Accidentally in Italy

Milan... We hadn't planned on visiting Italy, but this is where we ended up in order to avoid Typhoon Mangkhut (or waiting another week to leave).

I've been to several places in Italy, but never Milan. It's not a destination that was on my list... But here we were!

We arrived in Milan at 7:30am after travelling for about 36 hours with 2 kids. Blurrrgh... Italian airports have to be among the worst I've seen for organisation and keeping queues moving. The queue stretched from the immigration counter right back to the gate. It took almost an hour of tired misery for us to even get through to the baggage collection carousels.

Despite being exhausted, we had decided that we would utilise public transport as much as possible, both for price and the glimpse of real life that it gives. So we jumped (or crawled) onto the Malpenza Express train and made our way to Milan Centrale Station. Very crowded and noisy, but gorgeous!

Milan Centrale Station

Then we had to find the Metro Station (Subway) at Centrale... easier said than done. Even less easy with many suitcases and a baby stroller, so we had to find the elevators everywhere we went.

Once on the Metro we stood the whole way and managed our luggage (and baby) for the half hour ride to the Lodi Tibb stop. Then a 15-minute walk on and off cobblestones to our apartment. And poor Master J has a dodgy wheel on his suitcase and it doesn't wheel easily, which frayed tempers a little more.

We finally got there around lunchtime. I have never been so happy to arrive somewhere! The staff must have thought we were mad because as soon as the door closed behind them we all let out a Whoop! and collapsed on the floor.

We needed to go out and get some groceries for dinner, so after an hour or two of rest we decided to go for a gentle stroll around the neighbourhood before heading home and locking out the world for the rest of the day. Despite a pretty mammoth 48 hours, the kids had done extremely well with only a few meltdowns. Picked up some gelatos  ('when in Italy...') and went for a wander. We were all super-tired so didn't stay out long. Then picked up some groceries and headed home for a much needed home-cooked meal of meat skewers, veal rolls, and stir-fried veggies.

Strolling around the neighbourhood

Then bed!!!