Well, it took me over three years but I did it…
It was an almost spur-of-the-moment decision to buy round-trip tickets to Milan and spend Valentine’s Day moping about in Italy. At first we were going to stay in Milan the entire time but the plan eventually evolved into a completely different creature — as plans do — involving Bergamo, a match at Camp Nou, and the most roundabout way of returning to Malpensa via Basel, Chur, Varenna, and Como.
I’m hoping to write about it all eventually but as I only managed two-fifths of our family trip last year, I don’t know how realistic that aspiration is. So just some random bits:
- The endless photography in front of the Duomo in Milan is soul-sucking.
* - Bergamo is 50 minutes but a world away from Milan — it’s heretofore relatively undiscovered by the Insta-crowd. At least there hasn’t been enough of us tourists yet to make the locals hate us.
* - If you go to Bergamo, stay at least a night. We stayed at the Bed & Breakfast Sant’Erasmo and it just might be the most beautiful B&B I’ve ever stayed in, with the kindest hosts.
* - I gained a much deeper appreciation for rank-and-file football players after watching a match at Camp Nou. The crowd’s meh response to the introduction of Inaki Pena (playing unused backup to Ter Stegen while Cillessen was injured) and the boos at the introduction of the Valladolid players (I mean why, they’re just doing their jobs, I would understand if it was, like, Real Madrid) would make you feel bad for them too. I mean, the lowest paid among them still earn soooo much more than I do, playing a sport they love, so their lives could be worse, obviously, but, yeah, I still kinda feel sorry for them.
* - If I had the opportunity and more time, I would stay at Chur (or thereabouts) longer and explore the area. The Rhaetian Railway that runs the Bernina Express actually has a bunch of other routes served by the same red trains with panoramic windows being used for the BEx.
* - Chur is not pronounced [chur]. 😀
* - The Bernina Express has an extended stop at Alp Grum — a great opportunity to stretch your legs, take in the views of the Palu Glacier and the Val Poschiavo, and traipse in the snow (a delight for a tropical island girl like me).
* - If I had to go back to Lake Como, I would still visit during the off-season. Maybe just shop for supplies before staying a spell in Varenna but even the reduced dining options was worth the chance to enjoy the lake in near solitude.
* - Things you’ll never regret indulging in: gelato, polenta e osei, gelato, croissants, gelato. And I didn’t find any on this trip but also: millefoglie.
*
Anyway, some more Bernina Express:
Talk to you all in another few months. ^_^ But hopefully sooner.
Fantastic! I’ve missed your posts Gaya!
Hi Boots! Thank you! I haven’t been able to spend as much time here on the blog as I want to. I’ve yet to catch up on reading your blog too, but I hope all is well with you. Hugs from Pinas! xo
Hi Gaya, hope you are doing well! It hasn’t been easy for me lately. Bad news all over again. But such is life.
I hope the past month has been kinder to you. 🙁 Are you okay now? If you need to reach out a total stranger (that’s sometimes easier than talking to our family or friends because it feels like we’re burdening them somehow) please know you can always email me. I promise I can respond to that faster than to comments here in the blog. 🙂
Once again fabulous photos. And yeah, gelato!
Alison
My comment disappeared! I think. Anyway – once again great photos. And yeah, gelato!
Alison
Hi Alison! Sorry for the super late reply, I just kind of dashed in and out of WordPress real quick when I did my last post. Comments go through moderation, which is why probably why your first one “disappeared” — I just hadn’t had the chance to approve and reply. And I’ve yet to catch up on everyone else’s posts too, but I hope you and Don were doing great. So wonderful to hear from you, thank you! xo
This might have been a spur of the moment decision, but I’m pretty sure it was worth it. There’s something about taking the long way home that makes you appreciate the beautiful places you see as twice as beautiful.
That is so true! You just have a greater opportunity to truly engage in the experience and I guess that’s what makes it more beautiful. (And apologies for the very delayed reply!) xo
Love the embeded video (/gif?)! I really enjoy scenic train routes as well, you should try the steep train route to Jungfraujoch in Switzerland–it approaches a 90 degree angle against a backdrop of the swiss alps, and scenic cottages. Hope you can do a detailed post on Bergamo, would love to hear about it! I’ve only seen Milan and Rome so far. I feel that italians are relatively laid back, compared to other European nationalities.
Your comment was got me to put this together: https://smalltowngirlsmidnighttrains.com/2019/07/08/bergamo/ 🙂
I will try to do the Jungfraujoch next time! (fingers crossed)
Italians are relatively laid back, I suppose, which is probably why they’re not very good at queuing! (Lol, pet peeve.) Still love them and the country though.