Italy Recap
We are currently at a hotel just outside of Milan, close to the airport. I am in the hotel laundry room doing one load to tie us over until our next washing machine access in mid - January. I am loving these European washing machines that have the laundry detergent already in them. This is by far the cheapest laundry, two euros to wash one euro to dry. Quite peaceful down here in the laundry room (and warm).
We’ve spent the last several days in Bologna. We enjoyed exploring but not sure we would go back. We certainly got our steps in as our hotel was about an hour from the city (walking) through questionable neighborhoods, but all part of the adventure. The hotel staff seemed a bit surprised that we were walking directly from the hotel. We realized very quickly that in order to get to the main street we had to walk through several ladies’ “territories” to do so. And goodness, they start early—-around 3pm! We left Bologna today around noon and took 3 trains (4.5 hours) to get to our hotel just outside of Milan. The cost for 4 tickets on the (obviously) non-direct slow train? $75.
It is our last night in Italy. We’ve been in the country for three weeks and as we wind down at the hotel tonight and get ready to board our plane tomorrow morning we took a few minutes at dinner to reflect on our time here. Italy was Bill's pick. He really wanted to celebrate Christmas and the New Year in Florence.
What was your favorite part of Italy?
M: Mom’s favorite church in Florence was my favorite--the one with the view and the walk up was my favorite part.
B: Uffizi with Mel.
Z: Duomo in Florence and Santa coming
S: Fiesole, the views and reading on the balcony.
Favorite thing to eat?
M: focaccia pizza
B: range of pizzas
Z: margarita pizza
S: Pandoro--and I hope never to see another one!
What surprised you the most about Italy?
M: The trains. I expected them to be more like Swiss trains. They are not. And the sewer smell is everywhere
B: How in decline things look—it seems dirtier, more graffiti, broken windows, and overall rougher around the edges than I remember.
Z: How big it was and that there were so many cool buildings. I thought it would be a little village like Nono and Nona's.
S: The cost of the trains! It was way more expensive than my research had forecasted. Part of that was my fault on the timing of purchasing tickets, but it was still way more than I had anticipated. Like hundreds more. And, I was surprised that the buses required the kids to pay full price as the fare for children was based on height, not age.
What is something new you learned?
M: How to dodge street vendors. Stay together at the market as you can easily get lost. Have small change for bargaining.
B: Navigating public transportation comfortably, getting around and being comfortable.
Z: I learned that the Duomo's dome was built in the herringbone pattern so it wouldn't cave in.
S: Book train travel WAY ahead for the kid discounts---as far ahead as possible, 6+ months!
Would you come back?
M: Yes, Venice, Rome and Florence but not for as long.
B: Yes, Venice. Amalfi coast and Cinque Terre
Z: Yes, to Florence because I liked the Duomo and the free sparkling water fountain. I like Fiesole too.
S: Of course, but probably not for a while. Many other places I want to explore first.
Nono and Nona are going to Florence in March. What should they see?
M: Piazzale Michelangelo — hike up and see the view and the fountain caves on the way up. Also the Uffizi
Z: The Duomo, especially the dome.
S: Mercato Centrale and the street market and also San Miniato al Monte (above Piazzale Michelangelo). Coffee at the department store rooftop.
So that’s a wrap on Italy. We are off to Scotland and just in time, as Zach is all done with museums and I think Melina may be getting close. We are off to Scotland to explore castles, hopefully see sheep, and take in all the beauty. And rain. Good thing I like rain. The kids want to seek out the Loch Ness monster, so that is on the agenda as well. I binge watched Reign and also just watched Mary Queen of Scots, so I feel prepped for some history!
