Milan, Italy

This Easter break we decided to take a trip south.  Partially our decision was made due to the convenient direct flight from the Luxembourg airport.  We went to Milan. Few days before our departure we saw that the weather people were promising rain both days, but we "lucked out".  Saturday we had just a  few drops in the evening, but Sunday was a drizzly day ;(((((.

My personal opinion, two days in Milan with the kids is plenty, especially in the bad weather.
On this evening of our arrival to Milan we learned that all Metro workers were striking :(((((. 
We made a quick stop at McDonald's before we got in line for taxi. 

Next two pictures show olive oil and grissini (thin breadsticks) that are served with the salad.

 

 

 

Next day we headed out to Duomo, the main cathedral in Milan.  Here are some awesome views.

Our kids climbing the walls while we are taking pics.

 

Beautiful floors inside the cathedral.

 

...and the stained glass.

 

These are two small mausoleums in the cathedral.  While we have seen the statutes portraying deceased bishop before, this is the first time we have seen the glass cover and the ....

 

....actual mummified corps.  I am not sure if that is correct term for this example. I will be looking into this a little closer.

 

More beautiful stained glass.

 

Famous sculpture of the Apostle Bartholomew, holding his skin.

 

Part of the cathedral was blocked off from tourists.  In the picture below there is a confessional with the red light on, which means it is occupied,

Next to the cathedral is the famous shopping mall, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. We did not do any shopping.  Do not have money for the Pradas and other high priced brands.

 

 

As we continued our strolling through the streets of Milan we came across the fundraising market for the local church and several charities.   I found couple of beautiful pieces for my kitchen.

 



And then PIZZA time.  This little place was recommended by one of the sale ladies at the fundraising market.

 

Our next stop was the Leonardo de Vinci Science and Technology Museum.  On the way we came across other museum, Pinacoteca di Brera.  We did not visit the exposition but it was interesting to learn that it has some foremost collections.

 

 

 

We walked by the Porta Sempione, city gate of Milan.

 

And then we finally made it to the Museum.  This church is located in the same square as museum, it is likely to share the wall.  The square if located on the ancient burital sight dated back to 4 century A.D,

 

Ian is climbing on Ashley ;)))

 

Inside the museum...

 

one of the old pieces broken of the Duomo Cathedral.

 

Old computer.  It was fun to show our kids the portable computers from the 80s.

 

Display of Leonardo de Vinci machines.

 

Break Time!!!

 

Carolyn trying to send a message using Morse code.

 

Ian creating chemical formulas.

 

Submarine outide the museum

 

Smallest submarine/torpedo.  Two person team would ride it and then attach it to the enemy ship during WWII.

 

After all that kids were ready for some GELATO!!!  Adults were ready as well. 

Interesting fact: no VANILLA flavor.

 

Pictures of couple of churches in Milan.

 

Day two was not as eventful.  It was raining, drizzling to be exact.  First we attended the antique market that was held about 1 km away from our hotel but about an hour later our kids were spent so we tried out some local cusine.  Here is the pic of the olive oil can they served with our bread.

 

 

 

I ordered onion soup and that is what I got.  It is covered with bread, not really a pizza crust but still thin and very tasty.

 

Next stop Sforza Castle.

 

some great things we saw inside...

 

Michelangelo's unfinished Pieta. Not as impressive as the one in the Vatican, but still really awesome.

 

Cool old trunks.  We love old trunks.

 

More gelato;))))) These three did not care that is was cold and rainy outside.  We had very few other ways to entertain the kids.  Carolyn discovered her new favorite flavor: coconut.

 

Overall it was a good trip,  The weather was much cooler that we have hoped for, but we did get only one rainy day. Our kids were troopers.  We had to do a LOT of walking, even though we did utilize the public transport a little.

 

Last view of Milan.  Electric cars charging.