Lago Maggiore

My human secretary did today the most thoughtless thing on Earth. She caught her backpack and run to the train, laving me in another handbag. I was calling her but of course, she only realised it when the train left the station. I was planning to ignore her for some time but the pictures she brought were so amazing that I decided to share them with you. Though I am still angry at her of course. I hope you will still enjoy this trip, even if you will not be able to admire me. 

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We will end our trip to Italy with a cruise on Lago Maggiore. We will start in a lovely village called Stresa. Everybody on board!

Lago Maggiore is the second biggest lake in Italy. The boat makes quite some waves so I hope that your stomachs are resistant.

The lake is dotted with islands. Some of them are very small and populated with water birds.

The crown jewels of the region are the Borromean Islands. This one is called Isola Bella, which means "the beautiful island". You will have the chance to discover yourself that the name is well deserved.

But before we discover Isola Bella, we will make a stop on the Isola dei Pescatori ("island of fishermen").

It includes a small village of fishermen and does not offer much tourist attractions. Just a few restaurants ...

... and the view! On the left you can see yet another island called Isola Madre ("mother island").

On the right - the main shore with Stresa cuddling to the mountain.

Let's return to the pier and get back on board to visit the most beautiful of the islands.

Isola Bella used to be a rocky island in the middle of the lake, until several generations of the noble family of Borromeo decided to invest heavily in turning it into a unique place.

They have built there a huge palazzo.

Inside you can really see and feel the wealth.

In the middle of the ballroom you can admire a miniature of the island.

And admire the ballroom itself of course.

Through the windows you can see the Isola dei Pescatori.

On warmer days the owners could chill out in an artificial grotto.

Or simply go to the garden.

Not impressed? Just follow me to the main entrance.

Isola Bella does not have any permanent inhabitants. Except for this gentleman. 

The impressive structure in the back is called "teatro massimo", though I am not sure if it has ever been used as a theater.

The many niches are filled with some fantastic creatures and topped with, and yes, you have seen it right, a knight riding on a unicorn. Some people just do not understand the term "humble".

From the top, next to the unicorn, you can have a look at the gardens with a small pond.

Behind the teatro you will find the last plot of land on the island.

Let's go down and have a look. Wave your hand to the statues as we pass them by.

Seen from behind, the teatro is magnificent as well.

Time to go back and catch the boat returning to Stresa. Let's take the path by the wall.

The trees that you see are orange trees!

Let's just turn back and take a last look at the lake. If there is a places on Earth that are genuinely close to paradise, Lago Maggiore and Isola Bella are definitely one of them.

Sforza Castle

There are two more important places in Milan that I did not show you last week. First is the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to buy tickets there, since they have to be booked months ahead. The second important place, where Leonardo also worked, is the Sforza Castle. It used to be located in the outskirts of the city, guarding it from one side. Todays it is of course in the city center.

The castle was heavily destroyed over centuries, last time during allied bombings in 1940s. It is beautifully renovated now.

Next to the entry you will find a round-shaped fountain.

The walls of the castle are high since it used to be a citadel. The entrance is possible by one of the gates - this one is called the Tower of Filarete, after the first architect who worked on the castle.

The inner courtyard is square, with towers in each corner, both on the left ...

... and on the right.

In the middle comes of course the Filarete tower. I assume that all these wholes in the walls were used to shoot to attackers. The fact that they are located also in the inner courtyard suggests that the tower was meant to be the last line of defence.

The castle has also some smaller side courtyards, demonstrating a strong protective focus.

The castle was built by the powerful House of Sforza who used to rule Milan for centuries. One of the prominent members was a wife and mother of the first builders, Bona of Savoy. One of the tower is named to honour her.

But not all the inner courtyards are ascetic. Some are really nicely ornamented, making me think more of a palace than a castle. I can understand now better why Bona Sforza (grand-daughter of Bona of Savoy), who grew up here, reconstructed the Wawel castle in Kraków the way she did.

Nowadays, inside the Sforza Castle you can find numerous museums. They include the Museum of Antiquity, the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Musical Instruments and an Armory.

They have also sculptures by Michelangelo.

Let's leave the castle on the other side. First we need to cross the moat.

And then we land in Parco Sempione, one of the largest and nicest parks in Milan.

The building in the back is a triumphal arch called Arch of Peace, which used to be part of the city walls of Milan. It is topped, of course, by several bronze horses. 

Parco Sempione is one of the favourite places where people of Milan spend their free time. They play football, eat, laugh. And they dance. The new and the old, the protection and the joy are all intertangled here. I must say that I really liked this place.

I hope that you have enjoyed the time that we have spent in Milan. But we do not leave Italy yet. Watch out for some new adventures.

The Old Town of Milan

I am happy to show you today the beautiful city of Milan. When I have arrived at the main train station I was not impressed - I have heard so much about it but the platforms looked like any other train platforms in the world.

It is only when I entered the main hall that I understood what this all fuzz was about.

The main train station in Milan was built in the 1930s under the supervision of the fascist dictatorship of Mussolini. It is huge and definitely meant to impress. The walls are decorated with sculptures, paintings and mosaics. This is the entry to the ticket office.

The station was rebuilt a couple of times over the last eighty years so it is quite modern, with elevators and escalators. Still, it keeps its majestic style.

The life of Milan centers nowadays around the Piazza del Duomo or the Cathedral Square. It is surrounded by some nice buildings, housing the most exquisite fashion brands.

In the back, you can spot the Victor Emmanuel II Gallery. It is an amazing place - the little streets are covered by a glass roof that transforms them into a gallery.

Let's enter inside. If you have a wallet packed with credit cards, you can enter one of the shops.

For example this Prada boutique ...

... or the Louis Vitton's one.

I am afraid that the only option for me would be the McDonald's just outside this lane.

By the way - have you noticed the roof? Yes, it is hard  not to notice it.

But did you also look under your feet? Here comes the white cross on a red shield. No, it is not for Denmark or Switzerland. It is the coat of arms of Milan.

Now I wonder how many of you noticed the name of the Piazza we just crossed. And yes, the cathedral of Milan, dedicated to St Mary of the Nativity, is also here. This is one of the biggest that I have ever seen. No wonder, it took almost six centuries to be completed. It is the fifth largest church in the world and the largest in Italy.

The cathedral is basically in the gothic style. It is beautifully ornamented with hundreds of statues and reliefs. Unfortunately it is strictly forbidden to take pictures inside the cathedral.

If we take just a few steps on the left of the Duomo, we will find a building that looks very modest. But do not judge the book by the cover. It is the world famous theater and opera of La Scala.

Inside, it is much more impressive.

There are in total two thousand seats, most of them in individual balconies, each of which has six places.

Below the main stage comes the place for the orchestra.

The building houses also a small museum, where you can see sculptures and paintings of famous singers and composers, ancient playing instruments and some magnificent costumes used in the spectacles produced by the La Scala. This one is from Aida opera. You can see why Milan is considered a capital of fashion.

I hope that you have enjoyed this walk through the Old Town of Milan. Let's now catch the underground because there is one more place in Milan that I want to show you.