I am a total cathedral aficionado. I go cuckoo over cathedrals, particularly those in Europe. I have seen many unbelievably gorgeous cathedrals (For example, the original Notre Dame in Paris, St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia, the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, The Cathedral at Ronchamp, France [Le Corbusier], and numerous others). You get the idea. In my younger years, I even climbed all 528 steps to the Golden Gallery in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and viewed the city outside from the roof. But there was one cathedral still on my bucket list - the famous Milan Duomo. I adore Gothic style architecture and the Duomo is a fabulous example of Gothic architecture, with its pointed spires and ornate details. Seeing photos of it were not enough. It was simply one of those things I had to see before I die.

So, quite simply I got to work after Covid restrictions were lifted and planned a summer trip around it. I decided to stay about a week in Milan, take a Northern Italy and Switzerland tour, meet my son in Zurich for more time in Switzerland, and then travel to Nuremberg, Germany with my son to meet my sister and her husband to take a Danube River cruise and fly home from Budapest.

I knew I wanted a private tour that included an elevator to the views from the roof. I found a Viator tour that did just that.

So, the morning after flying to Milan, my fabulous K34 Milano B & B host, Stefania, (see previous post) walked me to the subway station and helped me purchase a multi-day subway ticket and told me how to get around via the subway. Who does that, seriously?!? I was super appreciative! I found the correct platform and boarded the first train. I have been in some questionable subways in my life but was relieved to see the Milan subway was easy to use, clean, and efficient. I would eventually learn how to criss-cross all over Milan via the subway. It was awesome! Plus it was quite reasonable in price, I might add.

The subway stop I got off at had an exit stairs right in the huge public plaza in front of the Duomo. I remember I came up the stairs, turned around, and there was the beautiful Duomo standing larger-than-life, gracefully towering above the plaza with its white facade and ornamental design. My jaw dropped and I had to remind myself to move so others could get by. Que Bella!!! (How beautiful!)

I quickly snapped a few photos and went to meet my guide, Julia. I do need to add here that the plaza in front of the Duomo is huge and, of course, I chose the wrong side of the Duomo to wait for my guide, who was on the opposite side. After messaging for several minutes, she requested I send a photo. I’m a little embarrassed to say that this was the photo I sent. 🫣

😂😂😂 Not my finest photo or expression… I was a bit warm, slightly stressed because my tour start time had passed, and a bit confused. 🙄 But it did assist her in determining I was on the wrong side so we did indeed locate each other. I’m happy to report Julia was very kind, knowledgeable, and professional. She made me feel right at ease and told me and showed me so much I would never have learned walking through on my own. And, yes, I did not need to climb hundreds of stairs, stand in long lines, or figure out which direction to go. The Duomo was crowded and this tour saved me a bunch of time! Plus, I absolutely loved the rooftop terrace tour! The views were fabulous!

Later in week I returned to the Duomo to take more photos and admire the magnificence of the place. So here are some of the views from both visits! 100% worth the expense, the jet lag, the research time, and the effort of navigating in a new place in a different country. So totally worth it! 💯

https://www.duomomilano.it/en/