Greg managed to get us tickets on the Metro to Milan cathedral, The Duomo from the ticket machine. He is amazing, they are all different but he can figure out how they work. As we emerge from the Duomo station we see the square is absolutely teeming with people. At first we think it is the queue but it turns out to be a big group of kids in 2 circles clapping and singing. Not sure what that is about. The hawkers are constantly trying to sell us selfie sticks.
The Duomo is spectacular, very ornate with hundreds to figures and gargoyles decorating the spires. We cue for about 15 minutes for tickets to the Duomo. A machine gun toting soldiers inspects our bags. Inside we are stunned by the size of the building- it's huge. The stain glass windows are beautiful. And downstairs we see evidence of churches on this site going back thousands of years.
I decide to climb to the roof terraces while Greg stays inside the cathedral. When I am finished I will phone him to meet me outside. He puts his phone on silent vibrate and we test it. It works fine. Sounds like a great idea ... at the time.
The climb is about 270 steps and the view of the city is great and it is interesting to see the religious icons and detailed work of the mason and sculptures up close. There is an exhibition of modern sculptures in the church and on the roof. It is strange contrast of the classic and the new. It doesn't work for me.
Back on the ground I phone Greg. It rings out. Try again and again. I move closer to the entrance. Then the penny drops. There were no signs inside the Duomo about turning off mobile phones. Why? Because the walls are so thick there is no signal. I try a text message. Five minutes later as I am telling my story to a second official, trying to get beck inside (but no way) Greg comes out. Relief!
Wandering through the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II with all the big brand names I am not tempted. The shirts in the window at Versace I wouldn't buy at op shop prices let alone E400. It is a beautiful building and some of the items are spectacular. It is quite hot by the time we emerge and we decide lunch is in order. La Scala Opera is opposite. Not particularly attractive on the outside, being Monday it is closed so we can' t see inside.
Lunch in the rooftop 'food court' in the le Rinascente department store is a welcome experience.
Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II
la Scala
le Rinascente department store ..... they're chocolate!
Looking at the map, I realise that Corso Buenos Aires, a popular shopping strip is walking distance from our hotel. We head back to Hotel Michaelangelo together then I leave Greg there to shopping alone. The weather has been hotter than I anticipated so I pick up a couple of cotton tops. Not Italian designs but handy for travel.
On the way back to the hotel I see a cafe advertising Italian food only. Back at the hotel I checked it on Trip Advisor. It had largely good reviews so we dined at La Baita, a 5 minute walk from the hotel. My traditiinal risotto Milanese was Ok but Greg's scallopini funghi was melt in the mouth. The pannacotto desert was a great finish.