Europe Winter Trip (Part 4 - Milan, Florence, Pisa)

Day 9

So early in the morning we took the RER (B line) train to Charles de Gaulle airport and from there we took Easyjet to Milan. On our way there we could see the Alps... really nice. Sadly can see that the snow/ice is kinda like retreating.

Anyway, from Milan Malpensa airport we had to take a bus to the central station. I didn't plan much for Milan coz people say there's nothing much to do (shopping costs a bomb too), and it was mostly a city to visit "along-the-way". So we made our way to the Duomo, where there were lots of people trying to tie colorful rings to your wrist (then, unable to remove them, asks you to pay for it), lots of people selling birdseed, and therefore also lots of birds (kinda like in Barcelona).

The Duomo in Milan

Pigeons!

Our major stop here was Luini's, where they sell Panzerotti, which is like a small folded pizza that is fried. I really liked it! We couldn't find a reasonably priced restaurant to eat lunch so we went back afterwards to grab 2 more each. We then just walked around Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and headed back to Milano Centrale to take a train to Firenze (Florence).

The glass ceiling of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele... beats Bugis Junction's one by far.

Our hostel was rather near the station. It was actually situated in an apartment block. After resting awhile, using the computer (finally some free internet) etc., we went out. First we bought our tickets for Pisa - Rome and also Florence - Pisa.

Passed by the Duomo on our way to Piazza del Mercato Centrale, where the restaurant suggested by the lady at the hostel is located. Turns out to be a tourist place so we followed instead on Arvin's printouts that suggested places near Piazza Santa Croce instead. Eventually had dinner at Ristorante La Maremma. It was apparently a restaurant with good reviews. The food was good, but sad to say the service was appalling: our waiter wasn't friendly, didn't sound helpful and had a serious face. Why so? I have no idea. Because we're Asian? Because we don't look rich? Anyway it kinda spoiled my appetite (which was already a little spoiled by the price).

The starter dish we got Pecorini cheese (a type of matured sheep cheese, a specialty in the Tuscany region) with honey and olive oil.

For the main course I had pasta with game meat.

For dessert we had Tiramisu.

Then we went back to sleep.

Day 10

We woke up, bathed, checked out but left our luggage at the hostel first. Then we went around town. Florence doesn't seem particularly big (at least the old part/tourist part isn't), and it feels like a small town. We went by Galleria dell Accademia (David the marble sculpture is inside, we didn't go in though), the Duomo again, and then on to Piazza della Signoria and Galleria degli Uffizi (one of the world's most famous fine arts museum, we didn't go in...couldn't even if we wanted to, because the queue was so long).

Typical tourist at the Duomo

Next we were already by the river Arno. There's a famous bridge here called Ponte Vecchio and we crossed it. Basically what's so interesting is that there are shops along the bridge, and it wasn't destroyed in WWII. We then reached Piazza del Pitti, where a palace (Pallazzo Pitti) with a plain facade was located. The garden inside (have to pay to get in) is reputed to be beautiful but I suppose I'll come in summer next time (in 10 - 20 years??) to see it. Then we returned to the hostel and made our way to the station.

View of the bridge

View from the bridge

We got some food along the way back at a shop right near Piazza del Pitti near the bridge. I had Foccacia Caprese (contains tomatoes, Mozarella cheese and olives. Simple but delicious!).

Arrived at Pisa in time; was worried that the sun was going to set soon. Left our stuff at the station and bought a map. Didn't really need the map as there were signs everywhere showing the direction to the plaza where the leaning tower was located. Anyway, we crossed the bridge and then this lady approached us and said: are you Chinese? no? Singaporean? or something like that and asked us to "write our name" to support an anti-drug campaign. What we didn't know was we were supposed to donate some money @.@ Haiz. Well I was kinda pissed after that... sorry Bernard!

The good thing was we saw a Deutsche Bank here and we managed to get money using our Germany cards. Phew! No need to worry about having not enough money for Italy... Anyway we then moved on to Piazza del Duomo where the leaning tower is located. We arrived at a nice time I suppose, the place was basked in a almost-dusk light. So I did the conventional pose (keeping the tower upright):

As well as an unconventional one (toppling the tower):

At dusk. Thought it would looked nice with a nearby statue. Too bad I don't have good photography skills or a good camera though =P

We then headed back, looking for a dinner place along the way. There was this restaurant that serves really cheap pasta and a favorite amongst University of Pisa students, but it was closed til early 2008 =( So nevermind, we sidetracked a bit and found this small restaurant at Via Benedetto Croce. I asked the waiter to recommend a pizza and he pointed the one which had the same name as the restaurant. I really liked it! After that along Viale Gramsci we went to a Gelato store. The ice cream was much cheaper than I saw elsewhere, and was not bad too.

So we then took the long train from Pisa to Rome. Upon reaching Rome we then had to rush to our hostel which was located at the outskirts. It was called Camping Fabulous. It was rather nice (Bernard kept emphasizing this point. Must've said it at least 10 times). It's a place that the HHH (Hash House Harriers) back in Batu Pahat, and also my dad, would choose for their family day outings/runs. Was too tired so we just slept.

Cabins equipped with a bathroom + toilet, refrigerator and air-conditioner.

The interior of the cabin

Other points:

In Florence we saw something similar to the Pasar Malams (night market) we have back in Malaysia, except that it lasts from morning til evening. In Naples the "Pasar Malams" were almost exactly the same as in Malaysia!

I also saw interesting lampposts in Florence: