Summary

Erika Burkhalter shares her experiences celebrating the holiday season in Milan, Italy, highlighting the festive decorations, including the Dior and Swarovski Christmas trees, and the preparations for New Year's Eve.

Abstract

The article captures the festive atmosphere of Milan during the holiday season, as seen through the eyes of Erika Burkhalter. She describes the city's grand Christmas trees, particularly noting the elegance of the Dior tree with its candelabra-like arms and the massive Swarovski tree within a shopping pavilion. Burkhalter also enjoys the Christmas Mart at the foot of the Duomo Cathedral and marvels at the cathedral's illuminated beauty at night. In anticipation of New Year's Eve, she shares a personal moment of getting ready with friends and expresses excitement for the upcoming fireworks display over the Duomo. The piece concludes with a reflection on the joy of the holidays and an invitation to readers to subscribe to her stories or purchase her photos.

Opinions

Erika Burkhalter expresses admiration for the Dior Christmas tree, finding its design elegant against the twilight sky.
She appreciates the heartfelt message of inclusivity on the Christmas tree in the Duomo square, "We wish you to be you."
The Swarovski tree inside the shopping pavilion impresses her with its size and grandeur.
The Christmas Mart is described as bustling and lively, indicating her enjoyment of the festive shopping atmosphere.
She is captivated by the Duomo's nighttime illumination, suggesting a deep appreciation for the city's architectural beauty enhanced by holiday lights.
Burkhalter's excitement about the New Year's Eve preparations and the prospect of seeing the fireworks over the Duomo reflects her enthusiasm for celebratory traditions.
Her personal experience with a "hair and make-up day" with friends adds a warm, communal touch to her holiday narrative.
She encourages readers to support her work and the broader community of writers on Medium, highlighting her commitment to and appreciation for the platform and its contributors.

The “Dior Tree” in Milan. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

Travel

Happy Holidays from Milano

The Christmas Trees of Milan, the Duomo illuminated, New Year’s festivity preparations

We’re celebrating New Year’s this year in Milano, Italy, and the decorations and the buzz in the air are magical.

Everywhere you look, giant Christmas trees adorn the sidewalks. I loved the Dior one. Its arms of candelabras against the twilight sky seemed so elegant.

But I also really liked this one, in the square of the Duomo Cathedral. The message, “We wish you to be you,” was sweet.

“We wish you to be you.” Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

Inside the grand pavillion, lined with stores like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, was this massive Swarovski tree.

The Swarovski Tree. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

And the Christmas Mart, at the foot of the Duomo just buzzed with shoppers.

The Christmas Mart at the foot of the Duomo. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

At night, the Duomo is all lit up.

The Duomo, illuminated. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

We’re getting ready for New Year’s Eve now. We’re here with friends, and the girls wanted to do a “hair and make-up day.” Here I am after Marco and Manuel dolled me up. We’re getting ready to get dressed up for the evening now and I’m looking forward to seeing the fireworks over the Duomo at midnight.

Getting ready for New Year’s with Manuel and Marco. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday, wherever you may be this year!

Erika Burkhalter is a yogi, neurophilosopher, cat-mom, photographer, and lover of travel and nature, spreading her love and amazement for Mother Earth’s glories, one photo, poem or story at a time. (MS Neuropsychology, MA Yoga Studies).

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