Postcard #3: Feathers, Festivals, & F1
Originally, I was supposed to head to Milan on Friday, the 23rd, but thanks to a surprise(-ish) train strike, I pivoted and took a morning train on Saturday instead (a very Italian experience, honestly).
I met up with my friend Tyler, who had flown out to spend the week with me in Florence and then gone ahead to Milan on Thursday. As soon as I arrived, we visited the iconic Duomo and wandered through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, aka the really fancy place with all the designer shops that I was afraid to even breathe in.
Tyler took me to a rooftop spot called The Dome, which had stunning views of the Duomo and possibly the best tiramisu I’ve ever had. We finished off the night with Glovo (Italian Doordash!) and got dinner delivered to the hotel like true modern travelers.
The next day, Sunday the 25th, we split up because Tyler wanted to explore the downtown skyscrapers, but I was in more of a "vintage Milan" mood. I headed to the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie to try and see The Last Supper, but there weren’t any openings left. Womp.
But, on the way to the Sforzesco Castle, I stumbled into a full-on spring street festival! Festa Alpina di Primavera, to be exact. I had absolutely no clue what it was for, but there were feathered hats, live music, food stalls, and lots of wine. I grabbed a spritz, a box of fresh cherries, fries, and a sandwich with salamelle and zucchini made by the nicest guys who looked like Milanese Mountaineers (???). I had no idea what I was eating or who they were but it was honestly one of the coolest experiences during my travels.
I sat in Sempione Park, watched dogs play in the dog park, and soaked it all in while I ate. Afterward, I wandered through the castle, which felt like half museum, half medieval carnival. And because I’m me, I ended the day watching the Monaco Grand Prix with Tyler at The Football Pub, with the Duomo just a few streets away. (Huge congrats to Lando Norris, living legend.)
I grabbed a Stonewell cider, took a taxi to the station, and now I’m back in Florence with a heart full of cherries, spritz, and so many weirdly perfect memories.
With love,
Kelsey 💌
