Culture, Cuisine and Chasing the Lights

[amaroo]

Wow, wow and wow some more. That is spectacular!

It was spectacular. I've got plenty more... I'll post them when I get to the Tromsø bit.

 

[love_the_life]

Fantastic, looking forward to seeing some more and I promise to be patient. We liked Tromso when we were there (albeit only for one night before embarking on the cruise ship). We had enough time to poke around and see a few things. Stayed at Radisson Blu from memory. There's plenty to see in your TR just getting to Tromso!

 

[amaroo]

Dang! Would have driven past Bergamo about three years ago en route Venice-Bellagio. Didn't realise how sensational it was. Oh, well an excuse to go back when I get a moment .

We really enjoyed Bergamo. Italy is blessed with beautiful hilltop towns... add the food, wine, people - almost perfect.

 

[JohnM]

We really enjoyed Bergamo. Italy is blessed with beautiful hilltop towns... add the food, wine, people - almost perfect.

Sure is - been to plenty, but missed Bergamo. Can't do 'em all, I guess .

 

[amaroo]

The Taxi ride into Milan took around 45mins, I paid the driver who drove off with a big grin on his face.

The reason for concern about timing, trains, taxis ... 3 months earlier I'd completed the frustrating task of purchasing tickets to view The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.

We had a 15min time slot to view the painting (mural), if you miss it - tough luck.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper_(Leonardo_da_Vinci)

We collected our pre-booked tickets and waited for our viewing time.

The last supper is located in Santa Maria delle Grazie

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_delle_Grazie_(Milan)

The tickets cost €19 (kids are free + booking fee), you must collect your tickets 20 mins before your allotted time, you get 15 mins in groups of 25.



Waiting room for our 1pm viewing



Santa Maria della Grazie...



Well worth making the time to visit. Although the painting has been fiddled with over time - it's impressive, and has an interesting history.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Normally need to book online before you go. When I last went to see Il Cenacolo or L'Ultima Cena, as they say, I was told it had finished!

Entry for the day that is! :evil: But I managed to join a pre-booked group when two didn't turn up.

 

[amaroo]

Normally need to book online before you go. When I last went to see Il Cenacolo or L'Ultima Cena, as they say, I was told it had finished!

Entry for the day that is! :evil: But I managed to join a pre-booked group when two didn't turn up.

Trying to find the website to book the "official" tickets is a PITA! You're bombarded with other sites offering tickets mixed with tours at big €€€

Good idea to book on-line or phone when the tickets are released (2/3 months before) as they get snapped up very quickly.

If anyone is interested, this is the site to secure tickets Vivaticket: biglietti online, prevendita concerti, biglietti spettacoli

The process on-site is efficient and well managed. Quite amazing to see one of Italy's major tourist attraction void of people...

It's supposeed to be a "no-photo" attraction... they didn't manage that very well!

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>
It's suppose to be a "no-photo" attraction... they didn't manage that very well!

Is it Italy? Is the Pope a Catholic?

 

[amaroo]

With the last supper done and dusted we made our way to the Duomo.

Interesting mix of traffic waiting for the tram...





Hopped on the tram, tried to pay however, the fellow smiled and waved me away



Duomo Di Milano

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milan_Cathedral

 

[amaroo]

Tickets sorted, we made our way to the rooftop terrace.

You can see the permanent ticket office to the right.











Excellent! A must when in Milan.

 

[irv]

Sorry, call me a philistine, but when I see a portion of food on a large plate with a couple of dots placed around it, ripped off comes to mind, especially if they charge like wounded bulls.

 

[irv]

We have two nights in HKG before flying to FCO.

Staying at Cordis (Langham Place) in a Residence connecting to Club place - with club benefits.

The Residence

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I know my first destination in my RTW, thank you.

 

[Milboo]

I think the £100 was worth the stickybeak! What a gorgeous morning and I am guessing it had that hush that comes with fresh snow?

I remember posting in the thread with you re the Last Supper tickets. I'm pleased you got to see it. I remember moving away from the group I was with and just taking it all in without the guide spiel.

And Milan...oh I loved Milan. I can still taste the fresh orange juice and the beautiful prosciutto and mustard fruits we had at this little cafe not far from the Duomo.

 

[amaroo]

Sorry, call me a philistine, but when I see a portion of food on a large plate with a couple of dots placed around it, ripped off comes to mind, especially if they charge like wounded bulls.

LOL, maybe you should divert your eyes irv :idea: there are plenty more dots on the way :mrgreen:

 

[amaroo]

Down from the Terrace we joined the queue for the Duomo.

View from the queue.

 

[amaroo]

Oh, what a beauty!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Sorry, call me a philistine, but when I see a portion of food on a large plate with a couple of dots placed around it, ripped off comes to mind, especially if they charge like wounded bulls.

Take no notice Amaroo! Less 2KG steaks. Bring on the morsels!

 

[amaroo]

Battistero Paleocristiano - 4th century ruins under the Duomo

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/milan-baptistery





Some window shopping and our time in Milan was coming to an end.

 

[amaroo]

We got the train back to Bergamo

Not sure why - but I like train stations.

We were lucky to get seats together... very full.







Nice journey. Decided that I'd had my fill of Funicular rides for the day - I went hunting for a taxi to take us up to the hotel.

Unbelievably, the first one in the queue was our still smiling driver from the morning.... we all had a good laugh.

The best way to cap off a big day.

 

[amaroo]

We were so impressed with Hostaria we broke a golden rule of travel... we made another booking.