Italy - My first international destination

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Oh, Bella Italia. What a country! No matter where you are from, you know it and it is on your bucket list. Italy was the first foreign country I've visited when I was 8 years old. We went to Rome. Luckily I throw a coin in Fontana di Trevi, and I went back later, many times, so I have some recent memories :)

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When it comes to Italy, there is much to be seen and tasted. So here I will mention those places I ve been to. So Rome, the city of 7 hills. Let's start here. It is of course a must-see city, full of history, loud and welcoming. Rome is a great city break destination. Besides the well-known attractions such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon or Fontana di Trevi, Rome has more corners waiting to be visited. Go to the Orange Gardens, up of the Aventine hill for a great view over the city. Hike the Palantine hill to see another Roman Forum which gets overlooked by crowds. Try to get lost, on purpose, and just walk outside the tourists paths to get a real taste of Italy. Visit the Quartiere Coppede, (the smallest quarter in Rome) to see its incredible architecture, plus not many tourists know about it. 

Of course, once you are in Rome, cross off your list another country, Vatican. This tiny country located inside the city of Rome, is the home of Pope. Visit the St Peter's Basilica. Better buy your tickets in advance or wake up really early to skip the queue. Definitely go up on the Dome's balcony for a great panoramic view of Rome.  

Another tourist spot in Italy is Venice, this island city is very romantic and attracts people from all over the world. Sure thing, make a tour in a gondola while learning its history from your gondolier. Visit the main square, walk the small alleys while eating a gelato. When I first went to Venice you could feed the pigeons, but later it was banned, so do not do it, to not annoy anyone :))

I said Venice is romantic, but what about Verona, the city of love? I really loved this place, though crazy busy, Verona is a nice city, home of Juliet house. Before you go to "visit her" and touch her chest for a photo (it says it brings good luck), make sure you write her a letter. If you watched the movie "Letter to Juliet" maybe you think it is not real. Well, you can send mail, email or leave a letter to her yourself, just address it to: Juliet, Verona, Italy. The volunteers will reply you :) 

Very picturesque, Florence, is a city you should see. See it from above, from Piazzale Michelangelo. Enjoy a great gelato in the oldest ice cream shop in Florence: Vivoli Gelato. See the city from a boat by joining a tour. 

When I was 14 I went to Italy on a school-trip to Rimini. It is popular summer destination, with large sandy beaches, and also quite close to other tourist spots. If you're around here, jump in a car, and visit another country, San Marino. It claims to be the world's oldest republic. This microstate within Italy is located on the Mount Titano. Walk up its hilly streets and visit the Three Tower Castle, the view on top is stunning.

The leaning tower of Pisa is another place for an Instagram picture. Of course, if you can take a picture without another hundred people in the shot :)) 

Going up north, Italy still holds secrets :) Maybe my favourite destination within Italy is Lago di Garda and the nearby Lago di Como. You definitely heard of Como, it is famous because of the many celebrities living hear. On the other land, Lago di Garda is a tourist resort. Offering incredible scenery from the lake but also from shore, it is worth a visit, or even few days-stay. You can visit the Medieval Castle, Rocca Scaligera in Sirmione, for a view over the lake. You can take a cable car up to Monte Baldo, escape the city, enjoy the nature, overlook the lake. You can get here by foot too, and regain your energy with a warm meal at the restaurant on top. If you would like some fun and adrenaline, go to Gardaland, the amusement park. Lots of fun!

Since I have relatives living in Italy, I, of course, visited them in the city of Brescia. It is a quiet and nice city, giving you the opportunity to enjoy more the local vibes. This would be my greatest recommandation: escape the touristy cities, and take a few days in the countryside, or a small town. Get to see how they live! Drink your espresso at the cafeteria and just enjoy the loud conversations in this romantic language. 
 

We got to my favourite part of this blog: FOOD! It is impossible to talk about Italy and to not think of pasta, pizza or gelato. Though I mentioned gelato few times already, I will do it again. Eat as much ice cream as you can. In the end you are in Italy just for a holiday. Forget about carbs and micronutrients! Enjoy all the carbs! Try some cannelloni (stuffed pasta), treat yourself with some cannoli (a local pastry stuffed with cream, try the pistachio cream), go light with fish and seafood, or a bowl of minestrone (a vegetable soup).  

Bella Italia! Though I ve been there several times, there is much more to see. I would love to visit: Milan, Cinque Terre, Torino, Napoli, Bari, Sardinia, Sicily... just to mention few....  

What about you? What did you visit in Italy? Have you been to Vatican and San Marino? Let me know in a comment :)

That's it for now! Take care and see the world!