Friuli-Venezia Giulia ( Trieste )

TRIESTE

We came to Trieste hoping to explore this cultural city with Austrian influence. However, when we reached Trieste, it was close to 6 pm and the city was rather pitched dark. We have bought our tickets for the night train to Roma Termini station.


However, we realized that could have boarded the train at Venezia as well and could have spent more time in Venezia instead. Nevertheless, since we have landed in Trieste, we should not be sad ( triste ).

We walked towards Piazza Unita’ d’Italia , one of the biggest squares in the whole of Italy. It looks extremely majestic at night as the town hall was lighted up and the floor were dolled with blue lights that were in grid format.

Trieste, formerly belonging to Slovenia was ceded to Italy after WWII. The remains of the Austrian- Hungarian legacy could be found in this dainty city. Unfortunately, it was too dark to catch a glimpse of the waterfront and the promenade.

Lombardia ( Milano )

MILANO

The ride from Courmayeur to Milano is like taking a downward sloping roller coaster. We are entering into Lombardia region which is mainly flat plains. This region is also the rice production centre of Italy and Milano being the financial centre of Italy. Upon our arrival at Porta Garibaldi in Milano, we took the local metro to the main train station and headed for the tourist centre for some recommendation for accommodation.

We chose one hotel within 20 minutes walk from the train station. We were contemplating to go to Lago di Como ( Lake Como ) but decided not to as the sky was beginning to darken around 4pm. Instead we decided to spend our time exploring Milano. The Duomo of Milano was our top destination but unfortunately the façade was undergoing restoration. The photos didn’t turn our well and we could admire her grandeur from the postcard.

As the sky turns complete dark, the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle II was all lighted up. I realized that the photo turned out quite artistic when it was taken at an angle. We strolled along the Galleria and could smell the aroma of Risotto alla Milanese from one crowded restaurant. As it is a month’s time to Christmas (Buon Natale), the shopping malls are all decorated and everyone is in the mood to spend their bonuses to usher the Christmas season. It is also a time when most students will leave Perugia for their hometown to spend time with their love ones.

The next morning, we headed for Castello Sforzesco. It was built on the wishes of the Duke Francesco Sforza. Over the centuries, the castle has undergone various changes, also due to the particular ups and downs that have seriously affected the structure. At the end of the 19th century, a major renovation was made on the whole building. Castello Sforzesco is a majestic building with wonderful interior courtyards, built in Gothic-Renaissance style and incredible halls, designed by Leonardo, and frescos painted by master painters such as Bramante, who were commissioned by the court of Ludovico il Moro. The Castle now hosts important art exhibitions.

Around noon time, we headed for the main train station for our train to Venezia. Unfortunately, the train was late for a whopping 1.5 hours. We began eating the risotto ball ( suppli /arancini ) and the pastries from the grocery store.

In Milan, there is no lack of good quality and wide range of local produces like prosciutto crudo, parmigiano, pasta and wine as it is one of the wealthiest city in Italy.