Milan

Oct 5-8, 2012
AC872 YYZ-FRA, LH270 FRA-LIN, LH273 LIN-FRA, AC877 FRA-YYZ

Although we’ve been to Italy a number of times, we’ve been doing it in short chunks.  This time we took advantage of a cheap airfare and explored Milan.  I took advantage of some free hotel nights and we stayed at the amazing Park Hyatt right in the centre of the city.  The hotel is connected to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II which is apparently one of the oldest malls in the world (1867).  We had some very nice fall weather and although I didn’t have specific expectations for Milan, we did make sure to get the required advance reservations to view The Last Supper.  The controls and time limits around the painting were quite elaborate, but it was definitely worth having a guided tour to put it in context.  In addition to the painting there were other interesting museums and of course the Duomo the main cathedral.

Oct 5-6
Overnight flight to Frankfurt with morning connection to Milan

After refreshing at the hotel we explore the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele next to the hotel

Castello Sforzesco Fountain outside the castle looking backinto the city

The castle exterior; one of the few views of the Sforza castle without construction

One of the earlier works in the museum of ancient art in the castle interior

Branca tower in the Parco Sempione, Milan’s central park

Looking back on the castle and the rest of the city from the tower

Looking in the opposite direction at Piazza Sempione

The Arch of Peace at Porta Sempione, or the city gate -- the main entrance to the old city

Huge crowds outside the Duomo.  Very different in style than Florence or Rome

Interior of the incredible Duomo

Oct 7
After a good rest we have all day to explore and start with The Last Supper

Exterior of Santa Maria Delle Grazie the home of the Last Supper (no interior photos)

Train building at the da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology

Some of the many da Vinci models in the museum made for a very da Vinci day

More of the large collection in the musuem

Some of the more interesting monuments in the CimiteroMonumentale

Somewhere between a tomb and a statue

A very well lit tomb at the end of our tour

In the Galleria apparently it is good luck to spin on the bull testicles in the fresco

The Galleria lit up at night

One of a number of traditional street cars converted to a roaming restaurant

The roof of the Galleria

The Duomo at the end of a beautiful evening

Oct 8
After a nice evening in Madrid we have an early flight home through Frankfurt