Italy 2017

Great pictures!

 

Day 5: American Brunch and Piazzale Michelangelo
We got a late start to day 5 as we ended up going out the night before which culminated in 4AM street pizza. So imagine my excitement when I found a place that had american brunch right around the corner. Bacon, eggs, sausage, drip coffee, mimosas, and bloody Mary's made me a very happy camper and completely erased my hangover. After brunch we spent a couple of hours in a coffeeshop as we both had some work to catch up on before heading off to Piazzale Michelangelo to catch the sunset. We got to the top with about an hour and a half left before sunset so we grabbed some drinks and snagged some pictures of the city. After watching an amazing sunset and exploring the plaza we headed off to dinner near the Ponte Vecchio.

Dinner was amazing with some of the best gnocchi I've ever had. It was a little rich because of the truffle oil but this was balanced out by an amazing salted pork appetizer we had. After dinner was over we managed to walk it off just enough to make room for some gelato on the way home.

A familiar sight


Panoramic view of Florence


Bronze statue of Michelangelo's David


"Love Florence"


Dinnertime!


Four Cheese Truffle Gnocchi


Gelato for Dessert

 

Day 6: Food
Didn't do much sightseeing on Day 6 as we spent the majority of the day studying. However we more than made up for that by eating our way across the city!

The paninis in Europe are larger than your head!


$250,000 Bentley SUV left on the street


When you get coffee at the Gucci Museum, you get Gucci sugar


Yes, that's a waterfall of real chocolate


If I hadn't eaten enough gelato on this trip this sealed the deal; Six Euro got us a chocolate filled crepe made right before our eyes and two scoops (stracciatella and espresso) of gelato.

 

Day 7: Florence, Italy to Milan, Italy
Today marked the beginning of the end for this trip as we had to leave Florence and head into Milan for my flight the next afternoon. While the GF was in her exam I went and found one last panini before leaving the city (I'm surprised I haven't turned into one at this point). We headed off to Milan and after checking into the hotel we went off to explore before dinner. Though it was Carnivale throughout the rest of the Catholic world Milan celebrates a week late and we had the city to ourselves as we explored Piazza Duomo before heading to the top of the Rinascente for dinner at the MAIO Restaurant. We didn't realize it at the time but we stumbled into a five course menu paired with wines from La Collina dei Ciliegi winery. It was hands down one of the best meals I've ever had in my life. I didn't think I was going to be able to move once everything was said and done. The pictures don't do it justice.

Last panini of the trip


The Italians have the train thing figured out


Duomo di Milano


Course 1: Filet of trout in salting, its eggs, cucumber extract and spicy sprouts


Course 2: Pumpkin souffle, quartirolo cheese and black truffle


Course 3: Spicy creamy rice and Jerusalem artichokes


Course 4: Pink lamb in a crust of marrow


Course 5: Chocolate 360

 

Nice nice. Thanks for the write up!

 

Anytime! I was beginning to think I was only writing them for myself

 

No sir.

My fall visit to the EU is evolving some so I'm sure I'll be visiting some of the same areas/places you've posted pics. There are def a few places I've been to, it's a great spot.

 

Mine is evolving as well, adding Switzerland and Venice into the travel mix

 

We loved Switzerland. Vacationed there twice a year for several years. It was great skiing/snow boarding in the alps during the winter and then going back to the same mountains in the summer hiking. Alpine cheese...yummmm!

 

We'll only be in Switzerland for 2 nights max and are planning on going to Lucerne, any advice?

 

Find a quaint restaurant for breakfast or supper. Great fondue. Don't know much about Lucerne as we always avoided the cities and went to the smaller mountain villages.

 

From what I've read it seems to be the best of both worlds, it's not a huge city and you get the lake/mountain combo. I'd love to have a little bit more time to explore and head up to some of the villages, but we'll have to save that for another trip

 

It should be beautiful. We spent most of our time near Interlaken and Kanderstag which is not too far from Lucerne. I loved the architecture of the older homes. The woodwork is amazing.

 

We might try and take a day trip up into the mountains if possible!

 

Some great mountains for sure. I spent most of my time in Kandersteg, but my wife and daughter went to Adelboden several times in the summertime. I could easily spend the rest of my life in the Swiss alpine. Of all the places I've been, Switzerland was the most beautiful.

If you do any shopping, Mammut is one of the better brands of outdoor gear and can be found there relatively cheap. Think North Face on steroids.

 

I'm familiar with Mammut and VERY familiar with their prices, hence why I don't own anything. Might have to come back with a jacket or two if that's the case

 

Great man. I've been to Switzerland & Venice several times and due a family member who hadn't visited we will again this fall.

Lucerne & vinice are both on our menu.

I like Lucerne, it's not a small town but sure isn't a Zurich either. It's a great little town. I hope you're driving a car because depending on the time of year you travel the scenery is incredible. And as @kodiakisland pointed out Interlaken is a nice spot...beautiful.

As far as Venice goes. Pretty touristy but extremely cool. Well worth a visit...very unique. I've stayed on Lido Island and commuted by boat to and from Venice (no rooms that time), stayed near St. Marks square during Mardi Gras (quit a sight and nothing like NOLAs version) & I've stayed near Realto Bridge. All pretty convenient but staying on Venice is better.

 

I bought several pants and jackets there at very reasonable prices. If you are into mountaineering boots you will find some great ones as well. It was a weakness of mine.

I should clarify the prices are good compared to the prices here. Still expensive, but very much worth it. I usually paid 50-60% less than US prices.

 

We will be staying on the island in Venice, that's the only way to do it IMO. We won't have a car, taking the train up from Florence, car rental rates were astronomical

 

Maybe I'll just get a light windbreaker then