Our 2025 trip to Italy began in Milan with a bespoke itinerary created for us by Phil~italy. Phil Micali has a team of experts in Italy ( Teresa, Liliana, and Pam ) who created the itinerary and recommended lodging, food, and excursions. Just before the trip, Phil met with us and reviewed everything, so there were no surprises. Phil~italy also puts everything on a phone app for you, ensuring a seamless and stress-free travel experience. Train tickets, museum tickets, and restaurant reservations with times make your trip seamless. They also create chats so that you can contact them for any reason at any time!
When booking with Phil~italy mention Italian Roots and Genealogy
Of course, on our first day, we were jet-lagged and just went for something to eat. We found a Crazy Pizza down the block. Phil~italy found us a great apartment to stay for four nights: Easyhomes—Brera Luxury Suites Via Varese 12, Milan City Center, 20121 Milan, Italy Phone: +39 02 3675 4215. It was spacious, with a washing machine, a terrace, and much more.
On day two, we were off to Duomo. We had tickets to fast-track through some lines with our guide. I did not know until the tour that some of my distant relatives were involved in building the church. This unexpected historical connection added a layer of depth to our visit. My 19th great-grandfather, Bernardo Visconti, the Lord of Milan, was not nice. He was a despot and levied high taxes on the Milanese; he was eventually deposed by his nephew, Galeazzo, in 1385, imprisoned, and died, presumably by poison. This led to the church’s building by Galaezzo and his cousin Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo, another distant relative.
The Duomo ( Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary ) itself is just incredible. It is constructed from marble from a mine owned by the Visconti family and is one of only two buildings that uses this marble. It took six centuries to complete, from 1386 to 1965. You can also tour the site of the original church, which is just below and to the front of the current church and clearly marked on the piazza out front.
After the Duomo we lucked out and picked a great restaurant in the Gallaria, unfortunately I don’t remember the name, but maybe you can find from the photo. After Lunch we toured La Scala, which was pretty interesting even if you are not a ballet fan. Finally we met a knew friend Luca and had another Spritz to end the day.
Our daughter and her fiance arrived the next day and after getting them settled and a nap we headed to Osteria Cavallini for dinner.
Day three we had tickets for Sforzesco Castle built by one of my great-grandfathers.
The Sforzesco Castle was originally built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. It was constructed on the remains of a 14th-century fortress and turned into a grand Renaissance court. Over the centuries, it was expanded and used by various ruling powers — Spanish, French, and Austrians — even serving as a military barracks.
One last note, the original Eataly was only a short walk from our apartment!
The Journey Home 2023 — Bari
Click here to join out Facebook group Ancient ruins just down the street Halfway through our trip found us in Bari. We took the train from Taranto, about 90 minutes and very reasonable at about 9 Euros per person. The train was spotless inside and out and very comfortable. We could have walked from the train to our B & B, but it’s good that we did not as we would have gotten lost in
Τhe Journey Home – Day 2 – Naples
Click here to join out Facebook group One of the things I really wanted to try was the Frecciarossa fast train from Rome to Naples, and in a sense we did try it. When we arrived at the station I noticed that there were a lot of delays up to 60 minutes and increasing. That being said our train was not showing any. We were due to leave at 4 PM and our train was
The Journey Home — Day 1 — Rome
https://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/99662202-F1C7-4940-8D8E-01C538A49B17.mov Click here to join out Facebook group So after seven days finally a bit of time to write a blog about day one in Rome. BITN booked us into the Floris Hotel on Via Nazionale. Very convenient and about a ten minute walk from the Trevi Fountain, if you go in the right direction. Make a left out of the hotel. If you make a right you are just two minutes from the Metro
