Day 244 Sat 16 Jun 2007, Milan, Lombardy

A heavy day of sightseeing, starting with a tram ride to the city centre and a tour of the C16 Castle Sfrozza which has an interesting collection of sculpture and armour very well displayed, with a room decorated by Leonardo de Vinci and an unfinished piece by Michelangelo. There’s also a fascinating display of furniture through the ages.

Then it’s off for a look around the shops starting with the Galleria Vittore Emmanuel with its soaring glass and metal roof and mosaics, followed by a visit to the fashion quadrilateral where all the famous and not so famous boutiques can be found, that is if you can get through the wall to wall Ferraris and Bentleys.
In need of some spiritual refreshment after the excesses of materialism, a visit to the Duomo is called for. Its fantastically elaborate gothic facade has been newly cleaned in a process lasting several years, with its spires gleaming in the western sun. Inside it has some magnificent stained glass windows.

After recovering back at the hotel we return to the centre in search of dinner which we find in a lovely brasserie/pizzeria with delicious octopus and seafood.