Italy (Milano, Florence, Venice)

Following Geneve, we took a very enjoyable train ride into Milano. It was then we realized we hadn't taken down the information of our next couch surfing host, Fabio. No address, phone number, or directions. Fortunately, we soon saw after getting off the train that he was there on the platform waiting for us. He took us back to his flat and cooked us some real Italian pasta. Mmmm.

Next day Fabio took us on a tour of some of Milano's best sites. One interesting thing he showed us was the tilework in the floor of an arcade which shows a bull over a coat of arms. Fabio told us that you are supposed to "put your foot on the bull's balls and spin on your heel".




For every spin, you will get one year of good luck. Well, I'm looking forward to my year.

Next it was off to the expensive shopping area: Prada, Gucci, etc. Oh ya – and Ferrari. I know their cars are expensive, but it looks like Ferrari has been getting into the accessories. Like these sunglasses. Zoom in on the price tag at the bottom right.



Ya, and that's the price in Euros – for a pair of sunglasses. Yikes! FYI 12,700 Euros is over $20,000 CAD.

Fabio next took us to Milano's best cathederal, the Duomo du Milano. I managed to get this stunning shot of its white stone against a threatening sky...




We were only in Milan for three days, and we went to the Duomo each of those days. It was magnificant. On the second day we went inside...



and on our last day we climbed the steps to the roof...

We had hopes of seeing Michaelangelo's famous painting "The Last Supper", but we learned you need to buy a ticket more than a month in advance if you hope to get in to see it. Oh well, next time, I guess!

So then we were off to Florence – home of much of Italy's renaissance art. You know - pieces like Michelangelo's David...

Oh – wait – that's me. Oops. Well, actually, you're not allowed to photograph the David sculpture. But they do have a pretty decent copy of it outside in the piazza (that's it in the background).

Florence has so much art in its many museums, but really, after you've seen 100 paintings of Madonna with child done in gold, well, seeing the next one isn't quite as interesting – even if it was painted by Botticelli. It's almost the same with cathederals, but the Doumo at Florence was different. The exterior was done in flat marble as opposed to ornately detailed carving. But honestly, I found the green and pink to be a bit garish. It was huge, but not beautiful...

Next was a visit to Venice, and I certainly preferred it to Milano and Florence. It was just so unique and in all its crumbling and decay was real beauty. I also didn't realize the amount of canals in the city. It's all canals! Not just two or three – there are hundreds. The streets are entirely for pedestrians. If you want to get around you walk, or take your boat – or a "water bus"...

And of course the scenes from around the city need no commentary. They speak for themselves...

It just so happened that when we were in Venice they were hosting their bi annual contemporary world art fair (the aptly named "biennale"). There were pavillions from many of the world's countries, showing that country's best art. Here's a few pics...

One closing observation about Italy was their invention of pre-made toast. I remember making a joke about this years ago and how it would never work. Well, here in Italy they do it. They actually pre-wrap and sell individual pieces of toast. I think they're missing the point - toast is supposed to be served HOT.