. This is probably one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. More than 8000 square metres of mosaic cover the walls, vaults and cupolas of the Basilica. The extensive use of gold in the background of the mosaics and the ever changing light that streams through the windows of the Basilica make it an incredible sight. Make sure to head up to the balcony for a brilliant view of the Piazza San Marco and to see the stunning sculptures that decorate the Basilica.

Doge’s Palace

Once you’re done at the Basilica head over to the Doge’s Palace but be warned the queues to enter are quite something so get there early.

Doge’s Palace

Bridge of Sighs

Next to the Doge’s Palace you will find the Bridge of Sighs which got its name from the cries and lamentations of prisoners who were transported from the Doge’s Palaces’ criminal courts to the prison just over the bridge.

Stroll along Riva degli Schiavoni and enjoy some lunch or a ‘spuntino’ whilst you enjoy the view of the waterfront.

Ponte di Rialto

Now let’s head over to Rialto Bridge, grab a gelato on your way there at Gelatoteca Suso. Ice cream here is delicious! The Rialto Bridge is especially beautiful at sunset so you might want to come back later but be prepared for large crowds. 

Follow the signs to Rialto

If you like visiting churches you came to the right city, there are so many to choose from and you will find dozens along your way. 

Murano and Burano

If you still have time or have more than one day, make sure to visit the islands of Murano and Burano. You can access them via water bus from Piazza San Marco as well as from Fondamente Nove.

Murano

The island of Murano, is best known for its glass and you can take a tour of one of the factories as well as go to the Museo del Vetro (glass museum). When buying glass items in Venice make sure it has the official ‘Vetro Murano Artistico’ trademark, always try to support local businesses.

Burano

Next is Burano which you will have probably seen a million times on social media and for good reason. The colourful fishing village of Burano is famous for its beautiful lace but more than anything you will have heard about Burano due to its incredibly colourful houses. The origin of the colourful houses is unknown but some say it was to help fishermen returning from the sea. Due to the heavy fog, fishermen had trouble recognising their homes and so they decided to paint them with different colours which I guess makes sense but I’m not sure how true this is. Either way, enjoy this colourful and cheerful island and make sure to eat at one of the local fish restaurants.

Getting around Venice

Venice is small enough for you to be able to walk to all the main attractions and if you’re tired you can take a Vaporetto (water bus) which is always fun.

Where to buy tickets

AVM/Actv tickets can be purchased from the following sales channels:
•    Venezia Unica point of sale throughout the historic center of Venice and on the mainland 
•    authorized retailers
•    automatic ticketing machines at the main AVM/Actv public transport arrival terminals and waterbus stops
•    AVM Venezia Official App 
•    on line on www.veneziaunica.it
•    on board waterborne services 

If the weather is bad or your time in Venice is very limited, then you can buy a ticket valid for 75 minutes for €7,50 or a time-based travel card which allows free circulation on all the ACTV vaporetto lines around the city and to the lagoon islands, as well as free circulation on the urban Mestre and Lido land-bus and tram lines (except for travel with origin or destination at Marco Polo airport – see the official ACTV fares for full details) and use of the People Mover:

  • 20,00 € – 1 DAY TRAVELCARD
  • 30,00 € – 2 DAYS TRAVELCARD
  • 40,00 € – 3 DAYS TRAVELCARD
  • 60,00 € – 7 DAYS TRAVELCARD

Where to store your luggage

There are luggage facilities at the three main transport hubs in Venice. You’ll see the sign Deposito Bagagli which are the luggage storage offices. Piazzale Roma – across from the ACTV office and next to the People Mover station.

Enjoy your trip to Venice!

Hope you enjoyed this blog post, give it a like/ thumbs up if you did or leave a comment. 

Have an amazing day!

A weekend in Milan

Published on by Amparo's travels & musingsLeave a comment

Buongiorno!

Ready for a weekend in Milan?

It is only right that my first travel guide on this blog should be about Milan as it is where my life in Italy began! Known for being one of the fashion capitals of the world, hello Milan Fashion Week! and famous for it’s architecture, it’s impossible to think about Milan without automatically thinking about the iconic Duomo di Milano, so that’s where we’ll start!

Day 1

Duomo di Milano

I remember the first time I saw the Duomo; it was as I came out of the station after my first italian lesson. I remember being shocked by how beautiful it was/is and thinking how small I felt standing infront of it. No amount of photos or videos do it justice. It is an impressive building. There are so many intricate details; to think that the construction of the Duomo began in 1386 and the final details were not completed until 1965 is crazy.

You can purchase tickets at the ticket office which is to the right of the Duomo but I would advise you to book them online. Specially during the summer; it gets really hot and you do not want to be standing in a queue in that heat! Also make sure to take something with you to cover your shoulders otherwise you’ll have to buy an extremeley flattering Harry Potter style cloak to go over your “insta-ready” outfit! You’ll find all the details and ticket prices in the link below.

https://www.duomomilano.it/en/buy-tickets/

The Duomo Pass Lift at €20 is the best option if you want to see everything. If you’re just looking to go up to the rooftop for photos I would suggest taking the lift unless you’re feeling brave and want to walk up the 251 steps to the roof and then back down again!

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

To the left of the front entrance to the Duomo you’ll see the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. A stunning shopping arcade that oozes Milanese style and wealth. With its beautiful mosaic floors and a magnificent archway into its portico-covered “streets” you’re going to want to spend a little time here and take it all in. In the centre of the gallery you’ll see that the floors are decorated with the coats of arms of Turin, Florence, Milan and Rome. Take a closer look and you might notice tourists spinning on their heels over Turin’s coat of arms; to be more specific, the poor testicles of Turins bull. Apparently it brings good luck to step on the bulls testicles and spin three times!
Another thing to look out for is the Leonardo Da Vinci museum which is towards the back of the shopping arcade and worth visiting.

Naviglio Grande

Once you’re done at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele it’s time to head over to Naviglio Grande, it’s one of my favourite spots in Milan, specially for aperitivo or dinner and is absolutely magical at sunset. There are so many nice restaurants around the Navigli area but try to go to a Trattoria, that’s where you’ll find the most authentic food and at great prices.


As for what to order, try one of the local dishes!
– Cotoletta alla milanese (breaded veal cutlet pan-fried in butter)
– Cassoeula (stewed pork rib chops and sausage with savoy cabbage)
– Ossobuco (braised veal shank served with a condiment called gremolata)
– Risotto alla Milanese (with saffron and beef marrow)
– Busecca (stewed tripe with beans)
– Brasato (stewed beef or pork with wine and potatoes)

Famous Milanese cheeses are gorgonzola, mascarpone, taleggio and quartirolo. For me, it’s all about the mascarpone in desserts.

For all my foodie friends, click on the link below to view the list of Michelin selected restaurants in Milan.
https://guide.michelin.com/en/it/lombardia/milano/restaurants

Day 2

Breakfast in Italy is usually a cornetto and a coffee, very simple but delicious. Some of my favourite cafe’s are Marchesi 1824 which is incredibly beautiful, overlooks the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and has amazing cakes; Pave, which is another amazing place; Orsonero Coffee which always has brilliant reviews; and if you’re a Wes Anderson fan then you need to go to Bar Luce, designed by the man himself. Another cafe that I absolutely love and not just for coffee but also for evening drinks is 10 Corso Como Cafe, it has a great atmosphere and you can also have a little wander of the art gallery and shop whilst you’re there. It’s a hidden gem in the heart of the city.

Bosco Verticale

Not far from 10 Corso Como Cafe is the Piazza Gae Aulenti which leads onto the Bosco Verticale. Bosco Verticale are two stunning residential towers covered in plants, trees and shrubs. In spring the towers and the surrounding park is filled with wild flowers and greenery. A great place to take a break.

Bosco Verticale

Brera

Next stop is Brera!
I love Brera, it’s part of the historic centre and the artistic heart of the city. Brera is full of antique shops, art galleries, boutiques and cute cafe’s and restaurants with outdoor seating. On the third Sunday of each month there’s an antiques market called Mercatino di antiquariato e brocantage, in my opinion it’s the best way to start a Sunday followed by brunch at one of the local cafe’s. Whilst you’re here you might want to also stop by the Pinacoteca di Brera and Botanical gardens.

La Pinacoteca di Brera
Brera

Sforzesco Castle
Not far from Brera is the Sforzesco castle and Arco della Pace. The castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 17:30 and you can book your tickets online. Tickets are 5 euros.

https://www.milanocastello.it/it/content/orari-e-biglietteria

The courtyard area is free to access and great for people watching on a Sunday with a coffee in hand; everyone in their Sunday best is out for a walk or having a little picnic on the lawn.

Castello Sforzesco
Arco della pace

Art galleries

There are so many great art musuems and galleries in Milan but currently, top of my list is the Fondazione Prada Milano which I am dying to visit, for anyone that loves architecture or contemporary art this one is a must. Also on my list are Pirelli Hangar Bicocca, Armani Silos, Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna and MUDEC – Museo delle Culture.

I still have so much to see and as I discover new things to do and see I will update these guides. Milan is such a beautiful city by day and even more magical at night so hopefully once the current curfew lifts we can go back to fully enjoying every aspect of the city.

Useful links

To store your luggage https://luggagehero.com/
Transport information: https://www.atm.it/en/Pages/default.aspx
Underground map: https://www.atm.it/en/ViaggiaConNoi/Pages/SchemaReteMetro.aspx

Welcome to my travels and musings blog!

Published on by Amparo's travels & musings3 Comments

Ciao! ¡Hola! Hello!

photo taken in Sardinia

Welcome to my new blog!

As I get asked quite a bit for advice on travel, I thought I would bring back my blog and share my favourite Italian travel spots as well as travel guides from around the globe.

And of course some foodie favourites! Ok, maybe a lot of foodie favourites.

I moved to Milan last year at the start of the pandemic and was lucky enough to have a couple of weeks of exploring Milan and the surrounding areas before we were all thrown into a never ending episode of lockdowns, self isolation and social awkwardness.

A year later, another mid-pandemic move, this time to Monza and things are starting to settle down a little. As we are now able to travel to other cities within Italy (hurray!!) and news of international leisure travel from the UK opening up soon as well as talks of “green passes” and “vaccine passports” for EU countries, things are looking a little brighter.

So, what do we need to do to prepare for holidays going forward?
For those of you that have not yet had the vaccine, proof of a negative Covid test result is required before departure (no more than 48 hours prior to your flight). You will most likely get tested again once you arrive at your destination. Always check each individual country’s rules as these may vary and factor in the extra costs of PCR and rapid antigen tests as well as hotel quarantine costs if required. Check the Foreign Office advice for the most up to date information on your chosen destination. A quick google search will get you onto the right page.

As more people receive the vaccine, rules will most likely change so keep an eye out for updates! In the meantime, you’ll find travel guides, maps, restaurant and cafe reviews and much more here on my blog and on my instagram account.

And so the adventure begins!