Italy Chapter 1: The Grand Architecture and Style of Milan

The breathtaking, intricate Gothic spires of the Duomo di Milano.

"Straight after my time in Paris, I caught a flight to Milan for a quick two-night stay. The immediate feeling I got from the city was majestic, grand, and elite—yet entirely humble in its own way. While it felt like a relatively small, accessible location compared to other massive capitals, it packed a remarkably big personality into every street and square."

Standing before Michelangelo’s final, unfinished masterpiece: the Rondanini Pietà inside Sforza Castle.

"Standing up close and personal in front of a masterpiece touched by a true genius gives you an overwhelming feeling of awe and amazement. It makes you feel incredibly small—not in a bad way, but in a deeply humbling one. Words are hard to find for an experience like this. Michelangelo was a uniquely talented genius, and standing right there in front of his final work was completely breathtaking."

Admiring the masterful detail of classical Italian sculptures.

"Milan is an absolute paradise for any art lover. It is a city where legendary artists like Leonardo da Vinci resided and produced some of their most iconic work. Walking through the galleries and historic sites, you are constantly surrounded by masterful classical sculptures and Renaissance masterpieces. The sheer depth of culture and history preserved here is completely awe-inspiring."

The spectacular vaulted glass ceilings of the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

"Milan is world-renowned as a global fashion capital, and gearing up to walk into a beautifully designed architectural masterpiece like the Galleria felt slightly intimidating at first, but also deeply inviting. I wasn't made to feel out of place or uncomfortable in the slightest. I definitely don't mind a bit of fashion myself, and it was incredible to experience the style and grandeur of this iconic space firsthand."