The first few weekends I spent at car shows it was not too exciting for me. I went because he loved them, and that was good enough for me. I found myself much more interested in the people that attended the car shows than in the actual cars at the car shows. I would wander with my husband and his other car-loving friends but my mind would wander aimlessly to anything other than the cars.
I guess my love for car shows began as I began to force myself to pay attention to what was happening around me at the shows. I began to listen to my husband as he tried to teach me all of the important things to know about the various makes and models of the classic cars at the car shows. Instead of ignoring him, I listened and I found that I really liked learning about cars. And the more I looked to the people around me, I found that I liked what I saw in them and I wanted to really be a part of these car shows.
I went out on a limb and bought an old classic car for my husband to restore and then enter in car shows. I have never seen such a surprised but thrilled look on someone's face as on the day that I bought that car for him. He spent the next two years out in our garage fixing up every part of that car. I should have known that I was signing myself up to never see him. It didn't matter though, because he loved it so much.
It was with great pride that he entered his restored car into several car shows in our area. We spent many weekends at these car shows and instead of wandering around the shows, now we were stationed near our car to talk about it with pride and to explain it to other wanderers. I loved those weekends, and I loved feeling the pride that my husband had for his car.
Car shows really are a great way to spend time. Be careful though, because once you start enjoying them you just might get hooked. I did, and I've recently begun working to restore a little beauty of my own to enter in future car shows.
If you are in the mood for a European tourist destination, you should consider the city of Milan in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Milan whose population exceeds 1.3 million (the urban area is well over 5 million) is hardly undiscovered by tourists. Italy's media and finance capital is definitely less tourist infested than many, many other Italian cites. Milan is often considered to be Italy's most European city. Is that a reason not to go visit? On the other hand, Milan is Italy's fashion capital and one of the great fashion capitals of Europe, which is an excellent reason for stopping by. (We'll let you decide which is more chic, Milan or Paris.) You really should consider visiting Milan, as well as other Lombardy destinations, described in companion articles in this series.
Over the millennia Lombardy has been in the hands of numerous invaders including the Etruscans and the Gauls, then the Romans, Franks, and Goths, and finally the French, Spaniards, and Austrians. Did we forget the Lombards? All these invaders left their mark, of course some more and some less. Don't forget the region's history as you tour this impressive city.
We start our Milan tour with the Gothic Duomo (Cathedral) whose ground was broken in 1386 under the first duke of Milan and yet was only finished in time for Napoleon's coronation as King of Italy in 1809. With a capacity estimated to be forty thousand it is Italy's second largest church; only St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome is larger. The immense Milan cathedral boasts 135 marble spires and contains well over two thousand marble statues. Yet in spite of its size and central location those who seek refuge from the outside world (believe me, central Milan hustles and bustles) can usually step inside and find a solitary corner. Believe it or not there has been a church at this prime Milan location since at least the beginning of the Fifth Century.
The Duomo's architecture and art deserve an extended visit. Let's quote Mark Twain in his famous travelogue Innocents Abroad: "The central one of its five great doors is bordered with a bas-relief of birds and fruits and beasts and insects, which have been so ingeniously carved out of the marble that they seem like living creatures -- and the figures are so numerous and the design so complex, that one might study it a week without exhausting its interest...everywhere that a niche or a perch can be found about the enormous building, from summit to base, there is a marble statue, and every statue is a study in itself... [and to sum up] They say that the Cathedral of Milan is second only to St. Peter's at Rome. I cannot understand how it can be second to anything made by human hands."
Right next door to the cathedral is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a Nineteenth Century upscale shopping mall named for the first king of united Italy. Shortly prior to its completion in 1877 the designer fell from scaffolding to his death. Talk about grandiose; the gallery stretches some 640 feet (about 200 meters) from the Cathedral to the Opera House. Its arcade is 96 feet (about 30 meters) high and the octagonal glass dome is considerably higher. The Galleria is one great place for shopping and people watching, but bargains are to be found elsewhere. Should you so desire the Park Hyatt Hotel is right nearby and presumably you could "do" Milan with a four-point landing; the Cathedral, the Galleria, the Hotel, and the Opera House (described next). Don't; there is a lot more to see and do.
To many people the Teatro alla Scala (La Scala Opera House) is another cathedral. Its season runs for about six months, and because there are only 2800 seats you have to scramble for a ticket. La Scala's beauty is matched only by its magnificent acoustics. Needless to say the performances are top of the line. And make sure to visit the Museo Teatrale alla Scala.
Other Milan museums include the Nineteenth Century Museo Poldi-Pezzoli devoted to paintings including Botticelli and Bellini, porcelain, and textiles, the Pinacoteca di Brera (Brera Gallery) whose collection spans the centuries (Fifteenth to Twentieth), and Villa Belgioioso Bonaparte - Museo dell'Ottocento previously known as the Galleria di Arte Moderna. The Fifteenth Century Santa Maria delle Grazie Church (Saint Mary of the Graces) is worth seeing on its own. Its refectory houses a recently restored da Vinci masterpiece, Il Cenacolo, perhaps better known by its English-language name, The Last Supper. Please note that you must reserve well in advance to get a fifteen-minute look at this masterpiece.
Still other Milan museums include the Museo Civico Archeologico (Municipal Archeological Museum, the Museo Nazionale della Scienzo e Technica (National Museum of Science and Technology) with paintings and technical drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana art gallery with the adjoining Biblioteca Ambrosiana. Make sure to visit the Museo Civico de Storia Naturale (Municipal Natural History Museum) along with its adjoining planetarium and Giardini Pubblici (Public Gardens). The latter is extra fun for the little ones with its pony rides, merry-go-round, and miniature train.
What about food? Of Italy's twenty regions Lombardy trails only Emilia-Romagna in food production. Much of the food has a foreign origin, hardly a surprise when you think how often Lombardy fell under outside domination. For example, the Spanish brought saffron and rice, two major components of Milan's saffron risotto. Lombardy may be home to the only buckwheat pasta in all Italy.
Let's suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Risotto alla Milanese (Risotto with Saffron). Then try Costoletta alla Milanese (Veal Chop Milanese Style). For dessert indulge yourself with Panettone (Milanese Christmas Cake). Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.
We conclude by briefly examining Lombardy wine. Lombardy ranks 11th among the 20 Italian regions for both the acreage devoted to wine grapes and for its total annual wine production. This region produces about 62% red and rose and 38% white wine, but there is little rose. There are 15 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Over 47% of Lombardy wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. There are three DOCG wines: the sparkling, pricey Franciacorta, considered a competitor of French Champagne, the red Sforzato di Valtellina, and the red Valtellina Superiore.
No DOC or DOCG wine is produced in the vicinity of Milan. Given its place in the business world one may assume that a lot of Franciacorta is consumed in Milanese restaurants and bars. I recently shared a bottle of rose Franciacorta with my wine tasting group ' and was quite disappointed. I recall that the general consensus was fair to middling, which in no way justified this bubbly's price nor its reputation.
Both Belina Storrey & Levi Reiss are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Belina Storrey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Japan Car, Home Management and Finances. Belina Storrey loves almost as much as she loves her job as a writer for a popular magazine. See. Belina Storrey's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Levi Reiss has sinced written about articles on various topics from Touring Italy, Travel and Leisure and Food and Drink. Over the years Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, and yet he prefers fine Italian, German, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and good company. He knows what dieting is, and is glad that for the time being h. Levi Reiss's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.