Milan Mischief

We were so sad to leave the Dolomites behind. The resort staff dropped us off at Bolzano Station for our direct 3 hour train to Milan. All good things had to come to an end, including good weather! Today was the day the sky had seemingly decided to unleash all the rain. It didn't just rain, it poured! The very short distance that we had to be out in the elements to reach our hotel from Milano Centrale was enough to get us and our backpacks soaked. Thank goodness for hard side suitcases!

What a shame the weather was so lousy, I guess it was time to shop! There were some purchases made and Lara had a ball at Kiko Milano. Apparently I truly did not understand how good it was and how well priced the products were relative to what we get in Australia. My credit card was exercised well! We chilled in our hotel for the rest of the day. 

Although there was still some lingering physical exhaustion from our active adventures, I feel mentally refreshed. It was rewarding to be challenged and come through the other side with a great sense of achievement. I loved sharing the experiences with family and friends. Surprisingly, I enjoyed making new friends. For those who know me well, my preference is generally NOT to make conversation with strangers as I find small talk stressful! So this was definitely a big step forward for me. So thank you Italy for another wonderful 4 weeks. 

Here's to good sleep for our long journey home tomorrow!

The big and busy Milano Centrale

Goodbye Dolomites!

Not long after we got on, it started to pour and it did NOT stop

No judgement! It was wet everywhere and it happened to be right where we were...

Our last night in Italy...

View from our room back to the station

Active Relax

This post has one purpose and that is to formally document that I did read the book that I dragged all over Italy for the past 4 weeks! Thank you my dear friend Heather for trusting me with your book in my carry-on. For the record, I thoroughly enjoyed the read!

Savouring every last moment of the mountain vibe

Still going through the non-alcoholic spritz options!

Definitely recommend this book!

Parmesan veloute

Looks sweet on the outside but super tart passionfruit on the inside!

Alpe Di Siusi

 

The meadows of Alpe di Siusi

Our sleep in didn't eventuate as we wanted to get something in our bellies before our pilates session at 0900. The selection for breakfast was extensive considering it was just a continental spread. I had not seen that many different varieties of jams, honeys, cereals & breads. One may have slightly over indulged...

A selection of activities were included as part of our package. One of those was pilates. We booked it overnight and realised this morning that we were the only 2 who signed up. Lucky us to get a private session with Sabine. Or not! As there were only two of us in the class, there was no where to hide. It was a difficult session and now I could add sore core to my list of complaining body parts.

Buffet breakfast

The most astonishing array of honeys. This one is dandelion!

Cooked food selection made to order

Multivitamin juice

I love juicing stations!

The Alpe di Siusi is Europe's highest Alpine plateau. It would be criminal to even take a peek seeing as we were at the foot of it. Thus straight after pilates, we ascended up in the gondola with plans to hike to a viewpoint. We lasted all of one hour before returning back down the mountain to the comforts of our resort. The shame!

From there, it was nap, swim, lunch, read, nap and dinner. So let's end the post here!

Love the gondola

The plateau was large and flat enough for roads and horse & carriages

Ah... this is more like it!

Non-alcoholic mandarin aperol

Potato ice-cream and vegetables! I liked it. Lara didn't

Lamb and pork combo. I don't usually pick lamb as my first choice but this was yummy

Bring Back The Bougie

At 10am we were picked up for our transfer to Sensoria Dolomites, an adults only all-inclusive retreat marketed as "luxury for the soul". We were more than ready for some bougie and a change of pace for the next 3 nights. The initial impression, if I were to be honest, was a little underwhelming. The exterior entrance where one pulls up looks small and cramped with buildings next door and the gondola station visible. The check-in process was also not as smooth as I would have expected for a property billing itself as luxury. We were welcomed and invited to sit down for our welcome drink but was then left there for quite a while. When I enquired at the front desk if there was perhaps as misunderstanding, the staff member was rather defensive. But yes, we were supposed to get a tour of the facilities and a run-down of what is available. After the initial hiccup, everything was lovely. Once you're in the property, the setting really was very calming, with welcoming but clean line decor. It did feel like a little oasis of sorts. We had walked around a little as the initial plan was to explore the village, but we dropped that to enjoy the resort instead. This post and the following ones will be brief to spare you the list of places where I took a nap...

The photos are in somewhat random order so apologies!

The drinks/bar area

Our welcome drink. Non-alcoholic aperol. I was glad to see a good selection of non-alcoholic offerings beyond soft drinks and juice

Excellent tea selection

Hey I know that brand! Their choice of toiletries

Extensive library

And other reading material

It looked cool to have a library arranged in colour...but I have serious questions about practicality. It was a pain to look for books! Especially when the selection included German, Italian and English books

The interior was a vast contrast to the exterior

I love all the quiet relaxing nooks and corners

My favourite. Pillow, blanket, table, view but protected from wind 

Add a bit of Chopin and the sound of gurgling water...Bob's your uncle

More spaces

Our room

Our view from our balcony

Malcolm Albany would be jealous of these robes

Slippers to use and then take home

Our bathroom

Mini bar is included. One of many local apple juice varieties

One of the included activities. I'm so intrigued...

The "buffet" area. This is "healthy snacks" served from 2-5pm. Really just a name for late lunch

Extensive selection

Lots of sweet and savoury options

Dinner is a 5 course meal. 6 if you count the bread like they did

Non-alcoholic grapefruit aperol

"False" tomato was what was listed on the menu

Cauliflower veloute

Potato mezzelune. A dish which I did not like!

Hake. Almost Asian fusion

Amazing dessert. Mango cheesecake with coconut gelato