Milano Day 1

Wednesday 24th June 2026

The day started according to plan. Boarding the convenient tram to the Duomo we were heading off for a 10am tour. However after 50 metres the tram turned a corner, which is surprising for a tram and alarming, because we were then heading in the wrong direction.  After a couple of stops we got off near an underground Metro and watched our tram disappear, clearly labelled with the destination we had expected. Confusion with connections will be the hallmark of our Milano visit. After “on-line” research we discovered that the tram line was being rebuilt and the trams were diverted but they kept the same signage. No wonder we got screwed up.

The major attraction of Milano would have to be the Duomo.  It is the largest gothic cathedral in the world by floor area. Last time we stood in front of this cathedral it was draped in red, the preparation for the visit by Pope John Paul II. No papal visits today, but we did get to do something that we couldn’t do in1983, and that was climb to the rooftop (well we actually took the lift). We spent a couple of hours exploring before walking down 260 steps through narrow, winding stairwells into the cathedral.