Day eighteen and we were set to move on from Milan - which we were quite happy about. Milan has beautiful fashion and design, however if your not there to shop or even have the space for your purchases then it's not that great. Everybody in Milan dresses very nicely so we did feel a little excluded from the crowd.

After a 35 minute bus trip to the station with our bags on our backs we decided to aim for the 1.20pm train to Stresa.

While we waited for the train I was keen to buy a jacket as I didn't bring one and I am thinking that by the time we get to Switzerland they might be expensive.

So as much as Ryan wasn't happy shopping I finally was able to buy one from Zara of course. Lucky to get one really because it's all summer stuff now so there wasn't many on offer. I am very happy with the purchase its good looking, waterproof, has a hood, good button up pockets and it even has a warmer insert that you can take out if you want it to be a lighter jacket. So after Ryan cracked it even more when we didn't make our 1.20pm train we had to wait a little longer until 2.47pm.

(Ryan - We did travel back to the centre of Milan to look for one and visited a lot of shops and then she bought it from the first shop right back at the station!)

Whilst sitting on the train waiting to go, opposite us was a mother, her 4 year old son and grand mother. Nonna wasn't coming on the train trip and when she got off the train and left him, the poor little guy couldn't handle it. It took the poor mother a good half hour to calm him down. He did nothing but scream for his nonna and cry. Snacks, water, and even nonna's voice through the telephone didn't help.

For us the headphones went in and Ryan and I spoke through song names as he still hadn't forgiven me for missing the original train. Once the little boy was calm Ryan had fun pulling faces with him.

The ride into Stresa was another scenic trip. Walking down the hill the first thing you see is Lake Maggiore. Stunning scenes and very happy to be in a little town with fewer people and little traffic.

Everything in Stresa is so immaculate compared to everywhere else we have been so far. The gardens are so unbelievably well maintained and beautiful.

Got to our B&B and met the lovely house owner who spoke pretty good english and was very helpful. The place was all decked out in art deco furniture and paintings. Our room was in a little upstairs attic and was great. Good bed, nice sheets and a gorgeous view.

Went for a walk to book a scenic tour for the next day and then just walked and relaxed along the waterfront.

Went to dinner at a nice and reasonably priced restaurant and was able to not have pizza or pasta for a change.

Headed in for an early night.