Jessica just finished her last day of classes, so this week I spent a lot of time relaxing. We went to CrossFit (by running 2 miles there and back - ugh), cooked some delicious meals at her apartment and walked around the city a lot. It has been a great break from all the site seeing and traveling.
CrossFit Milano - awesome Reebox CrossFit box that Jessica has been going to while here
Milan has a few really cool things to see and do...the duomo is one of them. It is a huge cathedral in the city center. We decided to take in a luxurious viewing of it - from a swanky rooftop bar next door, La Rinascente. It's basically a 6 story department store with restaurants, a bar and a market on the top floor. We sipped on an Italian specialty, an aperol spritz, and took in the amazing view.
Aperol Spritz
Amazing looking desserts from the market - there cake pops cost 2.50€ and were half the size of Queens of Pops - so you're welcome
There is also a castle nearby which had a cool German Biergarten type market open when we walked by. Nice to walk around and see foods from around the world with an old castle as the backdrop.
German Biergarten Market
Other than that, we spent the week living like locals (or like Jess has done the last few months at least). We ate a lot of gelato, drank copious amounts of macchiatos, shopped, drank some good wines, and ate all sorts of non-Italian food - sushi, Greek, etc. it was a great way to explore the city without feeling like a tourist. There is a great area in Milan along one of its canals, called Navigli, which I loved! Bustling streets with bars and restaurants. So fun!
One of many gelatos
Statue of Leonardo
Some interesting things I noticed about Italy that were different than the US and Spain...You can push people out of your way here. People are very pushy and if they are in a hurry they just kind of shove you. If you order a coffee of any kind, you pay for it, then go to the next counter and push your way through the crowds, then drink it at a high top table. There are very few to go coffee places in Milan. And their coffee is strong! A macchiato, much to my surprise, was just a shot of (very strong) espresso with a tiny bit of milk to cut the edge. It was not a caramelly treat like Starbucks made me once think. Much better in Italy! English is not spoken everywhere. I'm not sure if Spain was like this, since Stephen speaks fluently (and I could get around fine without it too) so it wasn't ever a problem, but here it is hard to find someone who speaks English. And an awesome difference, they do this thing every day called apertivo. Basically, you go to a bar or restaurant and order a drink. Any drink you want. And then the bring you appertizer type foods for free! Or some have a buffet of little finger foods. Sometimes it's a meat and cheese platter, sometimes little sandwiches, sometimes something completely different. It's pretty awesome!
My first Italian macchiato
On Wednesday, Jess and I went to explore the city and do some shopping and we came across the cutest little cafe ever, La Vineria. This place was basically a growler store for wine! And it was super cheap. We got a bottle to go after our amazing antipasti platter and wine tasting, and it only cost 3€. They also had amazing olive oil which I wanted to drink out of a cup. Needless to say, that is also coming home with me to the US.
La Vineria - our favorite spot in Milan
We got to hang out with some of Jess' friends she had made in Milan and they were great people! We went to a swanky wine bar in the Brera neighborhood and then to drinks at Navigli. We definitely paid for it the next day, not feeling great for the intense CrossFit wod that followed. But totally worth it! They also introduced me to crepes last night and all I can say is I am happy it's our last day in Milan because I would eat one every day otherwise! Tomorrow we are off to Switzerland. Stay tuned for some amazing pics!!
Swanky wine bar in Brera
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