Travel is never merely about ticking off locations on a map; it’s about experiences, memories, and even misadventures. Our return to Milan was an opportunity to make new memories and recreate old ones, not a nostalgic homecoming. It was all blended together well. What began as a proud parent’s excursion to witness my child’s graduation became a memorable page that was populated with the city beat and an ageless cautionary tale that I shall never soon forget.
Milan a city with modern fashion studios beside centuries old churches and every corner of which seems to vibrate with restraint elegance, has captivated me for years.
But, of course, the deeper, more personal reason that we came was to see my son graduate at Domus Academy, a name that has come to represent excellence in design in Italy and the world at large.
Your pride never falters regardless of how many times you see your child walk across the stage. The graduation was conducted in an upscale venue.
There was a feeling of celebration and pride as students from all corners of the world arrived with their families and their dreams in hand. It was an experience beyond words to see my child walk up to receive his degree in front of intelligent people from all over the world.
For him, it was not just a milestone moment; it was a quiet confirmation of every little choice that he made, every late night, and every agonising phone call over time zones. To see our son grow, bloom, and thrive in a place that now felt painfully familiar was a personal milestone for us as well.
Sharing the rhythm of local life is one of the joys of the return to a city. Rather than stick to touristic conventions, we preferred to experience Milan as its inhabitants. At the local café, mornings began with espresso or cappuccino while the Milanese were waiting at the counter, nodding and greeting one another with Buongiornos.
Getting about the town was a pleasure as we traveled between districts courtesy of the Milan tram service.
Whether in the bohemian character of Brera or the splendour of the Duomo, a city can briefly feel like home when you wander the designer shops of Via Monte Napoleone, spend leisurely afternoons with locals at Parco Sempione, scavenge through market stalls, or savour a gelato or panini on a deserted piazza.
Of course a trip to Milan would not be complete without a glance at the stunning view of the city’s renowned Duomo.
No Milanese structure is allowed to be taller than the Madonnina of the Duomo. It took six centuries before the Milan Duomo was finally built. The largest organ in Italy is found in the main altar of the Duomo. It possesses a nail claimed to be from the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Even on a return visit, you stand in wonder at its gilded frontage and gothic spires.
We managed to fit in the city’s other timeless attractions, such as a glimpse of the lavish Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and a visit to Sforzesco Castle. Whether it’s the third, fourth, fifth time you visit, the city’s mix of art, history, and modern energy never fails to astound.
Being in the world fashion capital, Milan, naturally involves some decadent shopping. The city has treasures to appeal to every taste, from high-street fashion to tiny artisan jewels. We shopped in top-end boutiques in Brera, paraded along the hectic Corso Buenos Aires, and couldn’t resist being enchanted by the top-end boutiques along the Quadrilatero d’Oro.
The chance to feel the rhythm of a city’s daily life by riding metros, buses, and trams with locals on board as they commute to work, home, or school is one of the experiences we love about traveling like locals.
It makes you observe a place differently, off the tourist path and guided tours. This time, however, one such ride took an unexpected twist. We got onto a tram in on a beautiful morning with the purpose to alight close to Duomo. Office workers, students, and some other tourists were the other passengers on the comfortably packed tram.
A middle-aged woman greeted my wife with banter as we found our seats. In halting English, she inquired about our hometown, length of stay, and other such queries. It seemed like the friendly, warm banter you occasionally get when you go out and mix with people. In retrospect, however, the entire conversation was a diversion. Finally, the woman bid us good-bye and alighted from the tram. We did not realise my wife’s purse had been stolen.
The initial shock was followed by annoyance and the depressing sense that one had been outwitted. It was a typical travel lesson be extra cautious in new places, even if you believe you’re fitting in and traveling wisely.
We refused to let the strange encounter take hold of the pleasure of the trip. It became just another story, reminding us of how unpredictable travel can be and how even mishaps can add richness to your memories.
In spite of the debacle, Milan left us with more good than bad: memories of significant events in our lives, plenty of cultural experiences, and the reassurance of a city that is like a familiar friend. The robbery, as infuriating as it was, added to our holiday story and a lesson we will regale over dinner and on future excursions.
Would I return to Milan a fourth time? Yes. They enjoy the same passion for a city that is able to balance old-world elegance with new-world dynamism, only perhaps with a bit more wisdom and discretion. For in the end, travel is about experiencing real moments, not hypothetical ones.
Musing of a travelling Bong 
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