February 23: Milano

We tried real hard but we’re not able to enjoy the Aquaria Thermal Spa in Sirmione.  After parking our van, we made the 40 minute walk to the spa but were informed that it was fully booked for the next couple of days.  The morning stroll was not a total loss as we were able to explore the lovely old town and gawk at the majestic castle.

Undeterred, we made the 2 hour drive to Milan and settled into the New Park campsite.  After hooking up to our power source, we took the train into downtown Milan.  Our first stop was the impressive Duomo, which rivals the ones we’ve seen in Florence and Bologna.  The main square along with surrounding areas were bustling with activity as tourists and locals roamed the busy streets. Fashion is king here in Milan as evidenced by the well dressed locals, huge billboards and high end clothing stores.  I could have been in a tuxedo and still would have felt underdressed.

After a quick dinner, we made the trek to Navigli where we strolled along the canal, which was littered with upscale bars and restaurants. We stopped into an art gallery and listened to some music.  Navigli seems to be the place where the cool people hang out.