Europe – “Riding the Rails” – Milano & Modena, Italy – (13)

Departing Verona was difficult but only because we were not ready to leave. Our train ride to Milan was fairly short and direct, and, arriving in Milan was a treat because the train station is so beautiful. It was built in the 1930’s and “is grander than the city’s palaces.” It is huge, not just large but huge, and, it is extremely busy with throngs of people coming and going and waiting. The trains are very accessible as the platforms are all on one level. Also, as Milan is a beginning and ending terminal for the trains, more time is afforded for getting on and off the trains, which makes for less stressful arrivals and departures.

Our hotel is the Velvet Grey, a boutique hotel in the heart of the designer stores. Prada, Gucci, Hermes, Cartier, Valentino, Bottega, Ferragamo. . .name a designer, and, a store is within two blocks of where we are. Milan is one of the few places where we have seen people dressed in such stylish ways that seem to indicate that they actually shop in these stores

For our first evening here we had dinner in a 1920’s rolling street car that had been converted into a restaurant. A four-course meal is served while the street car drives around the city, on wheels but following the street car routes. Although the food was fairly average, it was a great two-hour tour of the city and fun.

From Milan we made a day trip, this time at Steve’s request, to and from Modena. Those into automobiles will know that Modena is known for its automotive industry, and, our purpose in going was a private tour of the Maserati factory. It was a comprehensive tour, and, as the production line was not actually going, we were able to really “inspect” the process. Enrico, of course, provided Steve with all the details to order a Maserati directly from the factory. I have to admit I was surprised that it was as interesting as it was, and, as always, you learn fun facts. There was a small line of red pickup trucks being produced, which seemed out of place. It seems Maserati manufactures these pickups for the scuba diving team of the Italian fire department.

Milan is an expensive city; according to USB Global Wealth Management it is the world’s seventh most expensive city. Its wealth originally came in part from controlling the mountain passes that linked the city’s trade and traffic with lands to the north. Its role is still commerce as Milan is Italy’s business center.

A commercial center that is also a must-see in Milan is the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II with its 19th century glass ceiling. It was opened in 1878. And another of Milan’s must-sees is the Duomo, which is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. It was 500 years in the making. And, since the Duomo and Galleria are located right next to each other, it is easy to ooh and aw at the Duomo and then wander through the Galleria perusing the extravagant shops or dining at one of the many restaurants, all of which we did.

And so we bid addio to Italy. The train whistles keep calling.