The Original Girls’ Trip

Becoming a parent had its joys, but it also meant juggling countless responsibilities. When I found myself with a rare summer of freedom while living in Germany with my kids, I seized the opportunity. I packed up the boys and sent them off to spend the summer with my mom in Biloxi, MS. With my parenting duties temporarily on hold, it was time to plan a memorable adventure.

I decided to browse the Ryanair website for affordable travel options in Europe, and Milan caught my eye with its surprisingly low airfare. Without hesitation, I booked my ticket. The charm of Milan awaited.

But this trip needed companions. I reached out to my gal pals to see who wanted to join me. To my delight, Dee Dee, Keisha, Shaunte, and Davina jumped at the opportunity. After sharing the flight details with my friends, I started the hunt for the perfect hotel.

The Four Points Hotel stood out as an ideal choice due to its convenient location, within walking distance of several attractions. Before embarking on our Milan adventure, I made a pit stop at the base library to pick up my reliable travel guide. The library’s collection of guides never failed to provide us with invaluable insights, suggestions, and helpful maps.

With the planning hat firmly on my head, I gathered the group, and the excitement was palpable. We arrived at the airport with time to spare, even Shaunte, who usually had a penchant for running late. If I recall correctly, I had driven most of us to the airport; the anticipation of the trip had us all a bit giddy.

The flight itself was uneventful, and right on schedule, we touched down in Milan. Well, technically, we landed at Bergamo Airport, a 45-minute drive from the city. We had pre-purchased tickets for a bus that conveniently transported us from the airport to Milan’s main Bahnhof (train station).

It was evening by the time we reached the Bahnhof, and we opted for a taxi to our hotel. To our surprise, within a mere 2 minutes, the driver had whisked us to our destination. A bewildered glance was exchanged – we could have easily walked! Nonetheless, we checked in and settled into our room (yep, all 5 of us in one room).

After dropping our luggage, hunger called, and we ventured out in search of a meal. The late hour made most restaurants unavailable, so McDonald’s it was. We couldn’t help but notice the stern-looking men in black suits providing security – a common sight, we later learned. With our quick meal complete, we returned to the hotel, our first night in Milan under our belts.

The next morning, we eagerly began our exploration of Milan, renowned for its fashion. High-end boutiques beckoned from every corner. In an adventurous spirit, we decided to step into the Armani store for a look around, only to find ourselves surrounded by, yes, men in black suits after trying to take a group photo.

A security guard with impeccable English explained that photos were forbidden to prevent counterfeit production. With a chuckle, he granted us permission for a photo outside the store with its name in the background. We continued our adventure through the city, sharing laughs about our encounter at the store.

Our next stop took us to the impressive Duomo di Milano, one of the world’s largest cathedrals and Milan’s most famous Catholic church. Unfortunately, our attire didn’t meet the requirements for entry, so we contented ourselves with capturing photographs of its exterior.

Following a satisfying lunch, we embarked on our next adventure – a supposed discount outlet store, reachable via the easily navigable metro. However, easy navigation ended when we spent over an hour searching for the elusive store, only to discover it was, to our bemusement, a thrift shop of a unique kind.

Laughter still echoing in our ears, fatigue and hunger led us back to the metro and closer to the hotel. We agreed on a cozy Italian restaurant, where good food and wine fueled our lively conversation until our dinner arrived. My choice, a salad and lasagna, turned out to be the best lasagna I’d ever tasted. With dessert savored, we returned to the hotel to conclude the day.

Our final day in Milan took us to the Scalo Miliano Outlet – a real outlet this time. After a hearty breakfast, we checked out of the hotel, storing our luggage at the bahnhof. The 30-minute train ride offered a mix of conversations and naps, setting the tone for the day’s shopping excursion.

Our taxi ride to the outlet proved a heart-pounding adventure on winding roads. The driver reassured us to stand at a specific spot for our return trip, an arrangement that left us puzzled but willing. We spent hours exploring the outlet, shopping, and enjoying delicious meals.

With our bags in tow, we returned to the designated spot for the taxi pickup, and to our surprise, the driver appeared promptly. He whisked us back to the bahnhof. After arriving back to Milan, we retrieved our luggage. But as fate would have it, we missed the airport bus, sending our hearts racing as we contemplated how to reach our flight in time.

Desperation turned into negotiation, and a daring taxi ride for all of us became our solution. With a grin, the driver urged us to duck if we spotted the police, and he sped through the streets with hair-raising velocity.

Arriving at the airport, we breathed a collective sigh of relief, but another twist awaited. Our flight faced delays, and with work commitments looming, we shared worried glances. Finally, the plane took off, and we landed safely at Hahn airport.

We grabbed our belongings and hopped on the shuttle to reach my car. Soon, we were back home, and the memories of this remarkable girls’ trip to Milan would remain etched in our hearts.