Milan

Welcome to one of the longest days of my life. 

This is the day Mrs. SFO has been looking forward to for months. Also, the day I have dreaded for months. Bad news for me when she has a map, a plan and has just come off a good night's sleep.

And we're off...

I dodged a bullet at Loro Piana.

But not much else.

Interesting people watching the entire day.

And lots of beautiful women.

Including a one hour lunch stop, this was one exhausting 8 hour day. The spoils of the day...

After a drink in the Principe Bar and a stop in our room, we headed out for dinner at a great nearby neighborhood restaurant, Antica Osteria Cavallini . Mostly locals dining here is a good sign.

OMG. Here we go again for round 2.

Back to Sergio Rossi to try these on again.

And finally over to the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an amazing 150 year old glass topped belle époque shopping center.

After more than an hour doing damage to another credit card at one of the most sensible priced non-designer stores, Luisa Spagnoli, our first look at the impressive Duomo.

Before taking a taxi back to the hotel for halftime, and our "free" Virtuoso lunch. And what an amazing lunch it was. Our new friend master sommelier Alessandra was working and one glass of wine turned into a bottle.

 

After a recharging nap, we headed out back the Duomo and il Rinascente, which has all the designers but under one roof... much less walking. Thankfully, we didn't start here.

Amazingly, I escaped without a purchase as mercifully, even Mrs. SFO seemed to be tiring. And outside il Rinascente, the Duomo

And yet more shopping.

And great people watching.

Yeah, that looks real sanitary. 

Finally, at around 7:30P we hopped in a taxi and headed back to The Principe with a tired Princess finally announcing "I now know what it means to shop until you drop". 

We freshened up and then headed out for a 9PM dinner at 13 Giugno, a romantic Sicilian restaurant a 10 minute taxi ride away. While the food, wine and grappa were excellent, the highlight of the evening was the live entertainment, where singer/pianist Pippo Scagliola played amazing versions of classic songs like Home and Besame Mucho, and great Sinatra classics like My Way and Strangers in the Night.

After a leisurely breakfast at the Principe, I walked 15 minutes to the Avis office on via Gasparotto, just next Stazione Centrale. Another gorgeous morning in Milano.

Friendly staff at the Avis office, and my pre-reserved BMW 3 series (318d) and GPS was ready.   Back to the Principe to pick up Mrs. SFO and her "loot", and bid adieu to a wonderful staff.   I cannot say enough wonderful things about this great hotel and staff.