Designer Shopping with a View in Milan

I’m not one to buy fancy designer items typically. I like sales and good deals, and I almost never pay full price. But even I was excited to see this all-designer shopping mall in Milan, just for the views! The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy’s oldest shopping gallery, dating back to the 1870’s, and a must-see for fans of impressive architecture.

While most of the stores are designer brands, you’ll still have plenty to see even without spending an arm and a leg. It’s free to enter the mall, and the atmosphere alone is worth the visit. The buildings are ornately decorated, and the iron and glass vaulted ceilings are a masterpiece.

If you are fortunate enough to have the resources to shop here, you’ll see big name brands like Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, and many others. Or, you can also window shop and just explore.

I definitely recommend checking out this gallery. It’s a beautiful site to look around. It’s right next to the Milan Cathedral, so you can see both in the same day, which is what I did. It’s all in the same plaza area. So check it out next time you’re in Milan!

The Milan Cathedral

One of the first stops on our trip was the Duomo di Milano, the Milan Cathedral. This cathedral’s construction was started in 1386 and didn’t finish until 600 years later in 1965. It is an incredible work of art, and even for non-religious visitors, it’s a must see just for the history and design.

We arrived early morning when it was sunny and warm, and the sun shined through the colorful stained glass windows. There were many intricate carvings and statues. The entire cathedral was filled with tourists all marveling at the intricate design.

The cathedral is supported by giant columns holding up an ornately carved ceiling. Some parts of the ceiling appear older and rustic, while others are covered in carved design. The floors are even beautifully colored with different marble shades creating a pattern throughout the cathedral.

I’ve also never realized how many colors there are to marble. We saw so many incredible statue displays all carved from marble with different saints and figures. Each of them mixed marble colors and gold to form the perfect display, and each told their own story.

One impressive view was the organ. This was a floor to ceiling masterpiece. There’s an area that can be entered, but it was sealed off to tourists.

The morning light was absolutely perfect for the stained glass. The colors were bright and vibrant as they flooded the halls of the cathedral through these massive windows. The level of detail in these windows was impressive. There were tons of little panels, and each panel was a different image with tons of color.

There are few things to keep in mind. There is a dress code to enter. For women, you cannot wear anything that shows your shoulders. You also cannot wear dresses or shorts showing the knees. If you don’t fit the dress code, you’ll need to purchase a white cover to wear over your clothes for modesty purposes. I did not fit the dress code, so you’ll notice me modeling this lovely fashion in the photo of the organ above. It does appear that different guards enforce the rules differently, however, as after the guard change, we noticed no one else was being asked to cover up.

Despite the wardrobe requirements, this was definitely worth the visit. If you’re a fan of art or architecture, check it out on your next visit to Milan!

American Airlines First and Business Class

Finally! I’m fully vaccinated, so I can travel again! Of course, while still wearing a mask. So, I’m off to explore the world. First stop? Italy!

I used a travel hack to get a free first class/business class ticket to Milan. I signed for the American Airlines Advantage Barclays Aviator Red Card which gives you 60,000 points if you make a purchase and pay the $100 fee within the first 90 days. The first class ticket was 59,500 points, so that is a first class ticket one way for the price of a pack of gum and $100 annual card fee. Of course, you still pay for the taxes for the flight, which came to $51. Still, a no-brainer.

My first flight was a standard tiny plane from my home town. Nothing fancy really. However, the service was excellent. Since I was technically first class, I got priority boarding, a drink (rare during Covid times in the main cabin), and even a snack which only first class received. My second flight was the same, pretty standard. The third flight had a bit more leg room and a better seat design. Again, complimentary drinks, including alcohol if you like. I just had water…. It was 10:00 am, and I had to figure out an airport change at my next stop.

Which yes, leads me to my next stop. The airport change! I changed from La Guardia airport to JFK. And then came the REAL fun. Because I was flying business class out of JFK, I got access to the admirals lounge for free! Here I got to eat tons of great food including a create your own Mac and cheese bar and a custom guacamole station, as well as other healthy snacks like hummus, veggies, fruit, and salads.

Finally, my last leg was American Airlines flagship business class to Milan. These seats are amazing little mini suites with lie-flat beds. You press a button and can recline the chair all the way into a bed. They even provide a comforter and pillow for your bed. I could watch TV While in bed, in my own little pod. It also came with all the first class food perks! I had a vegetarian ragu with some delicious sides of chicken and hummus, fruit, and mini chocolate cheesecake. This was by far the best flight I’ve ever experienced.

Finally, I arrived! Where did I explore first? You’ll have to check out my next post to find out! Stay tuned!