Wish you were here! Postcard from Milan

Milan Galleria Vittorio Emanuele  

Where are we: Italy

Day One: Milan

Distance: 320 miles

Riding time: Five hours, three pit stops.

Weather: Perfect blue sky, 95 F most of the way.

Where we stayed:Watttredici Hotel

Cost B&B: 69 euro for two, with a breakfast to feed a king, queen and all of Italy, and then some.

First Impressions: Red bricks, orange tiled roofs along the coastal drive, looked like marmalade
spreading towards the blue sea. Italian style driving over 100 mph on the
freeway! Sculpture facades. Men in business suits with chic shoes and no socks. Young women in the shortest shorts and shortest skirts, large rectangular cobble stone, old fashion trams, friendly-talkative-wonderful people!

Watttiredici hotel

Our hotel, (part of the deal I made with French Husband, remember?)

The first thing I did when we arrived in Milan, was jump in the shower. French Husband wanted to jump in to… but I reminded him that HE wanted to rough it! Remember?

Oh there is nothing like a hot shower. Glorious.

The Watttredici hotel is modern, delightful, and spacious.

Milan duomo Galleria Vittorio Emanuele  

Then we headed for the center of Milan, the road was cobbled with large rectangular stones. I was in love instantly.

We hopped on Willow and went through a million back streets, it was wonderful! It felt like "A Roman Holiday"! We rode right into the city square! Wow, was the first word we uttered.

Duomo milan facade

One of the many windows of the Duomo. A masterpiece of sculptures. I kept bumping into people as I was too busy looking up.

Milan Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 

Milan Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Enormous covered passage way, filled with shops and has mosaic marble floor… stunning.

Marble floor milan interior

Marble floor, bull , Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

While riding on the bike, from Marseille to Milan, I started to fall asleep. (It is a serious problem I have: Falling asleep at the wheel, and on motorcycles.) I could not stay awake, even though I sang out loud, pinched myself, chewed gum… it was hopeless, and dangerous. I motioned French Husband to pull over at the next gas station. When we arrived, I sluggishly got off and slept-walked into the station and bought a RED BULL.

It was the worse tasting thing I have ever had.

But, boy oh boy did it do the trick. I was HYPER awake the rest of the trip, and probably for the rest of my life! Sparkling edge, senses sharpened, Sleep no more!

Thank you dear Sacha for telling me about Red Bull, I might never be the same.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the bull mosaic milan 


 "There is a curious custom in Milan, if you are passing through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, that you should spin around on the testicles of the bull mosaic found in the center. Legend has it that this will bring you good luck! Spot the tourists as they stand and watch and take pictures, whilst locals do it with casual style, simply swirling their foot on the required spot and continuing, as if nothing had happened…" 


Milan facade

Rose colored facades adorn the city, at sunset it was gorgeous! You must go on the roof top of the Duomo, AMAZING!

Stone columns by the Duomo 

Pretty ladies standing tall, so Italian, chic and comfortable in there skin.

Dinner trolly milan

Had dinner at a jammed pack restaurant called Be Bop. Their menu was a mile long, and full of vegetarian fair. The pizza was made on a paper thin, and I mean thinner than a potato chip crust! It was incredible.

Dinner train milan

There was an old fashion trolley car that was a dinner car and rode through the city. It looked very romantic, so we followed it and that is how we found Be Bop.

Carved faces milan

Because French Husband thought we needed a a little more adventure to our ride to Prague he entered us in a motorcycle show in Italy, can you see us?



Comments

64 responses to “Wish you were here! Postcard from Milan”

  1. oh my Corey.. what a dream you are living! Ride safe! xoxo

  2. So excited (and grateful) you are taking us with you on your road trip!
    (careful of that red bull – headaches)

  3. Thank you for taking us along. I love seeing everything. Looks like a motorcycle with hotel stays is the way to go!

  4. I love all you share
    Thank you
    for everythingโ™ฅ

  5. Ana Jacas

    I can feel the wind in your hair the sleepiness and the rush of the red bull, the joy of being able to have a shower and the enjoyment that you are experiencing. Your words convey me to your side and you write so that i can see the tiniest detail. i cannot wait for the next instalment.
    After this I think that I will have a good trip guide. Maybe I need to buy a motorbike and be adventurous, not so much fun on your own though!!
    Love
    ana

  6. Julie Ann

    You sound so happy and it all looks unbelievably cool. Enjoy every moment but be careful of the Red Bull – you dont even drink coffee ! I drank vodka red bull over one Christmas and ended up awake for about 3 days !
    Love to both of you, Jx

  7. What an adventure…I’m living vicariously!

  8. What fun! I can just picture the two of you streaming along. It’s great that we are being “taken along” on your trip!
    I thought of you yesterday as I spent the afternoon on the back of a friend’s motorcycle. We chased a storm up and down half-circle hills in eastern New York state and as we sped along the Hudson River’s edge, I thought of you, holding on tight!

  9. Thanks for taking us with you, it looks amazing. Keep safe.

  10. Sounds like your first day was fantastic!!!
    Ride Corey ride!!!

  11. Corey
    Glorious! I feel like I am on my honeymoon and we are riding along with the two of you vicariously. Silly perhaps, imaginative yes! Wonderful trip so far, Milan looks beautiful โ€“ wish you were here postcard perfect…
    100 miles per hour โ€“ oh those Italian speedsters, they must all be drinking Red bull then twirling on the bull testicles for luck before they get on the road.
    Thanks for sharing your dream. . .
    Joanny

  12. Hi Corey!
    I am so happy that you have taken us with you! I laughed outloud about your newly found red bull wings.
    Everything looks so wonderful- what an adventure!!! You are my hero, dear Corey!
    Living it large and outloud,
    xo Isa

  13. Oh Corey, I am so happy for you and French Husband! I know your dear dad is watching you from above with a huge smile on his face!
    And what is it with teenage boys and Red Bull? lol My oldest son picked some up at the grocery store and I panicked before I realized what it was! lol

  14. How on earth are you able to post such wonderful things while on the road??? You once again amaze me my friend~
    I am so happy to be able to experience this vacance through your eyes – how lucky are we?!?
    Safe travels,
    xo

  15. Julie Loeschke

    It’s so beautiful that it makes my eyes water! I’m so glad you took your camera. Oh, and yes, I could see you. You are the best ones in your row! Be safe.

  16. Thanks for including us on your ride. Who is more excited – us or you? Good wishes on the next leg of your trip.

  17. Marilyn

    Corey,
    What a wonderful adventure you’re sharing with us! And yes…I think we all wish we were there with you in Milan. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Your photos are just amazing. I can almost hear the sound of traffic in the streets, the hum of conversations and the taste of that pizza.
    Looking forward to the next update!
    Marilyn (in Dallas)

  18. Corey, youโ€™re a naughty girl, pulling my leg. You had me expecting pictures of you all wind tossed and rumpled, with brambles in your hair from roughing it on the side of the road and here you are none the worse for wear and taking divine photos of beautiful sights as always. (worlds longest sentence, sorry!)
    You most certainly have touring on a motorbike in your blood (and a world class rump to last so long) โ€“ I would have a migraine and collapse into a crabby appleton mood, immediately given the chance. But you โ€“ you go sightseeing!!!
    I forgive you but I expect to see photos of you in a tent, around a campfire next, preparing a meal of foraged mushrooms for FH teehee!
    Looking forward to the next installment of Corey and FH from the road โ€ฆ

  19. welltraveled10@yahoo.com

    Thank you,thank you..I am remembering my many trips thru Italy..You MUST stop at Lake Como and take the boat around the lake..PURE MAGIC.. I have traveled the world my entire life and this is my favorite place on earth..

  20. FABULOUS!!!!

  21. Fantastic!!! You found a way to write from the road! WOW!! Love the pics, and the motorcycle show – I spotted you – the only ones with black helmets! Please stay safe and tie yourself to Yann so that you won’t fall off. I’m serious!! Ciao! Cy

  22. Jeanette M.

    Thank you Corey. I so enjoyed my trip to Milan this morning. I couldn’t wait to see what you two have been up to. I practically walked from my bed straight to the computer to find out and I was not disappointed. I love looking at the world through your eyes. Milan is now on my “must see” list! Safe travels.

  23. Wow Corey, cannot believe you and french husband are there…:-) Thanks for taking us on this super trip. I never made it to Milan a few years ago, but hey maybe next time ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. Definitely for your book……..and the book will become a favorite movie and perhaps win an Oscar!!!!
    Your pics are stunning – you never let us down dear Corey. Stay safe, hang on, and have a Red Bull on me!

  25. If you go to Lake Como, you must see if you can meet Rowena from http://rubbahslippahsinitaly.blogspot.com/..
    she lives in Lecco on the Lake.. ๐Ÿ™‚

  26. What a beautiful city……thanks for the tour.

  27. Diogenes

    Dear Corey,
    Thanks for the wonderful pictures.
    If you don’t like Red Bull, Starbuck’s makes a drink that comes in a can with basically the same ingredients. Except it tastes good. It comes in vanilla, chocolate and coffee flavors.
    Hope you’re having a wonderful voyage.
    Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow (as you’re going through the Alps)…Are you going to Salzburg? I always wanted to do a “Sound of Music” tour there.

  28. Just a tiny bit jealous I confess…but relishing the chance to ride along with you! Thanks.

  29. Brother Mathew

    Guys,
    Enjoying the ride. Great bike Bro Yann.

  30. How exciting your journey is! I’m enjoying the highlights you are sharing with us – thank you!

  31. martina

    Thank you for the tour of Milan! Hope you did your turn spinning on the mosaic. Keep safe.

  32. Corey, I’m so excited about riding along with you and Yann. Your photos are incredible and this armchair traveler looks forward to your every post.
    Stay safe and have fun you adventurer you.
    Carolyn

  33. How exciting..I will be checking in every morning. $100 for 2 in that gorgeous hotel? I have never seen prices like that. The city is gorgeous and thank you for sharing a piece of it with us.

  34. Your title is so appropriate… heck yeah I wish I was there! However, your report and photos make me feel as if I’m close to there. Thanks for sharing!

  35. what fun, Corey!

  36. Therese

    This is wonderful, thank you Corey, for taking us with you!

  37. i love milano!!! glad that you two are having a marvelous time!
    xx

  38. How much fun! So carefree………..

  39. What a wonderful first day – and you found time to post as well – I’m in awe!
    I used to down chocolates called Pocket Coffees to keep me awake on the road when driving back home from Italy. They are essentially an espresso shot in a dark chocolate shell… and they work! But only if you like chocolate, and espresso, I guess.

  40. Just had a thought, Corey – would it be OK to put a link to your blog from Just The Planet home page and mention your road trip?

  41. Kathleen

    this is wonderful your readers get to go on tour with you too!wow was my reaction too on seeing the duomo last year.having walked through the vittorio emmanuelle shopping arcade i had never heard of that custom about the bull!maybe i will use it as an excuse to go back?looking forward to the next stop,

  42. THANK YOU, Corey!
    Your pictures and descriptions are both wonderful. I love the beautiful lighting at sunset and your description of marmalade flowing to the sea tells me of the many beautiful shades of color you saw.
    I’ve never had Red Bull, but I’ll take your word for how it tastes and hope that you have no after effects.
    Take care you two!

  43. I love seeing the world through you eyes, Corey. Thank you for sharing it!

  44. Corey, if you guys stop in Milan on the way home, could you please snap a picture of the BeBop pizza for us? (You can tell it’s nearing dinnertime here — LOL!).
    Boa viagem!

  45. Corey, if you guys stop in Milan on the way home, could you please snap a picture of the Be Bop pizza for us? (You can tell it’s nearing dinnertime here — LOL!).
    That trolley reminds me of the old dark-green-and-cream electric trolleys that trundled up and down Market Street in San Francisco during my youth.
    Boa viagem!
    (First try at posting this didn’t take, so hope the 2nd time’s a charm)

  46. Wow Corey. I am so glad you took that camera along. What a feast for the eyes. As you probably would imagine, I can’t get enough of the sculptures so please snap away for me. You will make one sculptor very happy by doing so. Amazing stuff. Please don’t make us all perform a Red Bull intervention when you come to CA. next. ๐Ÿ™‚

  47. i am now needing a stopover in milan…have yet to go there. so happy you’re having a good trip (thus far)… many hugs and safe travel as you trek on.
    hugs and good wishes to you both.

  48. Next best thing to being there! Your writing is beautiful.

  49. Corey…I have always wanted to go to Milan..Thanks for sharing your road trio with us…Glad the Red Bull did the trick to…that stuff makes me hyper for a few days LOL
    Have a lovely time.

  50. Oh how wonderful to journey with you by way of this blog. Thank you for sharing it all with us!
    Lorrie

  51. Sally F.

    You are more fun than a barrel of monkeys! Loved your Italian Motorcyle Show – how do you manage to get up to so much – no wonder you nod off now and then!

  52. Lynn King

    Loved the “Roman Holiday” image. Maybe you could reference each city that way and we could follow you through the movie classics. Can’t be where you are but at least I’ll have popcorn, a glass of wine and a DVD for the evening to look forward to! Yann definately has that Gregory Peck debonaire thing going on and you are absolutely the darling pixie Audrey Hepburn!

  53. I have enjoyed my morning in Milan with my cup of tea, now to go do the laundry!

  54. Go Corey and FH, go!
    Stay safe!

  55. OH, Corey! You are so awesome to be doing all that hustle during the day and still updating your bloggy buddies. I think if gloriously I was to ever get to go to Milan I would still not see it with the unique flavor with which you have infused this entry. Wonderful. Thank you and FH!

  56. Ah, thanks for showing me Milan. And reminding me why i love my Bella Italia ๐Ÿ˜‰

  57. Michelle M in KY

    I prayed for blue, sunny skies for your trip & now it’s been raining here in KY ever since Sat. morning. Go figure. Loving ITALY…it’s on my Bucket List and after seeing your photos…it makes me dream even harder. Continued good weather and safe travels to you both.

  58. Thank YOU for being so generous with pics and words … I could see you in the formation ๐Ÿ˜‰ isn’t that amazing? Thank YOU again and again ๐Ÿ˜‰

  59. Oh no, I can’t believe you drank a RedBull…guaranteed heart palpitations ๐Ÿ™‚

  60. Wow day One has been fabulous can’t wait to hear about Day Two
    Alison

  61. Corey and French Husband,
    I am so thrilled that you took this trip and let us tag along! I felt a little weepy at seeing such stunning sights through your eyes that I might never see for real. Stay safe as you adventure forth!

  62. Ohhhh, M(il)an! What a terrific day you both had in that fashionable city. It’s so interesting to hear all the little must-sees and must-dos. If ever I go there, I’ll make sure to find the dinner trolley and spin on the bull testicles!

  63. allison

    Oh my! The bull has gotten so much more worn down since we were there in 2000! I am so glad you are posting about your trip. It is bringing back many memories.
    Safe travels,
    Allison

  64. Maybe the only chance we ever get to be so close (I live a little more than 100 km away from Milan) and I was so far away in Austria!

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