Grand design: Construction on Milan
Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo, Milan, started in 1386 and went on for
centuries, with finishing touches applied in 1965.
ITALY, known for its glory and
splendor, is on the bucket list of many people who want to wine, and dine and
marvel at the beautiful architecture and old ruins that grace the country. This
summer I took the opportunity to visit the country. Check out these recommended
places.
Milan
My first stop was Milan, the fashion
hub of Italy, which was breezeless and humid in June. The heat was piercing to
the skin, so an umbrella or a hat would be advisable to use. We took the hop on
hop off bus and got off at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a famous mall selling
all the latest Italian brands. This is a highlight in the city, as it has many
fine dining restaurants complemented by a McDonald’s inside a side mall.
The Galleria is a main stopover
because it also leads to Piazza Del Duomo, where rooftop restaurants have the
best views of the area and the prices are much lower than the restaurants
inside the mall. The Piazza is square in shape, and pharmacies, restaurants and
souvenir stores can be found there.
Inside the Piazza is the
breathtaking Milan Cathedral. The cathedral is 157 meters long and can
accommodate 40,0000 people. Inside the church is many separate altars with
beautifully crafted statues. One of the most famous ones is the copper statue
of Madonnanina.
Even the exterior of the cathedral
has many statues on it depicting the lives of Saints, Mary and the history of
Milan.
Another famous thing to see in this
city is the Last Supper painting of Leonardo da Vinci. Make sure you book your
tickets before arriving in Milan as the place is always fully booked.
Florence
Serenity: The Ponte Vecchio, an
arch bridge in Florence, Italy, stretches across the Arno River.
Upon reaching the city, one can
quickly discover how Florence differs from Milan. The city is calm, serene and
enchanting and is bursting with art and Renaissance culture.
Two days is enough for a quick tour
of the city, starting with the Palazzo degli Uffizi, a U-shaped gallery housing
the best Renaissance collection. Then there is Florence’s own version of the
Duomo, which is located in Piazza del Duomo and boasts a beautiful marble
façade that is pink, white and green. The Museo di San Marco boasts beautiful
paintings, so it is also worth a visit.
The cuisine offered by the city is a
must-try, giving a different flavor to Italian cuisine. Many restaurants line
the downtown area of the city and offer breathtaking views.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Iconic building: A horse-drawn
carriage awaits passengers in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
If you have already seen most of
Florence and want to visit a place nearby, your best option would be the
Leaning Tower of Pisa. Just an hour away by car from Florence, you can see one
of the most famous places in the world. Don’t forget to put on sunblock and
take along an umbrella if you are visiting during summer, as the area where the
leaning tower is located is a massive open space.
What’s amazing is as you enter you
will see that everything is sparkling white around the square enhanced by a
green garden. I recommend traveling at summer as there are not many tourists
during this season and it is thus easier to walk around the area and the queue
to go up the tower is shorter. There also carriages available that tour around
the area.
Rome
Look closer: The ceilings of St.
Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City feature what look like elaborate paintings,
but are actually highly detailed mosaics.
This city explodes with ruins in
every nook and corner, which has all been kept the way they are. An Asian city
with those kinds of ruins might be termed an underdeveloped place, but in Rome
it is art of historical significance. Although at first sight the city seems
overrated and overhyped, as days pass, one will comprehend the necessity of
maintaining the ruins as they are.
There are many tourist spots in
Rome, one of the most famous ones is the Colosseum. From afar it may seem like
a half cracked façade, but upon entering it one can feel the historic action
that took place centuries ago.
Another place to see is the smallest
city in the world, the Vatican. Covering 100 acres, the city is not part of
Italy but is independent. People who live here have different passports. A
hired guide is advisable upon visiting this place to ensure an easier entrance
to the city. Upon entering the city, you will be situated in St. Peter’s
Square, which is surrounded by a colonnade.
Before entering the church, you will
be shown paintings with explanations of their representations. Upon entering
the first floor of St. Peter’s Basilica, the floor is lined with different creatively
crafted white statues. There is only a one-track pathway inside the Basilica.
On the higher floors, one can enjoy
the paintings of Michelangelo on the ceilings and walls all depicting a
historical tale. At the end of the tour, the last stop is an altar, where
everyone had to maintain a pin-drop silence. A moment of prayer is offered by
everyone waiting at the altar.
The popular Trevi fountain should
not be missed when visiting Rome. It is very crowded so be prepared to watch
your belongings and squeeze your way for a photo.
Lake Como
Lake Como is a town surrounded by
sparkling blue calm water.
Only three hours from Milan by car,
Lake Como is a town surrounded by sparkling blue calm water. One can just sit
on the edge of the water sipping a hot Italian cappuccino only to be mesmerized
for hours by a lake encircled by everything.
There are many speedboats available
that can take tourists around the lake. Many villas surround the lake,
including Villa Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, Basila del San Fedele and
Santuario della Madonna del Soccorso.
Each villa offers its own unique and
spectacular view. Drop into one of the restaurants here to have fine Italian
dishes and indulge in the beautiful interiors of the hotels at Lake Como.[Sources:
The Jakarta Post, Friday, Octobe 27, 2017|By : Aruna Harjani]
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