Summary

Erika Burkhalter shares her experiences traveling to Milan, Italy, during the Christmas season, highlighting the Duomo Cathedral, the Christmas Mart, local fashion, and culinary delights.

Abstract

Despite travel challenges such as flight cancellations and lost luggage, Erika Burkhalter and her friends successfully arrive in Milan, Italy. They begin their visit with a jet-lag recovery nap, followed by an exploration of the city's landmarks, including the Duomo Cathedral and the vibrant Christmas Mart. Erika is captivated by the city's festive decorations, fashion scene, and the Gucci building's twilight glow. She indulges in local pasta, specifically praising the divine spinach ravioli, and enjoys a negroni at the Mandarin Oriental. The group plans to continue their European adventure with a trip to Romania. Erika's narrative is interwoven with her own photography, capturing the essence of Milan during the holiday season.

Opinions

Erika expresses a fondness for the architectural beauty of the Duomo Cathedral, describing it as "awe-inspiring."
She is delighted by the Christmas Mart, purchasing ornaments to commemorate her trip.
Erika is enchanted by Milan's fashion scene, noting the contrast between her usual preference for practical attire and the city's emphasis on high fashion.
She is impressed by the city's lively atmosphere and festive lighting.
Erika finds the sculptural elements adorning Milan's buildings to be a notable aspect of the city's architecture.
She is particularly taken with the pasta in Milan, describing the spinach ravioli as "divine."
Erika recommends the Mandarin Oriental's negroni, highlighting the unique touch of a stamped ice cube.
She expresses excitement about the upcoming journey to Romania, suggesting an anticipation for an authentic experience.
Erika encourages readers to support Medium writers by subscribing to her stories or joining Medium, indicating a commitment to sustaining the creative community.
She is open to inquiries about purchasing her photographs, indicating pride and confidence in her work as a photographer.

The Duomo Cathedral. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

Travel

We Made it to Milan

The Christmas Mart, the Duomo Cathedral, divine ravioli, the DaVinchi Museum, and Negronis at the Mandarin Oriental

With so many flights being cancelled in the last week or so, and after our friends, who arrived in Milan, Italy a few days ahead of us lost their luggage, we were sure to pack a change of clothes in our carry-ons and bought air tags to be able to track our suitcases. Fortunately, all of our bags did show up, although our other set of friends also had their bags left in Denver for a day.

The first order of business was a jet-lag-recovery nap, then we decided to venture out for our first glimpse of Milano.

The first stop was the Duomo Cathedral, which is just a short walk from our hotel. Although we haven’t done the tour of the inside yet, it was pretty awe-inspiring to see the architecture from the outside.

We had heard about the Christmas Mart, but didn’t know if it would still be going on. We were excited to see that it was still going in full force.

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

The Christmas Mart. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

I couldn’t resist buying a few little ornaments for next year’s tree to remind of our trip to Italy and Romania.

My ornaments for next year’s tree. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

Everywhere we looked, the city was lit up and exploding with life.

One of the Christmas trees near the Duomo.

Milan is a city of fashion and, while I am more of a “Sorel” sort of girl most of the time, I have to admit that it is fun to be surrounded by people dressed to the nines. The Gucci building, lit up at twilight, is a beautiful landmark.

The Gucci building. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

We wandered the streets, admiring the architecture. It seems like everywhere you look, there are sculptural elements adorning the buildings.

I loved his face. He looks so wise. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter.

Wandering the Streets. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter.

After a few hours, the lure of bedtime was calling. We haven’t been to Europe since 2019 and the jet lag was worse than I remembered. Now that we’re a couple of days in, we’re feeling pretty good again. But, that first night, a negroni (my new favorite drink) at the bar of the Mandarin Oriental before a late dinner was really exquisite. Don’t you love the stamp on the top of the ice cube?

A negroni at the Mandarin Oriental. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

If there is one thing I love the most about Italy, it might be the pasta! This spinach ravioli was divine

We’re so excited to explore Milan. And on the 4th, we are headed to Romania with some Romanian friends for an “inside-view” of the country.

I hope you are all having lovely holidays.

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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