2019 Italy Tour (Day 5) Florence to Milan


After 5 days on the road, the Sitiawan group was summoned by Ching Neng Bin for an evening fellowship gathering in his hotel room. We celebrated a happy and satisfying tour so far with two bottles of wine duly sponsored by Ching Neng Bin. We had good reflection on accommodation, food and sightseeing tour. Everybody enjoyed the evening fellowship in our pajamas.


6.30am morning call, 7.30am breakfast and 9am departure. Today we travel 366km to Milan visiting Sforza Castle, Duomo di Milano and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The rest of the day was shopping in Milan. In one relaxed walking tour we could see both Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) and Milan Cathedral (Duomo) and discovered some lesser-known gems of Milan City along with photo stops at key sights.

And after 5 days on the road, the Sitiawan group was summoned by Ching Neng Bin for an evening fellowship gathering in his hotel room. We celebrated a happy and satisfying tour so far with two bottles of wine duly sponsored by Ching Neng Bin. We had good reflection on accommodation, food and sightseeing tour. Everybody enjoyed the evening fellowship in their pajamas.

Toilet fee everywhere is EUR1
Milan weather: Cloudy 9'C-15'C
Dinner at Al Galileo, Via Galileo Galilei, 14, 20124 Milano
Accommodation at 4 star “Grand Hotel Del Parco, via Galeno 8, Stezzano


Breakfast at Art Hotel Museo: Pauline Toh, Joyce Tan, Dr Diong Ko Ing and VA Allan.


Breakfast at Art Hotel Museo: Ms Lau Pik Ying, Mr Chiew Pang Tee and Ms Chiew Lin Lin


Breakfast at Art Hotel Museo: Mr Lin Kang Liew and Ms Bong Shong Kian


Breakfast at Art Hotel Museo: Mr Chen Ching Oun, Dr Lee Teck Ming, Ms Lu Shue Yueher and Ms Tan Yoke Yin


Breakfast at Art Hotel Museo: Mr Wong Tai Meng and Ms Ho Har Mooi


Breakfast at Art Hotel Museo: Mr Ching Jin Yuan and Catherine Oon Siew Ngoh


Breakfast at Art Hotel Museo: Mr Ngo Kok Fei and Ms Chan Mei Leng


Breakfast at Art Hotel Museo: Dr Yasmin Binti Osman and Dr Nancy Vilmert


The highway country view on the road from Florence – Bologna motorway E35.


The highway country view on the road from Florence – Bologna motorway E35.


Our very cool bus driver from Poland.


There were many tunnels on highway E35 between Florence and Bologna.


There were many long tunnels on highway E35 between Florence and Bologna.


There were many long tunnels on highway E35 between Florence and Bologna.


There were many long tunnels on highway E35 between Florence and Bologna.


There were many long tunnels on highway E35 between Florence and Bologna.


We had toilet break and shopping at Bistrot Cantagallo Bologna of Autogrill Cantagallo Ovest along highway E35.


Bistrot Bologna Cantagallo - Food is fresh and quickly served. Price are fair. Good place to stop while moving between cities. Father & son: Ching Neng Bin and Caason Ching Jin Yuan


A bottle of Coca Cola is EUR2.80.


A can of beer is EUR1.15


A bottle of Rossi Red wine is EUR3.66


A bottle of Sangiovese Red wine is EUR3.66


A bottle of Lambrusco Red wine is also EUR3.66. So how not to buy wine for evening celebrations in the hotel.


Lunch break at Autogrill Somaglia Est. Highly recommended.


This is one of the first Autogrill restaurants on the Italian motorway that has been redesigned according to Eataly's style and choice of recipes.


Everything was freshly cooked and tasted good at EUR 5 to 5.60 a plate was reasonably priced.






Catherine taking Pizza Margherita for lunch at Autogrill Somaglia Est.


Ching Neng Bin and Catherine taking Pizza Margherita for lunch at Autogrill Somaglia Est.


Ms Tan Yoke Yin taking Italian sausage lunch at Autogrill Somaglia Est.


Mr Chen Ching Oun taking Italian sausage lunch at Autogrill Somaglia Est.


Everybody is happly with lunch.


The street in the City of Milan.


The street in the City of Milan.


The busy street in the City of Milan.


Porta Romana ("Roman Gate") is a former city gate of Milan. In its present form, the gate dates back to the 16th century Spanish walls of Milan


Parco Sempione or Sempione Park is a large city park in Milan, Italy. Established in 1888, it has an overall area of 38.6 hectares, and it is located in the historic centre of the city, inside the Zone 1 administrative division.


Parco Sempione or Sempione Park is a large city park in Milan, Italy.


Parco Sempione or Sempione Park is a large city park in Milan, Italy.


A walk to Sforza Castle, Milan.


Sforza Castle in Milan was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, on the remnants of a 14th-century fortification. It was one of the largest citadels in Europe.


One of the four Sforza Castle entrances which was once accessed through a drawbridge.


Sforza Castle - The external side which once faced the walled city has two round towers known as the Torre di Santi Spirito and the Torre del Carmine.


Sforza Castle has an efficient defensive wall.


Sforza Castle - The thirty-one meter (102ft) tall, round towers are known as the Torre di Santi Spirito and the Torre del Carmine.


Sforza Castle - The first construction was erected around 1368. It is square in shape with 4 towers at the corners that allowed an easy exit route out of the city, in case people should have escaped from enemies.


In 1943 the Sforza Castle was severely damaged after a bombardment, but renovation after World War II transformed it into the citadel of museums of Milan city.


The external side of Sforza Castle which once faced the walled city has two round towers known as the Torre di Santi Spirito and the Torre del Carmine.


Sforza Castle


Castello Sforzesco was originally a Visconti fortress and later home to the mighty Sforzas, the rulers of Milan, who transformed it into a magnificent ducal palace thought to have been decorated by several of the greatest artists of the times including Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci.


At the rear are two square towers at the other end, the Torre Castellana and Torre Falconiera.


Baroque statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in Castello Sforzesco, Sforza Castle, Milan


Milan head sculpture from gate of Sforza castle.


Milan head sculpture from gate of Sforza castle. 















Sforza Castle - Madonna and Child by Giovanni Bellini painter.


Castello Sforzesco is home to a number of museums, the Musei Civici. They are spread out over several floors around the Rocchetta and Ducal courtyard.


The first floor contains the furniture collection and the art gallery, funerary monument by Agostino Busti, Castello Sforzesco Funerary Monument, Agostino Busti with mostly Italian paintings including Andrea Mantegna's Trivulzio Madonna.


The first and second floor of the Rocchetta house the museum of musical instruments and the collection of applied arts.






Central tower or Torre del Filarete of Sforza Castle or Castello Sforzesco.


The central tower or Torre del Filarete of Sforza Castle or Castello Sforzesco, Milan.


Fontana di Piazza Castello at Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano.


L-R Squatting: Ching Neng Bin, Lin Kang Liew, Chan Mei Leng, Ngo Kok Fei, Lee Lin Sin, Hu Chee Yip, Chiew Lin Lin L-R Standing: Ching Jin Yuan, Catherine Oon, Ho Har Mooi, Wong Tai Meng, Dr Diong Ko Ing, Bong Shong Kian, Aloysius Allan, Pauline Toh, Dr Yasmin, Joyce Tan Chun Hong, Dr Nancy Vilmert, Lu Shue Yueher, Dr Lee Teck Ming, Tan Yoke Yin, Chen Ching Oun, Chiew Pang Tee, Lau Pik Ying
At Fontana di Piazza Castello at Piazza Castello, Milan, Italy


The fountain (constructed by AEM, the city electrical company, to mark the meeting between Mussolini and the veterans of Abyssinia) was much welcomed by the citizens, and especially by tourists, who could sit on the edge of the large basin to be photographed with the Torre del Filarete in the background.


Street singer beside Fontana di Piazza Castello, Milan.


The beginning of the long walk through Via Dante Milan with landmarks and full of historical buildings.


Monument dedicated to one of the key figures of Italian unification located in Largo Cairoli . A famous general and commander.




This is a nice pedestrian street in Milano connecting the Castello Sforzesco and the Piazza Cordusio. Lots of shops and restaurants with charming character and is best enjoyed when you're not in a rush.


Walking on Via Dante a pedestrian street in central Milan, Italy, connecting Piazzale Cordusio with Largo Cairoli.


Walking on Via Dante near to the city's Castello Sforzesco and is named after the Florentine poet Dante Alighieri. It is known for its theaters, shops, restaurants, cafés, palaces and bars.


Gutteridge on Via Dante is a clothing stores and is part of the many fashion and clothing stores in Milan .




Piazza Cordusio is a square in central Milan


Piazza Cordusio - Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali.


Piazza Cordusio is a square in central Milan


Piazza Cordusio is a square in central Milan


Piazza Cordusio is a square in central Milan, takes its name from the Cors Ducis which was found in the square during Longobard times. It is well known for its several turn-of-the-19th-century Neoclassical, eclectic and Art Nouveau buildings, banks and post offices.


Second most beautiful building at Cordusio square. The former Palazzo della Posta in Milan’s Piazza Cordusio was designed by Luigi Broggi and built in 1901, originally for the Milan stock exchange. Starbucks is now located here.


Duomo di Milano is the fifth largest Christian church in the world.


Duomo di Milano - Milan Cathedral is the cathedral church of Milan, Lombardy, Italy. Dedicated to St Mary of the Nativity, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan, currently Archbishop Mario Delpini. The cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete.


Duomo di Milano - Covering a surface of 109,641 square feet and an entire city block, its size is even more impressive considering it’s the oldest church on that list.


Duomo di Milano also has has the most statues. There are 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures that decorate Milan Duomo!


VA Allan and Pauline at Duomo di Milano.


Duomo di Milano


Duomo di Milano - The most spectacular view is through the innumerable marble spires and pinnacles that adorn the rooftop. Crowning it all is a gilded copper statue of the Madonnina (Little Madonna), the city's traditional protector.


Duomo di Milano - Its imposing white marble façade, soaring over 150 meters high, dominates the square, which is considered the heart of the city centre.


Duomo di Milano - Artwork on the door of the Cathedral.


Duomo di Milano - Artwork on the door of the Cathedral.


Duomo di Milano - Artwork on the door of the Cathedral.


Duomo di Milano the undisputed symbol of Milan, but it’s also the most important example of Gothic architecture in Italy.


Duomo di Milano - Statues on the facade.


Duomo di Milano - The panels on the doors depict episodes in the lives of the virgin Mary, Saint Ambrose (patron of Milan) and Saint Charles Borromeo as well as scenes from the history of Milan and the construction of the cathedral.


Duomo di Milano - Statues on the facade.


Duomo di Milano - Statues on the facade.


Duomo di Milano - Statues on the facade.


Duomo di Milano


Duomo di Milano


Duomo di Milano - Ching Jin Yuan and Catherine Oon (mother and son).


A street dance performance on Vittorio Emanuele II boulevard, a traffic-free zone buzzing with shoppers, buskers and oh-so-trendy locals.


A street dance performance on Vittorio Emanuele II boulevard, a traffic-free zone buzzing with shoppers, buskers and oh-so-trendy locals.


Musician on Vittorio Emanuele II boulevard, a traffic-free zone buzzing with shoppers, buskers and oh-so-trendy locals.


Milan is one of the fashion capitals of Europe. Stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the most popular shopping street in the city, for the widest selection of drop-dead gorgeous clothes, shoes and accessories (window shopping here is the stuff of dreams). Named after the great Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy, the boulevard is a traffic-free zone buzzing with shoppers, buskers and oh-so-trendy locals.


Stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the most popular shopping street in the city, for the widest selection of drop-dead gorgeous clothes, shoes and accessories (window shopping here is the stuff of dreams). Named after the great Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy, the boulevard is a traffic-free zone buzzing with shoppers, buskers and oh-so-trendy locals.






Stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the most popular shopping street in the city, for the widest selection of drop-dead gorgeous clothes, shoes and accessories (window shopping here is the stuff of dreams). Named after the great Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy, the boulevard is a traffic-free zone buzzing with shoppers, buskers and oh-so-trendy locals.


Caason Ching Jin Yuan bought a white jacket from a shop in Milan.




Stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the most popular shopping street in the city.


















Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - For sheer belle époque splendor, this extravagant 19th-century glass-topped, barrel-vaulted tunnel serves as a lively, noisy and colorful shopping mall, teeming with life and inviting you to people-watching from the tables that spill from the Galleria's many bars and restaurants.


Discovered the shops of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Via Torino in Milan. The elegant glass-roofed shopping arcade is home to some of the city's most fashionable stores and chic restaurants.


Discovered the shops of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Via Torino in Milan. The elegant glass-roofed shopping arcade is home to some of the city's most fashionable stores and chic restaurants.








Dr Lee Teck Ming and wife Lu Shue Yueh Er with daughter and grandson who came from Paris to meet up.






Italian 3 course dinner at Al Galileo, Via Galileo Galilei, 14, 20124 Milano


Italian 3 course dinner at Al Galileo, Via Galileo Galilei, 14, 20124 Milano


Italian dinner at Al Galileo, Via Galileo Galilei, 14, 20124 Milano




Accommodation at 4 star “Grand Hotel Del Parco, via Galeno 8, StezzanoAccommodation at 4 star “Grand Hotel Del Parco, via Galeno 8, Stezzano


Accommodation at 4 star “Grand Hotel Del Parco, via Galeno 8, Stezzano


Accommodation at 4 star “Grand Hotel Del Parco, via Galeno 8, Stezzano


Accommodation at 4 star “Grand Hotel Del Parco, via Galeno 8, Stezzano


Accommodation at 4 star “Grand Hotel Del Parco, via Galeno 8, Stezzano


Accommodation at 4 star “Grand Hotel Del Parco, via Galeno 8, Stezzano


Accommodation at 4 star “Grand Hotel Del Parco, via Galeno 8, Stezzano


Ching Neng Bin bought 3 bottles of Lambrusco red wine for EUR11 for fellowship gathering.


And after 5 days on the road, the Sitiawan group was summoned by Ching Neng Bin for an evening fellowship gathering in his hotel room. We celebrated a happy and satisfying tour so far with two bottles of wine duly sponsored by Ching Neng Bin. We had good reflection on accommodation, food and sightseeing in our tour. Everybody enjoyed the evening fellowship in their pajamas, cheers!

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