Experiences and memories are the ultimate souvenirs of life. While traveling we gather more and more of these precious gifts. Nothing says European adventure like a plan that includes planes, trains and yes boats and ships. And the train stories I have will fill a book!
The northern region of Italy is most described as the business minded region. We also found a lot of fun and beauty along the way!
Our stay in Milan was only one night but there was so much to see! Tickets to see The Last Supper and the Teatro alla Scala were highlights during this quick stop. Enjoy a short photo tour of this beautiful city in northern Italy.
Bob started making friends early during this adventure.
Learn more: https://www.teatroallascala.org/it/index.html
Tesla spotted!
Observing families exploring our world is one of my favorite things while traveling.
We encountered several groups of middle and high school students-more on that later!
We heard the most beautiful opera song from this performer.
Several friends asked for photos of us. Maybe they wanted proof we were actually traveling!
This store keeper was so friendly and kind! We used a lot of pantomime and I was able to enjoy a mid morning snack. He followed me out of his store to assure I had my purse secured telling me to be careful because some not nice people around! So thoughtful! I know zero Italian but always attempt to say hello, please and thank you. I love how with just a little effort two people can communicate without speaking each other’s language.
A visit to Milan would just not be complete without seeing The Last Super painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1495-1498. Tickets to view the painting are limited and not easy to buy online but I persisted and obtained tickets!
The photo below is showing the unique way this museum has attempted to make The Last Supper available to the visually impaired.
Our stay in Milan was just one night. There is so much more to see in this fashion and financial center. We will need to return.
Train travel is more than an adventure on this trip! We would travel by train between Milan and Varenna and then from Varenna to Rome. Once in Rome for a few days we would take a train from Rome to the port of Civitavecchia
in order to embark on an ocean cruise. But before we can sail the open waters we needed to conquer the train system! All the rail incidents are humorous as we look back but at the time they were frustrating and even a bit scary! One trip we found ourselves with seats but absolutely nowhere to store our suitcases. See photo below!
Imagine, even more train stories! For probably many different reasons none of which is clear to me the platform (track) number is not posted until minutes (which seem like seconds) before the train leaves. Again imagine crowds with suitcases, babies, tote bags, backpacks, the kitchen sink - you get the idea. This crowd is staring at an electronic display waiting anxiously for a platform to be posted. Finally posted now the swarm moves uncoordinated to the platform entrance. Now let’s find our couch number. During our recent trip to Japan we learned the numbers and even the line placements were written on the platform. New country and a new system. Disregard the numbers on the platform and only look for coach number digitally displayed on the train. And yes the digital numbers sort of appear and disappear. This was all a bit confusing for me as I tried to lead us to the correct coach. Now we are inside the train trying to drag our suitcases to the correct car. Seems others had a confusing morning as well because many passengers were doing the same! At some stations passengers are allowed to have guests onboard bidding them goodbye! Very nice but now these guests are trying to get off as passengers are trying to board!
Even with all these incidents the experiences and the destinations make it all worthwhile. We have learned a few things and that will make future train travel easier. Then again our next train is with a different company and different system!
One of our first train rides we sat in the only seats open and very quickly discovered the only luggage storage was the compartments above our heads. Mind you they are not enclosed like on an airplane. Somehow Bob muscled the suitcases above his head and onto the shelf. We conversed with a young couple across from us. As the train started to slow at our destination we heard a loud crash. A suitcase sled off the shelf and hit the young man in the head! He was okay but it could have been much more serious.
I have decided we need a solution to the “luggage problem”. I believe I have the beginning of a great solution but it needs much more development. If any of my readers know a patten attorney or an entrepreneur willing to help please contact me!
I decided to downsize in the middle of our train adventures. I donated the green suitcase and a few clothes and packed lighter in the tan case. Much easier for me to handle and move up and down train cars and cobblestone streets!
On another train trip we decided to bypass a crowd of passengers to perhaps get to a less crowded coach. Well it took us too long to get around them and as we started to get onboard we heard the warning bell as the door started to close! I was on the train and Bob was still on the platform with at least one of our suitcases! With a lot of pushing and shoving to keep the door from shutting Bob barely threw the suitcase in and jumped onboard. What a wild ride!
Enough about or train escapades. Our first train journey took us to Varenna on the shore of Lago do Como or Lario. (Lake Como) A beautiful mountain lake in the shadow of the pre-Alp region. The lake is surrounded by Monte Grona Resegone, Corni do Canzo and the Grignetta.
Learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Como
This will be the backdrop for a very special day for us. We chose to have a Commitment Ceremony in Tremezzo. The setting was beautiful and the ceremony was perfect. Something special we shared with each other as we committed to being partners along life’s journey.
March 15, 2024 Tremezzo, Italy
This was our Italian team who planned everything for us. They did a great job!
We spent several days exploring the area by taking ferries to various cities on the shore of Lake Como. It is a gorgeous part of Italy and we will need to visit again!
While visiting Bellagio Bob befriended a cat. Everyone who knows Bob can believe that! The cat followed him until the property line then sat and pouted as he watched Bob walk away.
Pause for an editorial comment: The photo above shows what we observed over and over and over again. People posing in specific locations and poses as their travel partners took numerous photos. Social media goals that don’t always encourage learning and exploring. Editorial concluded-back to traveling!
My favorite thing to do especially in small towns is to have a coffee and watch the town wake up. It is fun watching parents walk their children to school and markets opening for the day.
Photos share just a hint of the beauty and splendor we experienced in Milan and Lake Como.
Travel with us during my next post and you will experience Florence and Rome!
“The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life.”
~Anonymous
