Italian Adventure

I returned this past weekend from my first travel break which included: 1 day in Milan, 3 in Rome, and 2 in Florence. I saw so many stunning and unbelievable things in this short period of time that my head is still spinning. I met some great people as I was traveling alone and staying in Hostels. It was very liberating to be on my own, and to meet other people who were choosing to do the same thing. Here are my tips and tricks that I learned while in Italy:

Milan

1. Milan is stunning when you come up from the Duomo metro stop. 2 hours later, it won’t be.

2. Whenever you have the chance to eat Italian gelato, DO IT. Don’t question and don’t look at price.

3. “Retardo” is “delayed” in Italian. Learned this one when my flight to Rome was delayed for 2 hours (getting me in around 1am when no public transportation runs).

4. Don’t anger Jupiter (the Roman God of rain). You will regret it when you want to keep looking up to see magnificent works of architecture.

Mass led by the Archbishop in the Milan Duomo

Rome

5. The word that comes to mind: magical. So much beauty in one city.

6. Absorb as much art and history as you can into your mind. If you don’t know something about a place (especially the ancient sites) get a guide. Made the Colosseum and Palentine Hill much more interesting.

7. When you can’t walk anymore, repeat #2

8. Go into every random little church you stumble upon. The treasures of this city are not all found in expensive museums (though you should go to those too).

9. 10 min naps in random places are sometimes necessary, particularly when spending hours in the Vatican Museum

10. St. Peter’s will change your life

Courtyard of the Oldest Gelato Factory in Rome

Top of the St. Peter’s Dome

St. Peter’s Cathedral

Still not sure what this is. There was a long line for it. The guy taking the picture was very amused.

Florence

11. Sometime between 4-6pm, find a spot on the river, and sit in the beautiful late-afternoon sun. The buildings seem to glow and life instantly seems perfect.

12. Michelangelo plaza (which overlooks the city) it well worth the climb

13. Traveling alone means meeting a host of very interesting, and amazing, people, going at your own pace, and gaining independence. I would highly recommend doing it.

14. Going to Italy means forever being addicted to true Italian food. No going back now.

Duomo of Florence

View from Michelangelo Plaza