Piacenza Italy - hanging with Davide at home

Took the train about an hour south and spent the day with Davide and his mother at his home town Piacenza - lovely city.
We didn't make it to all 33 churches but hit several.  We also had a great tour a very interesting castle settled in the middle of the city.
Great food, fun conversation and an home grown Italian tour guide - a perfect day.  And a great Mom.

Milan Italy - Interesting mix of newer and older

So much of Milan was destroyed in WW2.  So much of the city has a newer, and not necessarily that interesting.  But when you get the spots that survived it is a very stunning and interesting place.
The pope arrived for the weekend - he seems to show up at the same places I am over the years.....Chicago, Sydney and now Milan.  Much of the city will be shut down over the weekend...so we are heading to the countryside.