EUROPE TRIP 2015 - Flying Qatar Airways from Singapore to MILAN, Italy!

EUROPE TRIP 2015

First stop - MILAN CITY 

Sara Shantelle Lim on Qatar Airways - Business Class seat

EUROPE TRIP 2015 - My whole family and I flew Qatar Airways for the first time from Singapore to Milan, Italy and it was a wonderful experience. While we made ​​our way to Singapore Changi Airport, cousin Enne actually came to the airport to send us off. How sweet of her!

Qatar Airways is dubbed as the "World's Best Airline" and AWARDED "Airline of the Year" in 2015 by Skytrax awards. All the air crew were extremely warm, friendly and had wide smiles on their faces at all times. They were very attentive as one of them actually asked whether she could get me anything to make me feel better as I was sniffling a little. On board all Qatar flights, there is free flow of all kinds of drinks including champagne! The entertainment on board also provided the latest movie releases and I did not feel bored at any point in time on the flight. An Economy air ticket from Singapore to Milan costs around SGD $ 2,000 and a business class air ticket costs around SGD $ 6000. However, do note that we had a short 2.5 hours stopover at Doha's HAMAD International Airport where we get to enjoy shopping and indulge in some delicious food and drinks. HAMAD International Airport is World Class as it is extremely new, modern, clean and most importantly we were surprised to find Luxury boutique brands such as Chanel, Hermes, Bvlgari, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tiffany & Co etc. Secret tip: The Hermes Boutique had several pieces of Lindy handbags and Evelyn handbags in various colors. Prices are extremely attractive as well as it is duty-free or tax-free prices! We enjoyed shopping and bought several duty-free items!

The SG Sisters at DOHA Hamad International Airport

Arrival at MILAN, CITY

                                                           
MILAN, ITALY - Milan is an industrial powerhouse, home to Italy's stock exchange and internationally recognized as one of the world's most important fashion capital. It is the second most populous city of Italy and it is the home of several leading fashion designers which includes Prada, Gianni Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Trussardi etc. I am so lucky to be able to travel to Europe with my whole family and I was incredibly happy to be able to share this memorable experience with my loved ones. We enjoyed sight-seeing, indulged in gourmet food at Michelin starred restaurants and went shopping at all my favorite luxury brand shops! Shopping in Europe is great as prices are much more attractive! My sister Lora and Chris took many wedding photos with various iconic monuments and beautiful architecture building during this trip. They have so many wedding photos taken in different countries already! I am looking forward to my sister Lora's wedding in February 2015 as it is going to be a really exciting wedding featuring all their interesting wedding photos taken in various exotic locations!

Piazza del Duomo "Cathedral Square"

Main city square of Milan and is named after the Duomo Cathedral. 

THE CATHEDRAL MILAN -  MILAN CATHEDRAL

Milan's No.1 Attraction

http://www.duomomilano.it/en/

The SG Sisters at the main entrance of MILAN CATHEDRAL in Milan

MILAN CATHEDRAL (Milan Cathedral) - The Cathedral is the number one tourist attraction in Milan City. It is conveniently located right in the heart of Milan City at Piazza del Duomo also known as the "Cathedral Square" and is open to visitors daily from 8am to 9pm. All of us bought the ticket CATHEDRAL PASS costing EUR $15.50 which includes lift access to the rooftop terraces to enjoy panoramic views of Milan's city. Alternatively, if you prefer to climb to the top by stairs which covers over 200 steps, you can buy a cheaper ticket. The Duomo Cathedral in Milan is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the World, the 5th largest church in the World and the largest church in Italy Which took over 500 years to build. It is famous for its sheer size, its complex architecture and long construction time. It has a total of 136 spires and pinnacles and it is highly recommended to head to the rooftop terrace on top as the view is breath-taking and you get to see the grotesque figures up close.

Take the lift up to the rooftop terrace of The Duomo Cathedral to enjoy panoramic views

Lovely view from the top of the Duomo Di Milano

 Dancing in front of The Duomo Cathedral under the sunlight

VIDEO - THE SISTERS SG inside The Duomo Cathedral 
in Milan, Italy (must watch!)

Inside The Duomo Cathedral - all visitors are to dress modestly by covering up!

Lora Christelle Lim saying a prayer inside The Duomo Cathedral in Milan

Sara Shantelle Lim at the highest peak on the rooftop terrace of The Duomo Cathedral

Family photo with The Duomo Cathedral in Milan

The SG Sisters at The Duomo of Milan Cathedral in Milan

CATHEDRAL purchase your tickets online at its official website at  http://www.duomomilano.it/en/

MUSEUM OF THE CATHEDRAL - "The Cathedral Museum"

Website:  http://museo.duomomilano.it/en/

Lora and the "modellone" architectural model Which is 1:20 stairs to The Duomo Cathedral

MUSEUM OF THE CATHEDRAL - As we bought the "CATHEDRAL PASS" ticket, it included free admission into the Museum Del Duomo situated just beside the Duomo Cathedral. Opened in 1953 by art critic Ugo Nebbia, the Cathedral Museum houses the materials connected to the history and construction of the Duomo Cathedral That are well kept, maintained and preserved. Inside, we were able to see the uniqueness of each individual statue up-close and what really captivated us were the 150 "Gargoyles" which were grotesque looking water sprouts which had a symbolic meaning and purpose Which is to protect the Duomo Cathedral by keeping evil and its forces at bay. Inside the museum, visitors can take a look at the architectural models of the Duomo Cathedral, Tapestries, Paintings, Stained Glass, Sculpture and a special Treasury that houses religious objects. Admission tickets are EUR$2 and more info can be found at their official website at  http://museo.duomomilano.it/en/ . The Cathedral Museum is highly recommended for those who wish to learn more about how the Duomo Cathedral is pieced together with different materials, sculptures, statues and the history in depth about its long period of construction.

Sara Shantelle Lim with an architectural model of The Duomo Cathedral

The SG Sisters inside the Museo del Duomo in Milan

Sara Shantelle Lim inside The DUOMO Cathedral Museum

TEATRO ALLA SCALA

Website -  http://www.teatroallascala.org/en/index.html

Open daily from 9am - 5pm

Tickets cost US $ 7 each

Scala Theatre - One of the most famous Opera House in the World with renowned and world class performances taking place almost every day of the calendar year. As tickets sold out very quickly, it is highly recommended that you purchase your tickets online in advance. It also has a museum which houses precious collection of art and books in the library. With the help of the government, 50 citizens managed to wring the collection of American multimillionaire JP Morgan which was given to Milan city. Over the years, numerous donations and purchases were added to the Sambon collection which is today one of the richest and most envied collection in the World.

Lora Christelle Lim dancing inside the Teatro alla Scala in Milan 

Lora Christelle Lim got the best seats in the house to watch the Teatro all Scala Opera inside

Love the red velvet and gold interiors inside the Teatro alla Scala in Milan

The SG Sisters inside the Teatro alla Scala in Milan

Sara Shantelle Lim entering the library inside the Teatro alla Scala in Milan

Sara Shantelle Lim and one of the World's most expensive art collection in the Teatro alla Scala

Sara Shantelle Lim and one of the World's most expensive art collection in the Teatro alla Scala

Candid shot inside Teatro alla Scala with mummy!

Lora Christelle Lim with custom masterpiece from the opera Turandot by Puccini

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Address: Piazza Duomo, 20123, Milan, Italy

Opening hours: Daily from 9 am-7pm

* Luxury brands shopping mall located beside The Duomo Cathedral

The SG Sisters at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan

GALLERY Vittorio Emanuele II - Located just beside the Duomo Cathedral lies Milan's most magnificent shopping mall designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni anche Which is one of the World's oldest shopping mall. The gallery is named after the first King of the Kingdom of Italy. The beautiful architecture of this shopping mall is decorated with many patriotic symbols as the gallery was constructed during the turbulent times of Italian unification. Right below the central glass dome, the mosaics on the floor depict the coats of arms of Savoy and Italian cities are Represented allegorically: a wolf for Rome, a lily for Florence, a bull for Turin and white flag with red cross for Milan. The ceiling vaults are decorated with mosaics representing Asia, Africa, Europe and America. The shopping mall is always crowded with many tourists who marvel over the brilliant architecture and discerning shoppers who only shop at the finest boutiques. Right in the center lies two powerhouse luxury brands - Prada and Louis Vuitton. The Galleria is anche famous for being home to the oldest restaurants and cafes such as The Savini Restaurant and Caffe Biffi founded in 1857 by Paolo Biffi who is pastry chef to the monarch. We had a lovely time shopping at the Ferrari Store and Mercedes-Benz store buying up several new apparel and various merchandise.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall in Milan, Italy

Beautiful Glass Dome at the Centre of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II 

Sara Shantelle Lim with the Security Police at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan

The SG Sisters went shopping at The Ferrari Store in Milan

Sara Shantelle Lim happy shopping at Mercedes-Benz store in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The SG Sisters at the Vogue Magazines stand in Milan, Italy

RESTAURANT TRUSSARDI SCALA
1 Michelin Star award
http://www.trussardiallascala.com/

RESTAURANT TRUSSARDI SCALA - TRUSSARDI CAFE -  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at this restaurant / cafe AWARDED 1 Michelin star Which is conveniently located beside the Teatro all Scala Opera House in Milan City - Teatro alla Scala. We were dining inside a beautiful glass house with lots of greenery and it provided a lovely escape of bustling Milan city to dine in peace and tranquility. The cod fish was cooked to perfection! Soft and simply melt in our mouths. The lamb rack was anche delicious as the meat was tender and moist. We really enjoyed the crispy cracker bread too Which they served to every table while waiting for the food to arrive. They provided exceptional customer service and food was divine! A highly recommended Michelin starred restaurant for a memorable dining experience! The great thing about visiting Europe during Summer Is that daylight lasts until around 8-9pm so we are incendio have dinner under the sunlight in the glass house. Great way to enjoy the food and the splendid view of bustling Milan City.

VIDEO: THE SISTERS SG dining at Trussardi Restaurant / Cafe - 1 Michelin Star award

VIDEO - Sara Shantelle Lim buying sweet dessert at 
Italian chocolates - Best ice cream ice-cream in Milan

  Chocolates Italian website -  http://www.cioccolatitaliani.it/

BEST ICE CREAM in EUROPE is found in Milan City!

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PARIS - The City Of Love & Lights - Top 5 Attractions in Paris

PARIS - Eiffel Tower

PARIS - The City Of Love & Lights is famously known to be the most romantic place on earth. The capital of France is situated on River Seine in Northern France and French is also known as the language of love. Recently, Paris made headlines when part of the Pont des Arts bridge collapsed due to the massive weight of "Lovelocks" where millions of couples visit Paris, attached padlocks to the bridge and throw the key into the waters as a symbol of everlasting love. Now, the French people are promoting a new campaign to save their lovely city from vandalism and destruction with the message "No Love Locks - Free your Love, Save our Bridges!". More info at http://nolovelocks.com/en/

Cost of Airfare tickets - A flight from Singapore to France costs approximately SGD1500 for a return ticket on Economy Class on Air France. On Singapore airlines, an Economy class ticket would cost approximately SGD2700. The journey takes around 13.5 hours so do bring along some entertainment on board the flight. I usually choose to sleep on my plane ride to rest and arrive at my destination full of energy!

Summer in Paris - The best time to visit Paris is during Summer in the months of July and August where average temperatures are around 25 degrees celsius. Beautiful sunshine for good photo-taking :)

Champs-Élysées - I've fallen in love with Paris the moment I first visited the place as I enjoyed relaxing strolls along the Champs-Élysées. The Avenue des Champs-Élysées in the 8th Arrondissement of Paris is arguably the most famous and beautiful avenue in the world which I totally agree! With its artistic cinemas, luxury boutiques, beautifully arranged gardens and water fountains as well as the famous Arc De Triomphe. The Arc De Triomphe was built to honor the sacrifices made by those who died in the French Revolutionary.

Arc De Triomphe

Top 5 Attractions in Paris

1. Eiffel Tower - The Paris Eiffel Tower is located on the Champ de Mars. The tower is named after its engineer Gustave Eiffel who designed and built it for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which was to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French Revolution. The Eiffel tower is 324 metres tall including its antennas and weigh 10,100 tonnes. The Tower also represents the magic of light. Its sparkling lights, and its beacon shine help to inspire dreams and wonder to all visitors every evening. As France’s symbol in the world, the Eiffel Tower welcomes more than 7 million visitors every year. Buy your tickets online to avoid queues at very reasonable price of EUR15 only. The great thing is that this iconic attraction is open daily from 9am to 12 midnight. I recommend that you go in the day to take spectacular photos like I did below. It was very windy at the top, my sunglasses got blown away to my dismay. Do grab hold of your belongings tightly and be extra careful up the steps. More info at http://www.toureiffel.paris/en.html

2. The Louvre Museum - View the famous Mona Lisa http://www.sgsisters.com/search/label/Louvre

Louvre Museum or Musee du Louvre

3. Notre-Dame de Paris - Also known as "Our lady of Paris" in French, the Notre-Dame is a historic Catholic Cathedral which is highly regarded as a French Gothic architectural masterpiece. It was the first cathedral built on a monumental scale and became the prototype for future cathedrals in France. It is the parish which contains the official chair of the archbishop of  Paris. It also houses first class relics which include the purported Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the True Cross and one of the Holy Nails. It is open daily from 8am-7pm. Free admission. More info at http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/-English-

Notre-Dame de Paris 

4. Sacre-Coeur Basilica - The basilica is designed by Paul Abadie and 6 other architects succeeded him to complete the building. In contrast to the Gothic architecture of the Notre Dame, the basilica's Romano-Byzantine style is inspired by churches such as the Saint Sofia in Constantinople and San Marco in Venice. The Sacre-Coeur Basilica is located right on top of Montmartre Hill and the climb up was a good exercise. On the way up, there are also little cafes and pop up stalls to explore. Do try the famous French Crepes! Open daily from 6am-1030pm. Free Admission. More info at http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/

Sacre-Coeur Basilica 

5. LIDO - With 23 sets, 600 glamorous costumes, a real ice rink and beautiful performers, Lido is a spectacular French Cabaret show with 70 artists on stage since 1946. Lido is supposedly better than Moulin Rouge as it is of better class and less touristy! More info at http://www.lido.fr/us/

Lido Cabaret Show

Lasserre Restaurant - 2 Michelin Stars - I was recommended to watch Lido instead of Moulin Rouge after dining at the famous Lasserre restaurant at Champs-Elysees. Many VIPs such as Audrey Hepburn, Salvador Dali and Marc Chagall have dined at this restaurant. It is a memorable dining experience with a private lift to the terrace and a personal butler. Excellent fine-dining ambience and the cuisine was absolutely delicious. Chef Christophe Moret and Claire Hetzler utilizes the freshest and finest quality produce to create sensational dishes to impress diners for the burst of flavours to satisfy the palate. Dining in a luxurious and in a private intimate setting was relaxing and memorable. A highly recommended restaurant! More info at http://www.restaurant-lasserre.com/uk/le-restaurant-lasserre.php#index.php

Lasserre Restaurant - 2 Michelin Stars

Lasserre Restaurant - 2 Michelin Stars

Lasserre Restaurant - 2 Michelin Stars

Lasserre Restaurant - 2 Michelin Stars

Disneyland Paris - Last but not least, if you have extra time, do visit Disneyland Paris! However, in my honest opinion, Disneyland Tokyo is much better than Disneyland Paris as they have better quality performances, newer buildings and more spectacular fireworks. More info on Disneyland Paris can be found here at http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/index.html

Disneyland PARIS

OPEN SECRET: Shopping at Luxury brands such as Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo, Loewe, Gucci, Louis Vuitton etc. are tourists favourite as handbags are definitely much cheaper in Europe ! Kindly note that some brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton has enforced the one-bag-per-passport rule so each person can only buy 1 handbag to take home. This is to prevent cash-strapped tourists from purchasing everything in sight as to prevent the ugly sight of bare, empty shelves and to protect the brand's image. As Coco Chanel once said "I love luxury. And luxury lies not in richness and ornateness but in the absence of vulgarity. Vulgarity is the ugliest word in our language. I stay in the game to fight it."

Read about Sara Shantelle Lim's France Paris Trip - CLICK HERE.

♥ Lora Christelle Lim ♥

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