Pack-o Bag-o and Visti-o Milano

Note: Short recording of a woman playing the harp. Keep on loop as you read for best results.

Zurich ~> Zug ~> Art Goldau ~> Erstfeld ~> Goschenen ~> Airdo ~> Rodi Fiesco ~> Biasca ~> Castione Arbeto ~> Bellinzona ~> Rivera Bironico ~> Lugano ~> Chiaso ~> Como.

We had read it to be one of the most scenic train rides. Now I can say, I’ve seen it to be one of the most scenic train rides.

Our eyes feasted on the mountains rolling out pristine blue carpets. They were inviting us to strip down, jump off the train and embrace the blue side. Each time our eyes were closed by the darkness of a tunnel, they opened to artistic works of nature. Words can’t describe the blend of clear shades of green, blue and white mountain tops.  

As we entered Italy and stopped at Como, the ‘adventurers’ in us took over. Milan could wait. We wanted to check out Ms Como of Europe, because we could. Of course we had a friend waiting for us in Milan and we would have to traverse Ms. Como quickly.

 Nothing much happened between us. We couldn’t explore every inch of her and yet as you can see in the photo below, we got a pretty good view. 

About 15 minutes walk from the station, a funicular (Polybahn) took us to Como’s peak and showed us what we were about to take a train ride away from. But for one experience to be gained, another needs to be lost. That pseudo-comforting line took us from Como to Milan.


We reached quite late and with some difficulty made it to our friend’s place.

In the darkness of the night, my first Italian pizza was at Ceppo Folle (pronounced Cheppo Fo ley). To my ‘burnt with spices’ Indian taste buds, it lacked a little spice. It was also thicker than any other pizza I ate across Italy. The guys behind it..

The next morning, unfortunately I woke up with a cold, a sore throat and a freakin’ fever. Of all the possible days, it had to be my first morning in Milan. But I wasn’t going to be confined to a bed. There were sights to be seen, food to be tasted and the mental note of having seen Milan to be made.

We made our way to Piazza del Duomo.

As you walk towards it, your eyes begin to believe in the existence of God. It’s hard to imagine man would build such a grand structure for something he didn’t believe in. But that debate is for another day. 

With the backdrop of clear blue skies as I looked up at the Il Duomo, I could understand my brother’s choice of profession; architecture. 

The inside is as grand as the view from the top; breathtaking. 

To the left of the Duomo is the Galleria VittorioEmanuele II, one of the world’s oldest shopping malls. As if the Duomo wasn’t enough, the mall accentuates the grandeur of the Piazza. Lined with painters, musicians and all sorts of street artistes, the Piazza del Duomo is a great place to spend a day. 

The night, we spent eating at Nevigli. The Italians have a system called ‘aperitivo.’ Finger foods, pizzas, pastas etc. are laid out in an all you can eat 7-10 euros buffet. The cost includes one drink and a delightful seat next to a canal. Pubs and restaurants on both sides of the waterway serenade you, as do musicians. For the ambience, Navigli is a must visit.   

Milan was alright. We ate, drank, had fun...but it was time to hit some beaches. Our next stop had not one, not two, not three, but 5. A couple were sandy beaches, couple were rocky and one was just a place where you could jump into the water. 

Our next stop : Cinque Terre