Last Updated on January 15, 2025 by myriamoblogger
My trip to Italy was a revelation. I travelled to Milan with an idea of how it could be, but I was met with surprises. Before I travelled, the city was synonymous with modernity; however, once there, I noticed that it is actually the perfect blend of old and new.
I travelled with my friends, and we started our Italy trip in Milan and stayed at the 4-star Klima Hotel. My room was a good size, but unfortunately the bed linen were not up to my standards. Additionally, the hotel was quite remote from the city centre.
As I walked around Milan, what first struck me were these yellow, quirky, and extremely stylish trams. I knew I wanted to get in one of those. The best thing is there’s no need to purchase separate tickets if you have a contactless bank card. At first, my friends and I were slightly confused on which directions to go, but people were kind enough to direct us.
Once we got to the fashion districts, we entered a luxurious store and were met with good customer service. We even received a personalised e-guide from the salesperson that included information on where to go and what to do, along with his number in case we needed anything else. So far, Italy’s so good! I thought. Whilst strolling around, it felt appropriate to visit the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. And as expected, it was filled with many tourists and branded stores.
Not long after, we headed to the gorgeous cathedral, Duomo di Milano. To be honest, I’m the type of traveller who values local experiences over tourists spots, but frankly there is something thrilling about being at a well-known place.
Another thing I like when I travel besides experiences is food. Oh, I’m an unashamed foodie. I was super excited to try authentic Italian food, mostly pasta dishes and pizzas. Overall, I liked the pasta dishes, but I was disappointed with the pizzas. I don’t eat meat, so often times I found my options were limited.
One of the top recommended restaurants on TikTok was The Dome Milano. The restaurant was absolutely gorgeous, and the interior was beautiful, but my meal was just average. I ordered Mezze Maniche with Scampi which is basically pasta with scampi and tomatoes. However, not to deter anyone from going, one of my friends ordered something that looked more appetizing than mine and her portion was quite big.
For authentic cuisine, I think it’s better to go beyond tourist hotspots. As a person avoiding meat, finding pescetarian or vegetarian options in central Milan was challenging. If you’re a foodie like me, also note that some restaurants charge extra taxes and seating fees, so avoiding these can help you save money.
In terms of transportation, ordering an Uber from the city centre was arduous. At one point, I thought we were playing hide and seek with the drivers, as they could never find us and vice versa. For this reason, we were compelled to take the cabs that were available right there and then. Financially speaking, I don’t think that’s the best option because cab drivers tend to inflate prices for tourists. To avoid scams, make sure you agree on a price before getting in, and try to compare prices with an Uber to get the best deal.
Italy Cruises, Quick stop to Switzerland and Being a Black Tourist
Whilst in Italy, we also got on a cruise to Lake Como. I’m happy we did because after two days in Milan, we felt like we’d already explored everything. Minor changes were made the day before our cruise, and we were informed that we would also be stopping in Lugano, Switzerland. Yes, Lake Como is quite close to the Swiss border.
Now I get why people do cruises. I understand it. It was so relaxing, and the views were stunning. Nothing better than enjoying beautiful views with nothing else to do. I get why Lake Como is popular; it is a stunning place.
We also had a guided tour of Bellagio, located in the Como province. That small town is so colourful and super adorable. Parts of it reminded me of France, especially the little alleys.
Then we arrived in Switzerland. It’s so funny because I had no idea I would be entering Switzerland after arriving in Italy. Well, once we reached our stop, I received a text from my phone network that said, ‘Welcome to Switzerland,’ haha. We stayed there for only 1.5 hours or so as the guides let us explore. Lugano felt like a holiday resort; the streets were so dreamy, and the people seemed laid-back. I loved it.
Now, let’s discuss the curious stares. As as Black woman, raised in France, with people of all ethnicities, I know that being European (or French) is not a matter of skin tone. If you’re born or raised in France, with a French passport, you’re French. Because of that, ethnic minorities are not automatically seen as foreigners. I expected the same in Italy, but I was wrong. I know a lot of Black people live in Italy so I assumed Italians would simply view me as another Afro-Italian, I wasn’t expecting any special attention.
However, both in Mian and Lugano, my Black friends and I felt like ‘celebrities’ Some, though not all, were looking at us curiously. Not in a rude way but with curious eyes that meant, “Oh, hey, that’s different!”. Maybe they were not used to seeing Black people or Black tourists.
On the last day of our trip, however, still in Milan, something happened that I didn’t fully appreciate. A group of chatty young men walking behind us referred to us as ‘chocolate’. I calmly called him out on it since it felt objectifying. I’m not sure he understood my English, but I tried to tell him that referring to girls as ‘chocolate’ (or food for that matter) is not the best thing, but I’m not sure he understood my English. At least I tried to educate him.
Apart from that, I liked Italy. My overall experience with Italians was generally positive. And I’ve got to say, Italian guys (minus that group of chatty young men, lol) are very handsome. The city is also charming. The terraces and the food culture are similar to France.
In conclusion, if you’re going to Milan, a weekend should be enough to explore everything. Get the money ready and enjoy the city vibe. But even more importantly, if you want to see more pictures of Italy, check out my gallery 🙂
Have you been to Milan before? How was your experience?
Any questions, ask them below!
Ciao!
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