Cefalu to Milan

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

We left a very quiet Cefalu at 6:00 this morning to head for Palermo’s airport before the worst of the morning traffic. The flight to Milan was about an hour and a half and it was rainy and gray upon our arrival. By the time we checked into our airport hotel and headed for the city, the rain had abated, though it did make several appearances on and off throughout the afternoon.

We walked along the lovely, wide, Via Dante, which is given over to pedestrians and forms a wonderful link between the massive dark bulk of the Castel Sforzesco and the lacy, pink-tinged marble façade of the cathedral. The Duomo is one of the largest Gothic churches in the world, with five soaring naves and a capacity of 40,000 people. After lingering there, we took a slow stroll through the adjacent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, as lovely a shopping arcade as you’ll find anywhere, to the Piazza della Scala and its grand opera house.

We spent some time exploring the area known as Milan’s golden quadrilateral, the home of the elegant shops that make this city an international fashion capital and then just wandered around a bit, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed back to the hotel to catch up on English-language TV and prepare for tomorrow’s early departure for home. Jane’s flight to Newark leaves at the same time as ours to Philadelphia, which will make things easier all around.

Thanks to all of you who’ve followed along with us, and especially those who communicated along the way. It’s been a great trip, but we’re ready to head for home, our own bed and shower, and an occasional opportunity to sleep late.

Ciao, cari amici!

Mel and Tom